DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

My “Simple Saturday” columns focus on improving basic technique and developing logical thinking.

When you are a defender, clues from the bidding and opening lead may point your way. Today’s North- South reach four hearts. When North bids 3NT after using Stayman, South knows that his partner has hearts.

West leads the ten of diamonds from shortness. It’s a hopeful lead: He has a weak hand, so East may have entries, and West has a probable re- entry in trumps, giving him a second chance at a ruff.

Declarer puts up dummy’s king. East can reason that the ten can’t be a singleton. South has shown four cards in each major. If he had four diamonds, he would not have opened 1NT. So East signals with the eight.

When declarer finesses in trumps next, West can win and lead his last diamond. East wins and gives West a ruff, and South also loses a spade. But if East wins the first diamond, South makes four hearts.

Logical thought is the essence of the game. DAILY QUESTION You hold: dealer, at your left, opens one club. Your partner doubles, and the next player bids two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: Game chances are too bright for you to bid only two hearts. You would compete if your king of diamonds were a low diamond or if your ace of clubs were the ( probably worthless) king. Bid three hearts or, if vulnerable, four hearts. Partner may hold South dealer N- S vulnerable