DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

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

As a defender, count your tricks. It takes four to beat a major-suit game, but in the heat of battle, defenders may lose sight of the target.

Today’s West had no attractive opening lead against four spades. To his credit, he found a diamond — the winning lead — but when East took the ace, he returned partner’s lead.

West took the king of diamonds but was stuck. He shifted to a club, and South won, drew trumps and took three more clubs to pitch a heart. Making four.

West’s good lead went for nothing because East didn’t count tricks. East knows his side will get no clubs — if West has club honors, declarer can finesse successfully — and if West has a trump trick, he will always get it.

Since the defense will need at least one heart trick, East must shift to a heart at Trick Two. West will take the A-Q and cash his king of diamonds for down one.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold :

Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart, he bids one spade and you try

hearts. What do you say? ANSWER: !

" # ! partner would not have suggested a higher-level contract, especially at hearts on a

# $ -3 trump fit, unless he had substantially more % %!% & $! !%#

' !$ $ !( )* +

) + * +' South dealer N -S vulnerable