DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Cy the Cynic, whose cynicism centers on the fair sex, says that if you want to see a woman’s shopping instincts kick in, just tell her that something is on sale for a limited time only.

When I watched today’s deal in a penny game, Cy became declarer at four spades, and West led a trump. Cy saw that the trump finesse was available for a limited time only, so he played low from dummy. East produced the king and shifted to the jack of clubs.

The Cynic won with the king, drew trumps and let the 10 of diamonds ride. East took the queen and led another club, and Cy lost a diamond to the ace plus a club. Down one.

Cy erred at Trick One. He should take the ace of trumps and lead a diamond from dummy.

When East wins and shifts to clubs, Cy wins with the ace and forces out the ace of diamonds. He can win the next club in dummy and discard his last club on the king of diamonds, losing only one more trick to East’s king of trumps.

Daily question

You hold: ♠ QJ972 ♥ Q72 ♦ 105 ♣ A 8 5. Your partner opens one club, you respond one spade and he bids two hearts. The opponents pass. What do you say?

Answer: Your partner has “reversed” and promises great strength — in some styles, enough strength to force to game. He promises to bid again, hence bid three clubs and wait to hear his next action. In some systems, you would be correct to rebid two spades to confirm a fivecard suit.

North dealer

Both sides vulnerable