DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Plan the play at today’s four hearts. West leads a trump.

See the problem? You have enough potential winners, but if you let the jack of spades ride, losing to East, a diamond shift through your king may beat you. You must set up the spades without letting East get in.

Win the first trump in your hand and lead a club. If West plays low, take the ace and return the nine. Then, if East plays low, discard the ten of spades, a loser-on-loser. If West wins and leads a second trump, you win, take the ace of spades and lead the queen for a ruffing finesse, pitching a diamond if East plays low. The nine of spades will win your 10th trick.

If East covers the nine of clubs, ruff, lead a trump to dummy and return the jack of clubs, again throwing the ten of spades unless East covers. If East held the ten plus the king or queen and covered twice, you would have to try a “normal” spade finesse. If West played the king on your first club lead, you would play low from dummy.

DAILY QUESTION You hold: S 8 3 2 H 6 4

D A Q 8 5 C K 10 8 7. The dealer, at your left, opens two hearts (weak). Your partner doubles, and you “advance” with three clubs. Partner then bids three diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: If partner had a fair hand with long diamonds, he would have overcalled three diamonds at his first turn. When he doubles before bidding his suit, he promises great strength. Bid five diamonds. His hand should be no worse than A K 7 6, 3, K J 9 7 4 3, A 4.