Though drawing trumps is desirable — and new players are admonished to draw them promptly — there are good reasons to wait. Principle: If your trump situation is shaky, go after your side suit quickly.

In today’s deal, South’s jump to three spades was bold; many players would have bid only two. North had a clear raise to game. West led the king of hearts, and declarer took the ace and drew trumps; it took four rounds, so he had two trumps left.

LAST TRUMP

South next led a diamond, and East won and returned a heart. South ruffed, lost another diamond and ruffed the next heart with his last trump. He took his A-K of clubs and lost the last two tricks to West, who had the ace of diamonds and a heart.

South must plug away at the diamonds without drawing any trumps. Then when West wins the third diamond and leads a heart, South can ruff in dummy, preserving four trumps in his hand to draw trumps.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ? Q 9 ? A 5 3 ? J 7 6 3 ? A K 7 5. You open one club, your partner responds one spade, you bid 1NT and he jumps to three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Since you lack four cards in hearts or three in spades, to bid 3NT would be acceptable. You would reach a good spot if your partner held AKJ76,K1076,Q52,3. But if he has AKJ76,K842,4,Q64, you belong at four spades. Bid three spades. Partner can always try 3NT next.