DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

“The candy bar you planned to eat on the way home from the grocery will always be at the bottom of the bag.” — Murphy’s Law extended

Unlucky Louie blames his bad results on bad luck despite all the evidence. When he played today’s

3NT in a penny game, West led a spade from his worthless hand, trying to hit East’s long suit.

Louie played low from dummy and East took the queen and returned a spade. Louie next led a heart to his ace and let the 10 of clubs ride.

East won and led a third spade. Louie had only seven tricks, and when he led a diamond, East took the ace and two spades. Down one.

“Murphy strikes,” Louie sighed.

Louie should win the first spade, lead a heart to his ace and finesse in clubs. When East wins, he has no good return; a heart or spade will cost a trick. If East exits with a club, Louie forces out the ace of diamonds, winning three clubs and at least six tricks in the other suits.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ Q9752 ♥ Q102 ◆ A97 ♣ K 7. Your partner opens one diamond, you bid one spade and he raises to two spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: To bid four spades would be reasonable, especially if partner promises four-card support for his raise. But if he raises with three-card support in an otherwise suitable hand or opens shapely hands that are light in high cards, you might settle for a try for game: 2NT or three spades.