Cy the Cynic says that logic is the art of going wrong with confidence.

"To draw inferences, you must trust opponents to bid and play logically," Cy told me. "I trust nobody."

Cy has his reputation as a cynic to uphold, but in today's deal, South lost a game because his play defied logic. When West led a spade against four hearts, South won in dummy and led a trump to his queen. West took the king, East's J-10 produced a trick, and West also got a club and a diamond.

"The trump finesse might have won," South shrugged.

HIGH CLUB

I think not. If West had held the A-K of clubs, his opening lead would have been a high club, hence South could place East with one club honor. East hadn't bid; West, who opened the bidding, was likely to have the king of trumps.

South should attack the trumps by leading the ace and deuce. (He might wish to force out the ace of diamonds first.) When the king appears, South can later draw trumps with the queen and lose only three tricks.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S 10 6 3 H K 5 D A 4 2 C A Q J 8 2. You open one club, your partner responds one heart, you bid 1NT and he tries two spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner has "reversed" as responder and has enough strength for game. You must bid again, but you can't support the hearts or raise the spades, nor should you wish to bid 2NT when your diamond holding is A-4-2. Your most descriptive bid is three clubs to suggest a good five-card suit.