DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

Cy the Cynic told me that his doctor had recommended jogging.

“He said it would add years to my life,” Cy said, “and sure enough, I started, and I feel a lot older already.”

In today’s deal, North’s double was “negative.” At five diamonds, the Cynic ruffed the second spade and drew trumps. He next took the K-A of hearts ... and cringed when West discarded. Cy could ruff two hearts in dummy but still had a heart to lose. He also lost a club: down one.

Cy should have been afraid of a 5-1 heart break, which would occur about 15 percent of the time — too big a chance to ignore with a vulnerable game at stake. After Cy takes the king of hearts, he must play safe by letting the 10 ride.

If West could win, Cy would later take the A-J and the fifth heart to discard clubs from dummy and ruff his low club. When West actually shows out, Cy takes the ace of hearts, ruffs two hearts in dummy and loses one club.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ Q972 ♥ Q9543 ◆ 75 ♣ K 10. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he bids two clubs. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: This is an uneasy position, but you must accept your responsibility and bid two diamonds. Your partner has at least five diamonds but maybe only four clubs, and you must return to your side’s longer trump suit. A bid of two spades or 2NT would show more strength.