DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

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

It’s easier to defend well when you know what declarer holds. The bidding will provide clues, but you need a knowledge of the bidding structure.

Today’s West led the four of clubs against four spades: three, queen, ace. South then led the 10 of diamonds, and West, thinking to give South a guess, played low. Declarer put up dummy’s king. He lost a trump finesse to West and later a heart finesse to East, but when hearts broke 3-3, South made his game.

West could beat the contract if he interpreted the bidding. South’s sequence showed six spades, four hearts and minimum opening values. When East played the queen on the first club, South was marked with the jack. So South had a singleton diamond.

West should rise with his ace of diamonds at Trick Two, cash the king of clubs and lead another club. The defense will still get a trump and a heart for down one.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ Q10 ♥ AJ2 ◆ KJ 652 ♣ 7 6 3. Your partner opens one club, you bid one diamond and he rebids two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: You have enough strength to invite game, and two reasonable actions are available. A bid of 2NT is possible; if partner’s spade holding is, say, K-x-x, notrump may play better from your side of the table. The alternative is to raise to three clubs. Choose as per your temperament.