It’s that time of the year: Listen carefully and you can hear the sound of resolutions breaking. For many of us, a new year means a fresh start on old habits. Resolve to think things over before playing as declarer.

At four spades, South took the ace of diamonds and, without giving the matter much thought, cashed the A-K of trumps. When West discarded, declarer led the king of clubs, and West won and got out safely with a club.

South took the Q-J and exited with trump. East then led the king of diamonds. South ruffed and, stuck in his hand, had to lose two heart tricks. Down one.

The only effective resolution may be to swear off breaking them, but South can make four spades. At Trick Two he leads the nine of trumps. East must take his queen, and then South can reach dummy with the jack and ten of trumps to take two heart finesses.

South rates to succeed unless West has both missing heart honors, and then his opening lead might have been the king of hearts.

Daily question: You hold: ? 8 ? K 9 7 3 ? J 10 9 8 ? A 7 4 2. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart, he bids one spade and you return to two diamonds. Partner then bids two hearts. What do you say?

Answer: With a minimum hand, partner would have passed two diamonds. With AJ65,AQ4,KQ75,53, he would open 1NT; his shape may be 4-3-5-1. Your hand is a maximum, and your ace of clubs is an ideal card. Bid five diamonds. Partner may hold AJ65,AQ4,KQ765,3.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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