DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Cy the Cynic defines a habit as something we do without thinking — which, according to Cy, explains why so many people have so many of them. Today’s South had a habit he needed to do something about.

North-South’s bidding was questionable at best — not because anyone acted from force of habit but due to shaky judgment. South was barely worth his game-invitational jump to two spades since his queen of clubs was probably a wasted card for play at spades.

I suppose North’s hand called for a move toward game, but North should have had four-card support to raise to three spades. A three-club cue bid would have been better. South surely should have tried 3NT at his second turn, reaching a game that would have been unbeatable.

Against four spades, West led the king of clubs and continued astutely with the ace and then a third club. South won with the 10 and led the jack of trumps.

When West took the ace and led a fourth club, South was stuck. If dummy discarded, East would ruff; if instead South ruffed in dummy, West would get his queen of trumps. Down one either way.

South was one of those players who are in the habit of drawing trumps first and worrying later — a dangerous habit to acquire. After South wins the third club, he makes his game by taking three rounds of diamonds to discard his queen of clubs. He cashes the K-A of hearts and leads the jack of trumps.

If West takes the ace and leads another club, South can ruff in his hand — overruffing East if necessary — pick up the trumps and take the rest.

West dealer

N-S vulnerable