DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

At match-point duplicate, declarer must often assess the contract. In a "normal" contract -- one that will be reached at every table -- he may take risks for an overtrick. Otherwise, he may play safe.

In today's deal (reported by Barry Rigal) from the Open Pairs at the ACBL Spring Championships, South's contract is normal. After he draws trumps, he can force out the ace of diamonds to assure 10 tricks. Should he instead try for five club tricks and a diamond discard, risking the loss of a club, a diamond and two spades?

At IMPs or Chicago, South should safeguard the contract. At matchpoints, maybe he should cash the ace of clubs. When East-West follow with the five and four, South might judge that clubs are breaking 2-2. If West had a low singleton, he might have led it; with Q-J-4, he might have led the queen of clubs.

On the ace of clubs, a sly West might try to deflect South from the winning play by dropping the queen. Then South would have to think again. DAILY QUESTION You hold: S Q7HA107DQJ2CAK87 2. You open 1NT, and your partner responds two clubs (Stayman). You bid two diamonds, and he tries two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: In "Standard" methods, partner has shown game interest with five cards in hearts. Though the value of your diamond honors is uncertain, you have heart support, top values in clubs and a possibly useful queen of spades. Raise to three hearts or, if vulnerable, four hearts.