DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

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

If I offered you lottery tickets at half-price — or, if you’re not inclined to gamble, two deep-dish pizzas for the price of one — you might accept. Similar deals are available at the bridge table.

Today’s North-South bid competently to a good slam, and West leads the queen of diamonds. South takes the ace and draws trumps. How should he continue?

South can succeed if he brings in the spades. His percentage play is to take the ace, then finesse with his jack. South’s option is to lead a club to dummy’s queen, hoping for a diamond discard on the ace. But if either finesse loses, the defense will cash a diamond.

South can get a two-for-one special. He cashes the A-K of spades. If the queen falls, fine. If not, South finesses in clubs. True, if nothing good happens, South may go down two instead of one, but he gives himself the best chance to make the slam.

Daily question

You hold: ♠ 953 ♥ AJ84 ♦ 93 ♣ A Q 10 3. The dealer, at your left, opens one diamond, and two passes follow. What do you say?

Answer: Don’t sell out to one diamond. Your partner surely has some values; if he had none, the opponents would have bid more. The deal may be yours for a partscore or even a game. Double for takeout. You might not double in the “direct” position, but “balancing” actions may be lighter than usual. South dealer

Neither side vulnerable