DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

Cy the Cynic says — and I can’t disagree — that if you’re investigating the unknown, you don’t know what you may find.

You’re declarer at today’s grand slam. West’s bid of two hearts was preemptive. When you leaped to five spades, North appreciated the value of his queens in your suits and his aces. To succeed, you must pick up the diamonds. Before you rely on a 3-2 break, do some investigation. Who knows what you may find?

You take dummy’s ace of hearts and draw trumps. Next, cash the K-A of clubs and ruff a club. On the second club, West discards a heart.

West started with two spades and one club, and if he had six hearts as his preempt suggests, then he had four diamonds. If you have the courage of your convictions, lead the 10 of diamonds next and let it ride.

When East follows with the eight (whew!), you take the queen, return to your hand by ruffing a heart and win the rest with good diamonds. Well played!

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ Q87 ♥ A1032

◆ Q5 ♣ A 8 6 4. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he rebids two diamonds. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your hand has more potential than most 12-point hands. Your queen of diamonds will fill out partner’s long suit, and you have side aces. Take the bull by the tail, so to speak, and bid 3NT. It will be cold if he has a suitable minimum.