Harlow the Halo is my club's luckiest player. Bad luck dogs Unlucky Louie, but Harlow could find a needle in a haystack - plus the farmer's daughter.

In a team match, both Louie and Harlow played four hearts and ruffed West's jack of clubs.

Louie led a diamond to the ace and let the jack of spades ride, losing. He ruffed the next club, took the king of diamonds and ruffed his last low diamond in dummy. East overruffed and led a club. When Louie ruffed low, West overruffed. East overruffed dummy again on the next diamond, and West got the king of trumps. Down two.

DOWN ONE

Harlow did better - a little. He took the A-K of diamonds and ruffed a diamond immediately. East overruffed, but Harlow ruffed the club return and led the ace and a low trump. Down one. It was a typical Harlow result: He misplayed but gained points anyway.

South should take the ace of trumps at Trick Two and lead a low trump. Later he leads the A-K and a low spade, setting up dummy's jack for a diamond discard.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S Q 9 3 H K 10 4 D J 10 7 5 3 C J 4. The dealer, at your left, opens one spade. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: Bid 1NT, showing six to 10 points with at least one trick in the opening bidder's suit. A response of two diamonds would not be an error and would be the choice of many players, but to bid 1NT has the advantage of showing a few values. A bid of two diamonds would promise none.