Cy the Cynic says it's an ill wind that blows no minds. I suspect that what today's West experienced could safely be called mind-blowing.

Cy, South, did what most players would have done over East's four-heart preempt: He risked four spades. West, looking at seven, count 'em, seven, trumps plus an ace roared out a penalty double and led the ace of hearts.

West shifted to the queen of clubs, and Cy took the ace and led a trump to his ace, getting the expected news. The Cynic next let the nine of diamonds ride and continued with the queen. He led a third diamond to the ace and cashed the king of clubs.

GOOD DIAMOND

By that time, West had six trumps left, and Cy had the K-Q-10-8 of trumps, a club and a heart. Cy led a good diamond from dummy and pitched the club, and West had to ruff and lead a trump.

Cy won with the eight and led his heart and West - wearing a dazed expression - had to ruff East's winner and lead a trump from his J-9-7 to Cy's K-Q-10. Making four!

DAILY QUESTION

You hold spade 2 heart 10 8 7 diamond A J 10 3 2. You open one diamond, and your partner bids one heart. What do you say?

ANSWER: Expert opinion would be divided. A bid of two clubs looks easy and obvious, but if your partner next bid 2NT, two diamonds or three clubs, the hand would be too weak for a third bid, and a heart fit might be lost. Moreover, the opponents may be about to bid spades. Though I'd prefer better support, I'd raise to two hearts.