DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

Due to family and writing obligations, I rarely get to play. But occasionally I travel to Birmingham, Alabama, for an evening of bridge with three old friends. On my most recent visit, we had a great many interesting deals.

I was today’s South. North’s double was negative, showing four cards in spades. When East jumped to four hearts, I felt obliged to try four spades. For all I knew, both major-suit games might be making.

East, Mark Jones, found a good “Lightner double.” When a preempter doubles a voluntarily bid contract, he suggests an unusual opening lead — often the lead of the first suit dummy bid.

Jim Foster, West, duly led the six of clubs (his highest spot to suggest the return of a heart, the highranking side suit). When dummy played low, Jones ruffed, led a heart to West, ruffed a club, returned a diamond to the ace and ruffed a third club. I was down two before I could catch my breath.

We were minus 500, and what was worse, four hearts would have failed.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: 74 A8652 A 2 K 6 4 3. Partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he rebids two diamonds. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: You have enough strength to invite game but not to force. Hence you cannot afford to bid three clubs, forcing. Since partner’s rebid promises a six-card suit, to raise to three diamonds is your correct action.