DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

“You need to be careful what you wish for,” Cy the Cynic told me.

“Like the woman who wanted to be reincarnated as a singer,” I said, “and came back as a sewing machine.”

“I’m talking about playing against Minnie,” Cy growled.

Minnie Bottoms’ old bifocals make her mix up kings and jacks, often to her opponents’ dismay.

“What did she do now?” I asked.

Cy was declarer at 3NT. West led a spade, and Minnie took the king and returned a spade.

“I had nine tricks if the diamond finesse worked,” Cy said, “but for an extra chance, I led a club at Trick Three. And my wish was granted: Minnie played the king.”

The Cynic won and returned a club to the ten, expecting overtricks. But Minnie produced the jack, and the defense ran the spades for down one.

“If Minnie plays the jack on the first club,” Cy said, “I take the ace and finesse twice in diamonds to win four hearts, four diamonds, a club and a spade.”

Minnie and her glasses have Cy’s number. DAILY QUESTION You hold: ♠K 6 5 3 ♥ 10 8 6 3 ♦K 7 4 ♣ K J. The dealer, at your left, opens one club. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: Since you have 10 points — enough to invite game when partner has promised opening values or more — you would often issue a jump- response. Here, your club honors may be worthless. Bid one spade. If the opponents compete, you can bid hearts next and play at the major suit partner prefers. South dealer N- S vulnerable