The advent of computer programs that analyze the play possibilities in a 52-card deal has rendered the double-dummy problem obsolete. Nobody has yet written a "single-dummy" program that will find the best play, or a sure play, with only declarer's hand and dummy in view.

At four spades, South ruffs the third heart and draws trumps. How should he play to assure his contract against any lie of the East-West cards?

South is at risk only if clubs break 4-1. He should take the A-K of diamonds and lead the jack of clubs.

RUFF-SLUFF

If a defender won with the singleton king, he would have to yield a ruff-sluff, and South would be home. If a defender wins from K-10-9-6 (the actual case), he must return a club to avoid conceding a ruff-sluff, and South plays "second hand low" and picks up the clubs. If South led the ace and a low club, he would fail if a defender held K-10-9-x.

Double-dummy analyzers have been around for years. Is a single-dummy program on the horizon?

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 5 4 3 2 H K 5 3 D 7 5 C Q 8 4 3. Your partner opens two clubs (strong, artificial), you respond two diamonds (negative) and he bids 2NT. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner has a balanced hand with a good 22 to a poor (if there is such a thing) 24 points. Bid three clubs, Stayman. If partner next bids three spades, you'll raise to game. If he bids three diamonds, denying a major suit of four cards, or three hearts, you'll bid 3NT.