DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

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

As declarer at a suit contract — let’s say four hearts — count your winners and losers. If you see 10 winners and aren’t at risk of four fast losers, fine.

In today’s deal, West leads the queen of spades against four hearts. You have 10 potential winners: one spade, five trumps, three clubs and one diamond. You have only three fast losers: a spade, a trump and a diamond.

The contract is easy, but the trap is to take the ace of spades and cash three clubs to pitch your spade loser. West ruffs, East gets the ace of trumps, and as the cards lie you also lose two diamonds.

That play would be correct at matchpoint duplicate where an overtrick might be vital. At IMPs or party bridge, just lead a trump at Trick Two. The defense can win and cash a spade, but you ruff the next spade, draw trumps and discard a diamond on a high club, losing only one diamond.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ K9 ♥ A3 ◆ A63

♣ 10 9 6 5 4 2. Your partner opens one spade, you respond two clubs, he bids two hearts and you try 2NT. Partner then rebids three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner’s auction suggests a minimum hand with 10 cards in the major suits. With some 11-point hands you would pass or bid three spades, but your actual hand has three useful honors. Bid 3NT or four spades.