In a major tournament a few years ago, West's jump-overcall of three diamonds was weak and preemptive, as per his partnership agreement. As it happened, the preempt inconvenienced everybody: North, who had to bid his clubs at an uncomfortable level; East, who never got to mention his spades; and South, who faced a horrible rebid problem.

East-West lost nothing in theory by missing their 10-card spade fit: Four spades would be down one while four hearts would have failed if West had led a spade or the ace of diamonds. But West led his singleton club, and South, Kerri Sanborn, found a way home.

CLUB RUFF

Sanborn took the ace of clubs, cashed the top hearts, led a club to the king and ruffed a club. Then, knowing East had no diamonds and surely had the ace of spades, declarer exited with her last trump.

East won but had to lead the ace and another spade, and Sanborn took dummy's king and won the rest with the good clubs. She lost a trump and a spade - making five!

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 9 5 4 2 H J 8 D A Q J 10 9 4 C 6. You are the dealer, neither side vulnerable. What do you say?

ANSWER: This is a matter of style and temperament. Many players would open two diamonds (weak), preempting the opponents and offering partner a general description of the hand. I remain a purist. I'd pass, avoiding a weak two-bid with a hand so attractive for play at spades. But the modern expert philosophy is, "When in doubt, bid."