The train of failure runs on the tracks of laziness. Avoid lazy plays, especially at the first trick. Consider before you touch a card.

Today’s South was Cy the Cynic, whose laziness is legend; Cy is apt to seize on the first line of play he sees. When West led the jack of spades against 3NT, Cy played the queen from dummy. East took the ace and returned a spade, forcing out the king. When Cy started the clubs next, the contract went off the rails: West took the ace — and three more spades for down one.

Cy’s train of thought never left the station. Cy’s game is at risk only if West has five spades plus an entry, but if West held a hand such as AJ1093,972,J63,A4, he would have overcalled one spade at the favorable vulnerability.

Cy must play low from dummy on the first spade. East’s ace wins the next spade, but Cy wins any return and forces out the ace of clubs. He makes an overtrick.

If West’s spades were A-J-10-9 or J-10-9-8, Cy would still make 3NT.

Daily question: You hold: ? 7 4 2 ? Q 6 ? A K 10 ? K Q 10 9 3. Your partner opens one heart, you respond two clubs and he bids two diamonds. What do you say?

Answer: Your best contract may be 3NT — partner might hold AK3,AJ742,Q854,2 — but you can’t bid notrump with three low spades. Nor should you want to support the hearts or diamonds at this point. Bid two spades, a “fourth-suit” call that doesn’t promise spades and asks partner for a further description.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

Tribune Content Agency