DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

The incomparable golfer Ben Hogan was known for his resolve. He once doublebogeyed the first hole in a tournament round — and shot 66. Asked how he rebounded from such a bad start, he replied, “That’s why there are 18 holes.”

The play comprises 13 tricks. If you start badly, don’t give up. In today’s deal, West led a low heart against four spades, and to his dismay, dummy’s jack won. Declarer then led a trump to his king.

West took his ace and led the queen of hearts, but South won with the ace, cashed one high trump and then ruffed his last low heart in dummy. When East discarded, South ended with 10 tricks, making game.

UNLUCKY

West can recover from his unlucky lead if he keeps his eye on the ball. He must duck the first trump lead.

If South next tries to ruff a heart in dummy, East overruffs with his nine.

If instead South leads a second trump, West wins and leads a third trump, and South loses a heart, plus a diamond and a club. Down one either way. DAILY QUESTION You hold: SA 62 HQ 10 743 D Q 109 CK 3. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he bids one spade. What do you say?

ANSWER: You have enough strength to invite game. A jump to 2NT might work, but you might play there when partner has three-card heart support. A jump-preference to three diamonds, even if invitational, might land you in wrong spot. Unless it’s forcing, bid two clubs, the “fourth-suit” call, to get more information and stay low.