BY THE NUMBERS FRANK STEWART BRIDGE

I asked my friend the English professor whether he had any colleagues in the math department.

“One just got back from the annual Fibonacci conference,” the prof said. “Did he enjoy it?”

“He had a great time,” the prof replied. “He said it was as good as the last two put together.”

Good declarer play can mean adding one chance to another. At today’s slam, South took the king of diamonds and let the jack of clubs ride hopefully. Alas, East took the queen. South then had four club tricks, two diamonds, four hearts and one spade, but no 12th trick. Second Chance

South could get a second chance. He leads a heart to dummy at Trick Two and returns a spade to his nine. West takes the king and leads another diamond, and South wins and cashes the ace of spades.

When the queen falls from East, South has four spades, four hearts, two diamonds and two clubs. If nothing good happened in spades (South also succeeds if East has the K-Q), South could try for five club tricks.

Daily Question

K You 7. Your hold: partner ♠ J 10 8 opens 7 2 ♥ one K J 9 diamond,A

♦ Q7 ♣ you respond one spade and he bids two clubs. What do you say?

Answer: Based on what you know at this point, a bid of 3NT would be reasonable and would be the choice of many players. Still, partner’s hand is not well defined, and he could have None, A 3 2, A K J 9 6 3, Q 10 5 4. Bid two hearts, a forcing “fourth-suit” action, and let partner continue to describe his hand. South dealer

N-S vulnerable