DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

If a contract is “normal” — it will be reached at every table — declarer must take his best play for the maximum number of tricks. But if merely making the contract will yield a top score, he can play safe.

Today’s North-South bid to 6NT, a fine contract to reach at matchpoints. Both players have bid boldly to reach slam with 28 points. Few if any North-Souths will get to 6NT. Then West leads the 10 of diamonds, giving South a second diamond trick. So South doesn’t need seven club tricks; six will be enough.

At the second trick, South should execute a safety play in clubs: He leads low from his hand, and when West follows low, South plays dummy’s five. If East could win, South would have the rest; when East discards, South can take the ace, lead a heart to his hand, set up the clubs and claim.

South will be sure of plus 1,440. He would always beat the pairs at game plus pairs who get to six clubs.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ K753 ♥ A10743 ◆ Q7 ♣ A 5. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he rebids two diamonds. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your best contract is uncertain. You may even have a slam if partner has a perfect minimumsuchasA6,2,AJ108 6 5 2, K 7 6. Bid two spades, forcing, to get more input. If partner bids 2NT next, raise to 3NT. If he takes a threeheart preference, you will bid four hearts or 3NT.