DAILY BRIDGE CLUB:

Here’s another crucial deal rom late in the 2017 Bermuda Bowl final, where the United States narrowly defeated France.

When the U.S. was North-South, Chip Martel was left to open two clubs after three passes. EastWest competed, but South bought the contract at five hearts. West led his singleton club, reasonably enough, and Martel won with the jack and laid down the ace of trumps. When East’s king succumbed, South lost two diamonds, plus 450.

At the other table, Brad Moss, West for the U.S., opened one spade as per his partnership style. South played at five hearts again, but Moss did well to lead a spade: queen (!), deuce, ace.

The French South cashed the ace of trumps to drop East’s king but had to guess how to continue. Since West might have held the ace of diamonds and king of clubs, South led the A-J of clubs next.

Alas for him, Moss ruffed and led another spade. South ruffed but lost two diamonds for down one, 11 IMPs to the U.S.

DAILY QUESTION: You hold: ♠ K10974 ♥ 94◆ AQ873 ♣ 4. Your partner opens one heart, you respond one spade and he raises to two spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: The best approach is not to count your points but to visualize some possible hands for your partner and imagine how you will do in the play. If he has a suitable minimum hand, you will be a big favorite to win 11 tricks. Bid four spades.