"My partner says she was born with a photographic memory," a reader writes. "Judging by her dummy play, it never developed."

My fan tells me that her partner was declarer at 6NT, and West led the ten of spades.

"My partner won and forced out the ace of clubs. She won the next spade and took the top hearts, hoping for a 3-3 break. When West pitched a spade, declarer cashed two clubs - West threw another spade - a third spade and the A-Q of diamonds. On the third diamond, my partner put up dummy's king - and went down."

COUNTING

South's play leaves me with a negative impression of her alleged photographic memory. South needs to develop her skill at remembering what cards have been played and counting the defenders' distribution.

When South starts the diamonds, she has seen West show out on the third heart and club leads, and East discard on the third spade. So South can count West for 5-2-4-2 pattern and finesse confidently with dummy's ten on the third diamond.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A 7 6 H A 5 2 D K 10 4 3 C Q 10 5. Your partner opens one club, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: A forcing response of 2NT would not be an error, but since the hand contains no tenace holdings, your partner had better be declarer at notrump. If, for example, his heart holding is Q-3, a heart opening lead through his queen might beat 3NT played from your side. Respond one diamond. If partner next bids 1NT, you'll raise to 3NT.