Sign on the wall next to the basket in a high-school gym: "Anyone caught hanging from the rim will be suspended."

Today's South was supposed to be a bridge player, but he should have had his dummy-play license suspended. At 3NT, he won the first heart with the king and led ... a club! West grabbed his ace to lead his last heart, forcing out the ace.

South then had only seven winners and had to try the spade finesse. East produced the king and took four hearts for down two.

NINE TRICKS

South's play required a suspension of belief. South could set up nine tricks even if the spade finesse lost but was in danger of losing too many tricks if East got in after his hearts were good.

East's bid promised a six-card suit but a weak hand; East was unlikely to have two entries. At Trick Two, South should finesse in spades, dislodging East's possible entry early. If East returns a heart, South wins and knocks out the ace of clubs. When West has no more hearts, South is safe.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S J 10 8 H A K D Q 10 6 5 4 C K 9 8. With neither side vulnerable, the dealer, at your right, opens one spade. What do you say?

ANSWER: Unless you recently inherited an estate, pass and hope for a plus score on defense. Though you have opening values, you have no safe way to show them. A double would suggest better support for the unbid major suit, and an overcall of two diamonds on a broken suit (and with three fast spade losers) would beg for trouble.