DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

“Simple Saturday” columns are meant to help aspiring players improve technique and develop logical thinking.

When you become declarer, you have undertaken to win a specified number of tricks. When you see dummy, count your winners. If you see enough sure winners to make your contract, take them.

At today’s two hearts, South takes the ace of diamonds and counts seven more tricks: four trumps in his hand, a club and two diamond ruffs in dummy. He should ruff a diamond at Trick Two and lead a club to his ace to ruff a second diamond.

South shouldn’t risk a finesse with the queen of clubs. If West won, he would switch to trumps, and South would lose his second diamond ruff.

What about at matchpoint duplicate, where overtricks may be valuable? I would still play to assure the contract. South has received a favorable opening lead — a trump lead would have been damaging — so he is ahead of the game. Plus scores in partscore deals can be worth many matchpoints. DAILY QUESTION You hold: Your partner opens one club, you respond one heart and he bids one spade. What do you say?

ANSWER: You have enough strength for game. but you need not hurry to bid it. Bid two diamonds. A newsuit bid by responder here is forcing. If partner bids 2NT next, raise. But if he supports your hearts or otherwise suggests a distributional hand, you’ll pursue a suit contract. South dealer Both sides vulnerable