My friend the English professor is always talking about how unfathomable the language is.

"It defies logic," the prof says. "If English made any sense, the word 'lackadaisical' would refer to a shortage of flowers."

I know how I'd describe South's play at today's slam. When West led the ten of spades, East took the ace and shifted to the jack of diamonds: queen, king, ace. South took the A-K of trumps, cashed the king of spades, led a trump to dummy and discarded his losing diamond on the queen of spades. He next led a club to his king and a club to dummy's jack, but East produced the queen for down one.

How would you play the slam?

BEST PLAY

I hope you'd play it differently. After South takes the ace of diamonds, he can cash the A-K of trumps, king of spades and top clubs. He discards his last club on the queen of spades and ruffs a club high.

South can then return a trump to dummy and discard his diamond loser on a good club. His actual play was lackadaisical.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A 7 4 2 H 7 D J 10 9 4 3 C Q 9 8. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade and he bids two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Since partner bid his second suit cheaply, he has at most 18 points, and game is unlikely. Though two clubs may not be a delicious contract, especially after a trump opening lead, you must pass. A bid of two diamonds would be forcing and unlimited; a bid of 2NT would show about 11 points and would invite game.