DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Numbers don't lie, but they may not stand up either -- if subjected to careful analysis.

At today's 3NT, South won the third spade -- East threw a heart -- and led the queen of clubs for a finesse. East won and shifted to a heart, giving South a numerical problem. South had eight tricks and could get one more if the heart finesse won or if the diamonds broke 3-3, but he couldn't try both chances. He chose to finesse, and West took the king and ran the spades.

"The numbers were on my side," South said. "The heart finesse would win 50 percent of the time. A 3-3 diamond break was only 36 percent." Numbers don't lie -- or do they? South's math was correct; his play was misguided. After he takes the ace of spades, he should cash the ace, queen and king of diamonds. When the diamonds break 3-3, South finesses in clubs and has nine tricks even when the finesse loses. If diamonds broke 4-2, South would know he needed the heart finesse if the club finesse lost. DAILY QUESTION You hold: S 7 4 H J 9 2 D A Q 6 2 C A 10 9 4. Your partner opens one spade, you respond two clubs, he bids two hearts and you try 2NT. Partner then bids three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner suggests five cards in each major suit and promises no extra strength. Nevertheless, raise to four hearts. Your prime values in the minor suits will be helpful opposite his two-suiter. If you held a hand such as 7 4, K 9 2, K 9 6 2, K Q 9 4, you would pass.