DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Cy the Cynic says that life has no remote. You have to get up and change it yourself.

In today’s deal, West may have been tempted to double 3NT. As it turned out, he was right not to. He led the ten of spades, and South won with the jack and led a club. West took his king and led the ace and a third spade. South won and led a second club.

When West won, he cashed his fourth spade for the defenders’ book, but South had the rest and made his vulnerable game.

West’s chances of success with his line of defense were remote. It takes five tricks to beat 3NT, and since the bidding marked East with no points at all, West would never take more than two spades and two clubs.

West’s only legitimate chance is to find East with the ten of diamonds. When West takes the king of clubs, he must lead the three of diamonds. If declarer misguesses and plays low from dummy — and many declarers would — East’s ten forces out the ace, giving West five top tricks to cash. DAILY QUESTION You hold: opens one spade, and you ! " # forcing raise. ( A bid of three spades would invite game.) He bids three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: In modern bidding, partner’s three hearts shows a singleton, so all your cards are per$ % " % # &' If he shows one ace, bid six spades. If he shows two, suggesting a hand such as ( ) * might bid seven spades. South dealer N- S vulnerable