FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

I was in the club lounge when a kibitzer came in from the penny game shaking his head. “Joe achieved a new personal best,” he told me. “He went down three at a cold vulnerable game, trying for an overtrick. And he was doubled.”

Joe Overberry thinks it’s nobler to go down in pursuit of overtricks than to make his bid. His partners dread seeing him across the table. Against four spades doubled, West led the king of hearts, and Joe ruffed in triumph. He took the A-K of trumps and led the jack. Alas, West won, and East showed out. Joe ruffed the next heart and drew trumps. That left him with none, and when he led a club, West took the ace — and four more hearts. Worse “It could have been worse,” North said. “The man could have redoubled.”

“If trumps break 3-3,” Joe growled, “I make an overtrick.”

After Joe takes the top trumps, he should lead a club. He ruffs West’s heart return and runs his minor-suit winners. He loses two trumps and a club but keeps control. Daily Question You hold: Spades 5 Hearts 9 8 5 4 Diamonds A K J 6 2 Clubs K J 3. You open one diamond, and your partner bids one spade. What do you say?

Answer: This is all partner’s fault. If the oaf had the decency to respond one heart, you would have had an easy raise. Over one spade, you have no good bid. Some players would rebid two diamonds, treating the good five-card suit as a six-carder. I would choose a bid of 1NT, which will be best if partner holds A 8 7 4 2, A 10 3 2, 4 3, 4 2. North dealer Both sides vulnerable