"How was New Year's Eve?" I asked Unlucky Louie. "Did you go out on the town?"

"I stayed home," Louie said sourly. "We couldn't find a babysitter. I'm reserving one for next New Year's Eve -today."

Louie isn't the best at planning ahead. He was declarer at today's 3NT, and West led a spade. East covered dummy's queen, and Louie held up the ace and won the third spade. He next let the queen of clubs ride, and East took the king and led a diamond.

EIGHT TRICKS

Louie had eight tricks - a spade, three hearts, a diamond and three clubs - and could succeed if the diamond finesse won or if hearts broke 3-3. Since the finesse offered a 50 percent chance but the heart break 36 percent, Louie finessed- and went down two when West won and took two spades.

Foresight would save Louie. He must cash the top hearts before he finesses in clubs. When hearts break 3-3, Louie is sure of nine tricks. If they broke 4-2, he would know he needed the diamond finesse if the club finesse lost.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K 10 3 H 10 9 6 D 10 8 5 2 C K 7 2. Your partner opens two clubs (strong, artificial), you respond two diamonds, he bids two spades and you raise to three spades. Partner next bids four clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner has tried for slam by showing the ace of clubs. (He may have additional club honors and club length.) Bid five clubs to show the king. That will be just what he needs to hear if he has A Q J 9 7 2, 4, A K, A Q 5 4.