DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

“The best time of the day is 6:30, hands down.” — graffiti

If you’re intent on losing an easy contract, the best time is at the first trick, as today’s declarer found at 3NT. When West led a heart, South sagely played low from both hands. He won the next heart with dummy’s ace, led a club to his hand and let the ten of diamonds ride.

East took the queen and led another heart, forcing out the king. When South led another diamond, West produced the ace and cashed two hearts. Down one.

DISCARDS

After South won the third heart, he could have succeeded with an inspired guess: He could run the clubs, and West would have to find three discards. If West threw three spades, South could cash the ace; if instead West threw a heart, South could safely force out the ace of diamonds, losing only two diamonds and two hearts.

But South has an easy nine tricks if he wins the first heart with the king and leads the A-Q of spades. He is sure of two spades, two hearts and five clubs. DAILY QUESTION Youhold:SJ53HA 5DKJ963C852.Your partner opens one heart, you respond 1NT, he bids two clubs and you return to two hearts. Partner next bids two spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your “false preference” of two hearts showed at most nine points and only a tolerance for hearts, not good support. Partner bid again anyway, showing game interest, and you have a nine-point maximum and the unbid suit well stopped. To bid 3NT is correct.