In today's deal, West found a winning lead- the eight of hearts- against four spades, but when dummy played low, East clichéd by putting up his ace: "third hand high." He returned a heart, and South correctly withheld his king; his nine won.

South next led a trump to dummy's king. East took the ace and led a third heart for West to ruff, but South won the diamond return, drew trumps and made his game.

REASONING

Clichés are no substitute for reasoning. West's eight of hearts couldn't be a singleton; if South had K-9-3-2, he'd have bid hearts at his second or third turn. Nor could South have the singleton king of hearts; West wouldn't have led the eight from 9-8-3-2.

East must play the ten on the first heart. South takes the king and leads a trump to the king, and when East wins, he cashes the A-Q of hearts and leads his last heart. Whatever South does, West scores his ten of trumps.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 10 8 4 H 8 3 D K 9 7 5 4 C 9 7 6. Your partner opens two clubs (strong, artificial), you respond two diamonds (negative), he bids two spades and you try 2NT. Partner next bids three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your hand is far from hopeless. You have three-card spade support, a side king and a possible ruffing value in hearts. Jump to four spades. If you bid three spades, partner might be induced to pass.