Cy the Cynic says that any philosophy that can be expressed "in a nutshell" probably belongs there. He's right about "eight ever, nine never," which purports to state the best play with eight cards in a suit missing the queen.

In today's deal, South grabbed the first spade; he didn't want East to win and shift to a club. South then took the ace of trumps and led to his jack. He went down two when West took the queen and led another spade, and East won and led the jack of clubs.

"Eight ever," South said. "I had eight hearts. The finesse was correct."

FULL DEAL

In a nutshell, South's play was wrong. To finesse in trumps was right considering the trump suit "in isolation," but in the context of this deal, South's best chance is to take the A-K. If the queen falls, he has no worries.

When East-West play low, South starts the diamonds. As it happens, West must follow suit three times; South discards two clubs before West ruffs. South loses a club, a spade and a trump.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S J 9 3 H K J 9 8 5 D A Q C K 6 5. With neither side vulnerable, the dealer, at your right, opens one diamond. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your hand is promising, especially since the queen of diamonds looks well placed. Nevertheless, overcall one heart and await developments. Your hand isn't strong enough to double first, then bid hearts; hence a double may miss the best trump suit if your partner has a hand such as A 7 4 2, Q 7 6, 7 6 5, 8 7 4.