Deductive reasoning

“Deduce” is not de lowest card in de deck. Clues from the bidding and defense — and they are always available — can help declarer deduce a winning play.

Against 3NT, West led the deuce of spades: three, jack, king. Declarer next took the A-K of clubs. When West threw a diamond, declarer continued with the K-Q of hearts and a third heart to dummy’s ace. This time East pitched a spade, so South led a club to his ten and cashed the ace. At the ninth trick he led a diamond to dummy’s king, but East won and the defense had the rest. Down one. OPENING LEAD

South could deduce from the deuce: West’s opening lead. The deuce of spades suggests a four-card holding. South also knows West had one club. But if West had a five-card diamond suit, he would have led that suit — the other unbid suit — against 3NT.

South should play West for 4-4-4-1 distribution. After South takes the K-Q of hearts, he should lead a heart to dummy’s ten. He wins four hearts, four clubs and a spade. DAILY QUESTION and he bids one spade. What do you say?

ANSWER: The double fit in spades and diamonds improves your chances for game (with fewer than 26 points). Raise to three spades, invitational. If your jack of hearts were the ace, you would bid four spades. If your club and diamond holdings were reversed, you might take a conservative view and raise only to two spades. South dealer N-S vulnerable