Simple Saturday

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

Today’s West leads a low spade against four hearts. A diamond opening lead would be an option, but since West imagines that dummy’s club suit may provide declarer with discards, West chooses an aggressive lead to try to cash or develop tricks in a hurry. (To lead from a king is not without risk, but after this auction, not to lead from one may be riskier.)

East plays the ten, trusting that West would not have led a low spade from an honorless holding. What should East do next?

DISCARD

It’s tempting to continue with the ace and a third spade, but South will ruff, draw trumps, force out the ace of clubs, and discard a diamond on a good club.

The defense needs a diamond trick, but East can’t effectively lead a diamond; West must lead one through dummy. At Trick Two, East must return the jack of spades. When West takes the king, he should see what is expected of him.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ Q 7 4 ♥ J 8 4 ♦ AJ 3 ♣ K J 10 3. Your partner opens 2NT. The next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: If your 2NT range is 21 or 22 points, this is a simple addition problem. Since your total is 33 or 34 points, bid 6NT. If partner could have opened 2NT with a 20point hand, bid 4NT, not ace-asking but a “quantitative” raise to invite 6NT. You should not bid too aggressively since your three jacks make slam a bit less likely. South dealer Neither side vulnerable