"What do you call a sensitive, caring, intelligent man?" Wendy, my club's feminist, asked me in the lounge.

I shrugged.

"A rumor," Wendy growled.

"What did Cy do now?" I sighed.

Wendy and Cy the Cynic, a shameless chauvinist, are fierce adversaries even when they're partners. Wendy scribbled today's deal on a napkin.

"As West," she said, "I led the deuce of spades against 3NT. The Cynic took the ace and returned the ten. I won and led a third spade - and declarer claimed nine tricks."

THIRD TRICK

"I hope Cy didn't say you should have led the jack of hearts at the third trick," I remarked.

"He wouldn't have dared," Wendy sniffed. "One day he'll learn that even a woman can't defend alone."

After Cy takes the ace of spades, he should cash the king of hearts before returning a spade. Since that play would make no sense if Cy had only two hearts, Wendy can win the second spade and lead the jack of hearts, pinning South's ten and giving the defense five tricks.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A 10 9 6 4 H A K 9 D Q 7 3 C 8 4. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade and he bids two diamonds. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: Game is certain since you have 13 good points. A jump-preference to three hearts would only invite game, hence bid four hearts. Incidentally, your temporizing bid of one spade was correct. An immediate forcing raise of the hearts would promise four-card or longer support.