DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

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

At a notrump contract, declarer usually has more of the high cards, so the defenders often plug away at a long suit. But establishing long cards won’t help if the defender who has them can’t gain the lead.

In today’s deal, East’s overcall of one heart is risky but helps the defense against 3NT by suggesting the best opening lead. West leads the seven of hearts, and dummy plays low.

Say East takes his king and returns a heart. South wins and leads a club. If East wins, he can lead a third heart to set up his suit but has no entry. If West wins, he has no more hearts. South winds up making an overtrick.

On the first heart, East must signal with the eight. South’s bid of 2NT promises a heart trick, so East will lose nothing by ducking to keep communication. Then, when South wins and leads a club, West can dash up with his king to lead his last heart, and South will take only eight tricks.

Daily question

You hold: ♠ Q62 ♥ K10863 ♦ 84 ♣ A 7 5. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he bids two clubs. What do you say?

Answer: To make the correct bid here takes discipline. To try 2NT is tempting, but the hand is a bit too weak. To rebid the five-card heart suit would show longer or at least much stronger hearts. Bid two diamonds. Your partner should have at least five diamonds, so the contract will be playable if he passes. North dealer

N-S vulnerable