At today’s 3NT, South took dummy’s queen of hearts and led a club to finesse with his jack. West gathered in his singleton king and led a second heart to South’s king. When South cashed the queen of clubs next, West threw a high diamond.

FOURTH CLUB

South then led the ace and a fourth club, losing to East’s ten. East’s heart return revived dummy’s ace, but South could take only eight tricks by cashing his A-K of spades and fifth club.

South’s club finesse was a gamble, and not such a good one. Since South needs only four club tricks to make 3NT, he should lead to the ace at Trick Two. If East-West followed low, South would lead a second club, succeeding with a normal 3-2 break (and with extra chances). As the cards lie, the correct play saves the day when West’s king falls.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ? A K 7 ? K 3 ? K 10 9 ? A J 6 3 2. You open one club, your partner bids one spade, you jump to 2NT and he tries three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Support partner’s first suit. A bid of three spades would show a balanced 19 or so points, but your spades might be J-x-x. Since you have slammish values, jump to four spades to show three strong spades. If partner has slam thoughts, you may set his mind at ease about the trump suit.