DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

Today you can find a good opening lead. You’re playing in the Life Master Pairs at the Summer NABC.

Look at the West cards and auction. North’s jump to two hearts conventionally showed a poor hand with five spades and four or more hearts. South’s 3NT said he thinks he can make it. Pick your lead.

When Jovi Smederevac of Vienna was West (many foreign players attend ACBL events), she correctly placed South with long, strong diamonds, something in clubs and little in the majors (since he had not investigated a major-suit contract). So Smederevac started with the ace of hearts.

When East encouraged, West continued with the queen and a third heart to the king, and South had to make an awkward discard. When he threw the king of spades, East cashed the ace of spades and led a low club.

South won and ran the diamonds but lost the last two tricks for down two. Plus 200 was a fine result for East-West. If West leads the jack of clubs, South will escape for down one.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ K7 ♥ 83 ◆ AKQ 764 ♣ K Q 7. Your partner opens one club, you respond one diamond and he bids one heart. What do you say?

ANSWER: You have a game or slam, but a jump to three clubs or to three diamonds would be (as most partnerships agree) not forcing. To create a force, bid one spade, a “fourthsuit” call that merely asks partner to keep bidding.