DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

For a fun holiday gift, consider a bridge book. David Bird's series about the bridge-playing monks of St. Titus and Victor Mollo's "Menagerie" books are sheer delights.

For a stocking stuffer, try the brilliant Jeff Chen's "Bridge Crosswords," 52 bridge-themed puzzles. One features my column!

Today's North was Grapefruit, my club member who has only cross words for everyone. At six hearts, South took the ace of spades, king of diamonds and A-K of clubs. He threw dummy's last club on the ace of diamonds and ruffed a club with the six of trumps.

Alas, East overruffed and led a trump, South had only 11 tricks, and Grapefruit said that if South's brains were dynamite, he couldn't blow his nose. Starting at Trick Six, South must crossruff with six high trumps. At the end, he'll be sure of one more trick from dummy's six and his seven.

"Bridge Crosswords," $12.95 plus shipping. See baronbarclay.com or call (800) 274-2221. Get a free catalog of books and products. DAILY QUESTION You hold: S 3 H A Q 9 7 D A J 6 4 2 C A K 4. Neither side vulnerable. The dealer, at your right, opens three spades. You double, the next player raises to four spades and your partner bids five hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: The temptation to bid slam is strong, but your partner's hand is unknown. He may have bid five hearts because he thought it might be a cheap sacrifice against four spades. Pass and be satisfied to make game.