"There are no rules here. We're trying to accomplish something." -- Thomas Edison at his laboratory.

Beginners learn "rules" of defensive play: second hand low, third hand high and so forth. Experienced players know the "rules" are only tendencies.

Today's West led a trump against South's slam, thinking South might need diamond ruffs in dummy. East was so dismayed by the lead that he petulantly put up his queen: "third hand high."

SECOND TRUMP

South won and led a diamond to the ace and back to his ten. West took the jack and led a second trump, but South won and ruffed a diamond in dummy. He later drew trumps and ran the spades to discard his last diamond.

South goes down if East keeps his queen of trumps -- and what could he gain by playing it? South can take the ten and lead the ace and another diamond, and West wins and leads a second trump. East plays low again, and when South tries to ruff a diamond in dummy, East overruffs.

This week: third-hand play.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K 8 6 H A K J 10 8 D Q 10 3 2 C A. You open one heart, and your partner responds one spade. What do you say?

ANSWER: This is a most uncomfortable problem in "Standard" methods. Partner's response has improved the hand, yet it's still not strong enough for a jump-shift to three diamonds. Game is not guaranteed; partner may hold Q 5 3 2, 6, 8 7 6, K J 5 3 2. Bid two diamonds and hope partner doesn't pass when you have a game.