DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

As the game at the Mad Hatter’s wore on, the Red Queens, who were kibitzers, kept arguing over who was greater. The Queen of Hearts blustered that no ace or king dared capture her. The Queen of Diamonds insisted that losing a trick could be better than winning one.

“I wish they would stop for one deal,” Alice thought wearily.

In today’s deal, Alice played at 3NT on an auction tame by Wonderland standards. West, the Hatter, led the jack of diamonds, and dummy played low. East, the Dormouse, took the king ... and Alice gave the Queen of Diamonds a wink and followed with the queen! East shifted to the queen of hearts. Alice played low so as not to enrage Her Majesty, won the next heart, took the ace of clubs and led a diamond to dummy’s nine. She returned a club to her ten and went to the ace of diamonds for a second club finesse, winning four club tricks and nine in all.

“See?” the Queen of Diamonds crowed. “Unless you unblock my card, you can finesse only once in clubs. Down you go.” DAILY QUESTION Youhold:S742H7653 DA95C972.Yourpartner opens two clubs (strong, artificial), you respond two diamonds (negative or waiting) and he bids two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: A raise to three hearts would show at least a bit more strength, perhaps742,7653,AQ5, 9 7 2. A jump to four hearts would deny any side-suit ace, king, singleton or void. Bid 2NT or, if your bidding methods allow for a “second negative” here such as three clubs, make that call.