DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

A 4- 4 trump fit may provide an extra trick but may prove tenuous. The missing trumps may break 4- 1, and even if they break 3- 2, declarer may need to play with care.

Today’s South lands at four hearts on a4- 4 fit. He did well to bid two hearts; if he rebid two spades, North would pass. South ruffs the second diamond and must set up his spades while maintaining trump control.

South starts by leading a LOW trump. West wins and leads another diamond, and South ruffs and takes the A- K of spades. He next cashes the ace of trumps and ruffs a spade in dummy.

South can then lead a club to his king and run the spades. When West ruffs and leads a diamond, declarer ruffs with dummy’s last trump and returns a club to the ace to finish the spades.

The play has pitfalls. To lead the ace and a low trump, for example, would let West cash a second trump — and then a diamond. If South tries to ruff a spade without drawing exactly two trumps, he loses an extra trump trick. DAILY QUESTION You hold: ♠K 7 6 5 3 2 ♥A 9 7 4 ♦ 5 ♣ AK. Your partner opens one diamond, you bid one spade, he rebids two diamonds and you try two hearts. Partner then bids three clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: The bidding hasn’t developed well, but you must go on. Bid three spades, completing a picture of your 6- 4 pattern and a good hand. With a weak hand KQ10 5 3 2, J 9 7 4,5, Q3, you would hit the brakes by rebidding two spades at your second turn. South dealer Both sides vulnerable