When I watched today's deal in a penny game at the club, South made 3NT, and East was dismayed.

"I'd never have found the winning defense," East complained. "Some deals are just too difficult."

Cy the Cynic, who was West, was unsympathetic.

"Don't wish the deals were easier," Cy said. "Wish you were better."

Cy had led the jack of hearts: ace, deuce, three. South next took the A-K of clubs and conceded a club. Cy discarded a heart and a spade, but East returned a heart anyway. South then made an overtrick with five clubs, three hearts and two spades.

"Too tough," East said.

"Hogwash," the Cynic growled.

INDICATED

Cy's heart discard should have warned East off the hearts. A diamond shift was indicated: South's hand was marked short in diamonds, and 3NT was unbeatable if he had the ace.

East must lead the KING of diamonds at Trick Five. Cy will (or should) unblock his ten, win the next diamond, and lead a third diamond through dummy's 8-6 to East's 9-7.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A J 5 H A 7 5 D 8 6 5 4 C 7 5 2. Your partner opens one heart, you raise to two hearts and he bids 2NT. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner's 2NT says you may have a game and it may be 3NT. Partner has relatively balanced distribution with scattered values. Since you have maximum values for your single raise and also have a balanced hand, raise to 3NT. If partner holds a hand such as K 6 3, K Q 10 6 4, A 3, A 6 4, 3NT will be a better game contract.