Simple Saturday

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

A good writer is careful to use the more forceful active voice unless passive voice is indicated. A good defender is able to distinguish times when he must look for fast tricks (active defense) from times when he can wait (passive defense).

Against four spades, West takes the K-A of clubs. East plays the two and ten. West can expect South to have at least five trump tricks, and dummy’s diamonds will furnish four tricks even if East has the king. Since South clearly has the material for 10 or more tricks, the defense needs four in a hurry.

HEART TRICK

West must lead a heart — active defense — at Trick Three. East’s queen forces out South’s ace, and the defense cashes a heart when East takes the king of diamonds.

If South had the A-Q of hearts, West would lose nothing since South would discard hearts on dummy’s diamonds anyway. But if East has a high heart, West must get active.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ 6 5 ♡ Q 7 5 3 2 ♢ K 8 6 ♣ 10 9 2. The dealer, at your left, opens one club. Your partner doubles, you respond one heart and he bids three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: You should go to four hearts. Partner’s double obliged you to respond, and you would have bid one heart with no points at all. Even so, he expects you to take nine tricks, and since you actually have a fivecard suit, a queen and a king, you will take at least 10.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable