DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

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

If I were asked to name the most important factors in success at bridge, I would cite desire — most people can be as successful as they determine to be — and concentration.

You are declarer at today’s 3NT. When you opened 1NT, North quite properly raised to the nine-trick notrump game. West leads the jack of spades. If you’re going to win a trick with dummy’s queen, it’s now or never. But East covers with the king, and you take your ace; you can see nine tricks. What card do you lead next?

The problem is easier on paper than at the table. If you lost your focus and led the four of diamonds, you tossed away a vulnerable game. When diamonds break 3-1, you must win the fourth diamond in your hand and will never get dummy’s fifth diamond.

At Trick Two, lead a high diamond. Under dummy’s A-K-Q, you unblock your eight, seven and six so you can enjoy the fifth diamond.

Daily question

You hold: ♠ K85 ♥ QJ1052

♦ 10 ♣ K 9 7 6. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he bids one spade. What do you say?

Answer: Partner may have minimum opening values, and your hand is too weak for an aggressive second bid. Instead, limit your strength so you can stay low if your partnership has limited high-card strength and lacks a good trump fit. Don’t bid two clubs; a new-suit bid would be unlimited. Rebid two hearts or, better, bid 1NT.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable