"Would you have overcalled three spades as my partner did?" a player asked.

"To me," I replied slowly, "any three-level overcall would promise more high-card values than he had."

"What would a leap to four spades have shown?"

"Even more values. You can't preempt over a preempt."

"I expected my partner to have more," he agreed, "and I thought I did well to bid only a small slam."

It turned out that South should have settled for game! When West led the queen of diamonds against six hearts, South took the ace, drew trumps and ran the clubs, but couldn't avoid losing two diamonds.

MAKING SEVEN

"Give my partner one more heart and one fewer club," South mourned, "and I might make seven." How would you play the slam?

South should win the first diamond, cash three high trumps and start the clubs. If East refuses to ruff the fourth club, South exits with his three of trumps. East must win and lead a spade, and South's diamond losers go away.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S Q 8 6 4 3 H 8 7 6 4 D K C 10 7 5. The dealer, at your left, opens one heart. Your partner doubles, you respond one spade and he raises to three spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: Bid four spades. If an opponent doubles, you can redouble if your partner is trustworthy.

He committed you to a nine-trick contract not knowing that you have a five-card suit headed by the queen, plus a useful king. You should win 10 tricks without difficulty.