READ THE LEAD TO PLACE THE CARDS

Groucho Marx said, "I find television very educating. Every time somebody turns on the set, I go into the other room and read a book."

At the bridge table, both declarer and third hand should try to read the lead -- work out what the opening leader has in the suit he chose. Usually, for one of those two players the light will go on, and the information will help that player to make or break the contract.

This week, let's look at some example deals. First, how should South plan the play in five spades after West leads the heart four?

When South responds one spade, North counts his losers. With seven, he would raise to two spades; with six losers, he would jump to three spades; and, as here, with only five losers (two spades, one heart and two clubs), he can bid game. Then South uses Blackwood and stops in five spades when he learns that two aces are missing.

What can South deduce about the heart four?

If a defender leads a spot-card in dummy's long side suit, it is almost certain to be a singleton. (The rare alternative is that he has so many cards in that suit, he is hoping partner can either ruff now or on the second round of that suit.) So, here, declarer should realize that if he immediately attacks trumps, the defenders will probably take two aces and a heart ruff.

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Instead, South should first cash dummy's diamond winners and discard his second heart. Then, when East tries to give his partner a ruff, declarer can ruff high.

Copyright United Feature Syndicate (Asia Features)