DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Alfred Sheinwold pithily observed that nobody is born a poor bridge player — but some people try to make up for it. Bridge is less intuitive than, say, chess. Most people must learn the techniques.

In today’s deal, North’s jump to four hearts showed a solid suit, so South zoomed into 7NT. He won the first spade with the ace and took the A-K of hearts. If East-West had followed, South would have had 15 tricks. But when East threw a diamond, South had to try the clubs, and when he led to his jack, West produced the queen.

FIRST TRICK South’s technique was poor. He should cash three high spades (East discards a diamond) and three high diamonds (West discards a spade). When South then takes the A-K of hearts and East shows out, South has a complete count. East held two spades, one heart and six diamonds, so four clubs.

South can’t gain by leading a club to his jack. Even if East has the queen, South must lose a club. His only chance is to take the A-K, hoping West holds Q-x. DAILY QUESTION You hold: S 8 5 3 H A K Q 10 9 6 3 D A 2 C 2. With both sides vulnerable. The player at your right deals and passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: You may be tempted to open four hearts, but resist. You have no compelling reason to preempt with a hand this strong, especially when one opponent has passed. Your partner would be misled; he would not expect a side ace as well as a solid suit. Open one heart and plan to jump in hearts next.