DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

“I’ve heard you say,” a club player remarked, “that going over your results, good and bad, after a game is a way to improve.”

“For me, the postmortem was one of the pleasures of playing,” I said.

“Well, my partner will discuss the deals, but his ‘discussion’ is more like a filibuster. He won’t admit a mistake.”

My friend was today’s East. His partner led the eight of hearts against 3NT: deuce, jack, king. South then led the nine of spades: three, four, queen.

“I shifted to a diamond,” East said. “South won, forced out the ace of spades and had nine tricks. If partner grabs the ace on the first spade and leads another heart, he sets up my suit while I have the queen of spades as an entry. He wouldn’t admit his error.”

I think West’s correct defense was indicated. South could still make 3NT only with double-dummy play. He could win the second heart, cash his minor-suit winners and exit with a heart. In the end, East would have to lead from the queen of spades.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ K1084 ♥ A62

◆ 73 ♣ A K 7 5. You open one club, your partner responds one heart, you bid one spade and he tries two diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner’s “fourth suit” bid doesn’t promise great diamonds, just a good hand and uncertainty. Bid two hearts, showing your three-card support.

WITHK1084,A2,732,AK 7 5, I personally would bid 2NT, but some players would be reluctant to bid notrump without a diamond stopper.