DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

Cy the Cynic observes that by the end of that 12-day Christmas carol, your house will be overrun by almost 200 birds of various species, plus more than 100 hyperactive humans.

I haven’t verified those numbers, but I know that South could have earned a gold ring at today’s slam with only a little counting. Against 6NT West led the ten of spades: king, ace. Declarer won the spade return and cashed the three top diamonds. When West discarded a spade, South tried the top clubs. This time East threw a heart, and declarer took only 11 tricks.

South was too quick to test the minor suits. After he wins the second spade, he can cash a third spade; East pitches a heart. South then takes his three heart tricks, and West discards a spade.

Next, South takes the high clubs. When East discards another heart, South has a complete count: West had five spades, four clubs and two hearts, hence two diamonds. So South can take the ace of diamonds, unblocking dummy’s ten, and lead a diamond to the king. When no jack appears, South leads a third diamond to his nine. DAILY QUESTION Youhold:SA6HJ5 432DJ853C102.Neither side vulnerable. Your partner deals and opens one heart, and the next player doubles. What do you say?

ANSWER: Jump to three hearts to try to obstruct the opponents. With a good hand, you would redouble or perhaps make some conventional strength-showing call. With a bit more shape - A6, J5432, J8532, 2 - you could bid four hearts. Partner might make that contract, but if he did not, the opponents could likely make something.