"You know you're getting old," a club player told me, "when your knees buckle but your belt won't. The only parts of my body that don't hurt won't work."

"Surely that doesn't include your brain," I said.

I guess it's easier to get older than wiser, but after 40 years, players should have learned the benefits of waiting to draw trumps. Today's declarer ruffed the second heart, drew trumps, and led the A-K and a third club. A heart return forced out South's last trump, and after he took two good clubs, East won the last two tricks with the ace of diamonds and a heart.

SECOND CLUB

South has several possible lines of play but mustn't draw trumps early. He might cash the ace of clubs at the third trick, lead a trump to dummy, return a club to his king and concede a club. He can ruff the next heart and lead a diamond. When East wins, he can't prevail even by leading a fourth heart.

As the cards lie, South also succeeds by forcing out the ace of diamonds at Trick Three.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A K J 7 2 H 6 D 8 3 C A K 7 6 4. South in today's deal opened one spade with this hand. Do you agree with that action?

ANSWER: Expert opinion is split on the proper opening bid with five spades and five clubs. Many experts insist on one club, which leaves room for an economical bid of one spade after a red-suit response. I prefer to open one spade, which gets the major suit mentioned quickly and makes it harder for the opponents to come in.