A few years ago, one of the winners in a Bulwer-Lytton fiction-writing contest (composing the first sentence in an unendingly turgid novel) was this:

"Miles Otterman thought he could get away with carving his initials into the old oak tree in the town square; and he might have done just that, had Sheriff Mitchell not recognized his MO."

Many players have the same modus operandi: play first, think later. In today's deal, West led the deuce of spades against four hearts, and South gave dummy a glance and played the six.

PROBLEM

When East took the king and shifted to the jack of clubs, South realized he had a problem. He took the ace, drew trumps and led the queen of diamonds. East won and led another club, and the defense got two clubs. Down one.

South's MO was typical - and fatal. He should grab the ace of spades at Trick One, draw trumps and start the diamonds. He sets up dummy's king for a club discard in time to lose only one club, plus a diamond and a spade.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S Q 9 4 H A Q J 10 2 D Q J C A Q 4. Your partner opens one diamond, you jump to two hearts and he bids 2NT. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your jump-shift to two hearts suggested slam, but you don't have enough values to insist on slam, especially since your hand contains so many queens and jacks. Your partner's hand may be a minimum. Raise to 3NT, showing balanced distribution, and leave any further move to him.