Everyone makes mistakes, even you and I; that's why pencils have erasers. But at bridge, some mistakes cost more than others.

South bid slam expecting North's hand to be short in hearts. He ruffed the opening lead in dummy and took the A-K of trumps. When West discarded, South tried the top diamonds. If East ruffed, South could win the club return, ruff a heart in dummy, and discard a club and a heart on the diamonds. But East stolidly pitched a club.

South then ruffed a heart and led a good diamond, but East ruffed. South threw his last heart but had a club to lose. Down one.

TOO SOON

South erred - at a cost of 1,530 points - by trying to draw trumps too soon. He can take only the king before leading the top diamonds.

If East discards, South reaches dummy with the ace of trumps to continue diamonds. If instead East ruffs the third diamond and leads a heart, South ruffs in dummy, draws trumps with the ace and finishes the diamonds. A trump is his only loser.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S K 10 9 4 3 H 8 7 3 D A K Q C A 7. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade and he bids two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Slam is possible, hence to sign off at four hearts or 3NT would be timid. A jump to three hearts would be a good mark-time action if forcing, but most pairs treat that jump as inviting game. Bid two diamonds, forcing. You may have an idea of the best contract after you hear partner bid once more.