Cy the Cynic says that if at first you don't succeed, you may not have cared much about it anyhow. That sums up the way South handled the play of today's game.

At the routine four spades, South refused the first club, won West's club continuation, drew trumps, took the A-K of hearts and exited with a heart. East won and shifted to the queen of diamonds, and the defense got two diamonds. Down one.

TWO CHANCES

South gave his contract a halfhearted (halfspaded?) try. He had two good chances but tried neither. After South draws trumps, he can lead a diamond from dummy and play the ten if East follows low.

When West must take the ace, South has only three losers. If East played an honor on the first diamond, South's king would lose to the ace, but South could later lead a second diamond from dummy, setting up his ten for a heart discard.

If on the first diamond South's ten lost to the jack or queen, South could try, try again: He could lead a diamond toward his king.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 8 3 H J 8 6 D A 9 8 4 C Q J 10 8. Your partner opens one spade, you respond 1NT and he bids two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Passing might be a winning action on a given deal but will be a long-run loser. Bid two spades. Your partner will usually do better at a 5-2 spade fit than at a 4-3 heart fit. Moreover, game is possible, and your preference will let him continue with 2NT if he has a hand such as A K Q 5 2, K 10 9 5, Q 3, K 6.