DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

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

Squeeze play is alleged to be difficult, but some squeezes all but play themselves. In today’s deal, West’s cue bid of two spades conventionally showed length in hearts and a minor suit. East’s 2NT asked which minor. North-South brushed aside the interference and bid a grand slam.

When West led the king of diamonds, South won and saw 13 tricks, assuming a heart finesse would win. But South drew trumps, took his club tricks and then cashed two more trumps.

As South led his last trump, West had to keep his queen of diamonds so he could save only one heart. Declarer discarded the jack of diamonds from dummy and led a heart at Trick 12. When West played the jack, South knew West’s last card was the queen of diamonds. So South put up the ace of hearts to drop East’s king!

That’s a so-called “showup squeeze” — easy as pie.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ K1095 ♥ AQ10 53 ◆ J6 ♣ K 7. Your partner opens one diamond, you respond one heart and he bids two clubs. What do you say?

ANSWER: At your second turn as responder, you want to place the contract if you can or at least suggest a contract. Bid 3NT. You have no reason to bid spades. Partner doesn’t have four cards in spades, and even if he has three in hearts, your strong spades suggest playing at notrump.