As usual, the top seeds in the Summer NABC's Spingold Teams consisted of a wealthy sponsor plus five pros, many from Europe. In the final, "Team Monaco" beat Nick Nickell's great squad.

NICKELL fielded the flamboyant Pakistani Zia Mahmood, whose uninhibited style accounts for many gains and losses. He sat North in today's deal.

The jump to three hearts by Bob Hamman, South, was preemptive. When West doubled (negative), Zia picked entirely the wrong moment for a lead-directing bid of four diamonds. He had a good defensive hand, and it was far from certain that East-West would bid (or make) game.

SINGLETON

At four hearts doubled, Hamman was picked clean. East overtook the queen of spades and led his singleton club, and East-West got two club ruffs and seven tricks in all: down four, minus 800.

In the replay, South overcalled two hearts, and West doubled again. East played at three diamonds, which looked safe until trumps split 5-0. Down one, 14 IMPs to Team Monaco.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S Q 2 H A 7 D 9 8 6 4 C A 9 7 5 3. The dealer, at your left, opens one heart. Your partner doubles, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: You can't respond two clubs, as you would with 3 2, 7 2, 9 8 6 4, 10 9 7 5 3. Jump to three clubs to show about 10 points and invite game. A bid of 1NT would show six to 10 points with a heart trick, but since partner's hand will often be short in hearts, that action is less attractive.