Who wrote this about whom? "In this matter of shimmering into rooms, the chappie is rummy to a degree."

This week we are going to look at the important topic of entries. It is no good having winners in your hand or on the board if you cannot get to them.

In this example, how should South plan the play in three no-trump after West leads his fourth-highest heart?

The North hand is too strong for one no-trump and too weak for two no-trump; hence, one spade. South is too weak for a two-level response; hence, one no-trump.

When the opening-lead choice is between a major and a minor, it is usually right to pick the major because opponents will look for major-suit fits, but rarely worry about the minors.

South should establish and run his club suit. But as long as the opponent with the club ace learned the game before breakfast this morning, he will know not to take the first club trick; he will win the second club. Then South will have three winning clubs in his hand and will need an entry. What is his only entry?

The heart queen. So South must take the first trick with dummy's heart king (or ace), not run it around to his hand. Then he immediately attacks clubs. South will collect at least one spade, three hearts, one diamond and four clubs.

Today's opening quotation was written by P.G. Wodehouse about Jeeves. If you have never read any of Wodehouse's books, enter your local library or bookstore (concrete or electronic) and buy one.

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