Bridge

"My wife and I have a system for settling arguments," a fan writes. "We discuss the matter objectively and at length until she's right.

"As the declarer at four spades I took the ace of hearts, drew trumps ending in dummy, and tried a club finesse with the jack. West took the queen, cashed the queen of hearts and led another heart.

"I ruffed and took the K-A of clubs. When East discarded, I still had a chance: I led a diamond to my jack, hoping East had the K-Q or a doubleton honor. No luck, and down I went.

HORRIBLE

"The 'argument' was relatively brief. My wife said my bid of four spades was horrible and I should have tried 3NT. I guess she was right since I'd have had nine top tricks." I'm surprised North said nothing about the play at four spades. South can win the first heart, take only the K-Q of trumps and exit with a heart. The "partial elimination" works: Whether West returns a heart (conceding a ruff-sluff), a diamond or a club, South gets his 10th trick.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 9 4 H K Q 10 5 D Q 7 C Q 10 8 6 4. Both sides vulnerable. The dealer, at your left, opens one spade. Your partner bids two diamonds, and the next player raises to two spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: You have enough values to compete but no attractive bid. Many tournament players would make a "responsive double" to show length in the unbid suits. If that action is unavailable to you, your diamond support is adequate for a bid of three diamonds.

South dealer

Both sides vulnerable

NORTH

S A 5 2