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“I’m counting on you, fingers.” — graffiti It takes four tricks to defeat a major-suit game, but too many defenders forget to count to four, even on

their fingers. In today’s deal, West led the ten of hearts against four spades, and East took the queen and ace. He next led a club.

South won with the queen and let the jack of trumps ride. When East took the ace, he led a second club, but South was able to win and repeat the winning trump finesse, making four.

“I hoped you could ruff the second club,” East told his partner.

At least East had a plan of some sort, but if West had held a singleton club, he would have led it. At Trick Three, East must lead another heart.

South wins and finesses in trumps, but when East takes the ace, he skewers declarer by leading a fourth heart. If South discards, West ruffs with the eight, forcing dummy to overruff with the king. If instead South ruffs with the ten, West discards. Either way, West scores a trump trick.

You hold: K72 K 8 ( AJ4 $ A K 10 5 4. The dealer, at your right, opens one heart. You double, and your partner responds one spade. The opponents pass. What do you say?

Answer: You didn’t promise 18 points when you doubled — you might have had a shapely hand with 11 high-card points — but you still must tread carefully. Your partner had to respond and may have a weak hand and a poor suit. To show your extra strength, bid two clubs. by Dana Summers