"Women are like the police," Cy the Cynic moaned. "When they have all the evidence, they still want a confession."

"Wendy is still giving you a hard time?" I asked.

Cy, a shameless chauvinist, and Wendy, my club's feminist, are fierce adversaries. When Cy was today's East, Wendy led the four of spades against 3NT: seven, king, ace. South let the ten of diamonds ride, and Cy took his king and returned the jack of spades. South produced the queen, ran the diamonds and finessed in clubs, making four.

"Admit it," Wendy growled. "You blew the defense."

"I was lucky she didn't put the handcuffs on me," Cy said.

REDOUBLE

All the evidence was there. South's redouble promised at least 10 points. He surely had the queen of spades, else he'd have held up his ace. If South had the king of hearts, he still had to hold the jack of clubs.

Cy's only chance was to play declarer for the K-J of clubs and West for the king of hearts. Cy should have led a low heart at Trick Three.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K J 3 H A J 9 4 D K 8 C Q 7 5 4. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he jumps to 2NT. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: You can solve this problem without resorting to a pocket calculator. Your partner promises a good 18 points to 20 points and has balanced distribution. Since your total approaches the 33 points that will usually produce 12 tricks at no trump, meet your obligation and bid 6NT.