“Read any good books lately?” I asked Cy the Cynic in the club lounge.

“I bought a book on surgical procedures,” Cy said. I should know better than to expect a straight answer from Cy, but reading and studying play technique will make anyone a better player. As declarer, plan your play; count your sure winners (often best at notrump) or possible losers (especially at a high-level suit contract).

FOUR LOSERS

At four spades, South can see four losers, one in each suit. He can’t help losing to the three missing aces but can set up a diamond winner to discard a heart from dummy. South must be careful; if he forces out the ace of trumps immediately, the defense will lead another heart, setting up a winner there.

South must win the first heart in dummy and lead the queen of diamonds and (if West ducks) a second diamond. When West wins and leads a second heart, South can win in his hand, discard dummy’s last heart on the high diamond and ruff his last heart in dummy. Then he can start the trumps.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ? A 5 2 ? Q 10 8 7 6 ? A 7 6 ? 10 5. The dealer, at your left, opens one spade. Your partner doubles, and the next player raises to two spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner has a hand worth an opening bid or more with support for the unbid suits, especially the other major. (He might hold a strong hand with a suit he intends to bid.) Your hand is worth a shot at four hearts; you have a fifth heart and two aces. You would compete with three hearts if you held J 5 2, Q 10 8 7 6, A 7 6, 10 5.