"My partner seems to have a chip on his shoulder," a club player told me. "He says I'm too critical, and maybe I am."

Most players are intolerant of errors, but the best way to knock a chip off somebody's shoulder is to pat him on the back.

Against four hearts, West led a trump, and South was faced with four losers (three spades and a club) even if the diamond finesse won. He drew trumps, led a diamond to the queen, took the ace, ruffed a diamond and cashed the A-K of clubs.

DISTRIBUTION

South could then count West's distribution: West had held three diamonds, three hearts, two clubs and five spades. So South exited with the KING of spades.

The defenders were entangled. If West took three spades, he'd have to lead a fourth, and South would ruff in dummy and pitch his club loser. When West actually took the ace and led a spade to East's jack, East cashed a club but had to concede a ruff-sluff.

If my partner played a hand that well, I'd give him a pat on the back.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K 6 3 H A K J 7 4 D 7 4 C A K 6. You open one heart, and your partner bids one spade. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: With "Standard" methods, no satisfactory bid exists. A direct spade raise, a jump-rebid in hearts or a bid of 2NT all have flaws. Risk a bid of two clubs, hoping your partner doesn't pass (although if he does disappoint you, you may have no better contract). If partner bids again, you'll be better placed.