When I'm asked which "rule" of play is the silliest, I cite "eight ever, nine never": In a suit missing the queen, always finesse with eight cards; with nine, take the A-K. "Eight ever, nine never" has a tenuous mathematical basis, and no rule can replace good technique.

Today's declarer took the ace of diamonds, led a club to his king, returned a trump to dummy's ace and threw his diamond loser on a high club. He next led a spade, and East won with the king and led a trump.

Should South play his king ("nine never")?

DOWN TWO

South followed the rule: He put up the king of trumps. When South then led another spade, East won and cashed the queen of trumps and South lost two more spades.

South must finesse on the second trump. When West discards, South is sure of six trump tricks, a diamond, two clubs and either a third club or a spade ruff in dummy. If instead West had the queen of trumps, South would get a spade ruff in dummy plus a third club for 10 tricks.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold S 4 2 H A J 4 D A 5 4 2 C A Q 5 2. North in today's deal opened one club with this hand. Do you agree or would you prefer a different action?

ANSWER: Players whose range for a 1NT opening is 15 to 17 points might choose that call. Players who would open in one of the minors would be divided between them. My preference is to start with one club with 2-3-4-4 or 3-2-4-4 pattern unless the diamonds are strikingly strong.