Cy the Cynic's former job remains a mystery. Cy won't talk about it, except in jest.

"Whatever it was, it must have paid well," I said.

"Where I worked, you could name your salary," Cy replied.

"That's impressive."

"I named mine 'Walter,'" shrugged Cy.

Cy's bank balance wasn't as impressive after today's deal. West led a heart against Cy's six spades, and the Cynic won with the jack. He took the A-K of trumps and ace of clubs, led a trump to dummy and returned a club. When East showed out, Cy took the king and tried a diamond to the queen for his 12th trick. East won, and Cy lost a club.

END-PLAYED

Cy booted the slam. He should draw trumps, take his heart tricks and the ace of diamonds, ruff the queen of diamonds, and lead the ace and a low club. If clubs break 4-1, the defender who wins will be end-played.

Even as Cy played, he could have succeeded by winning the second club, cashing the hearts, taking the ace of diamonds and pitching a club on dummy's queen to end-play East.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S Q 9 4 3 H 10 6 3 D A Q C 6 4 3 2. Your partner opens one spade, you raise to two spades and he next jumps to four diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: Some pairs might, by agreement, treat partner's jump as singleton-showing. Assuming instead that he has a two-suited hand with slam interest, you may have a grand slam. Partner may hold A K 10 6 2, A 4, K J 10 7 6, A. Cue-bid five diamonds. Even if he signs off at five spades, you'll bid six spades.