DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

“Simple Saturday” columns are meant to help aspiring players improve technique and develop logical thinking.

You’re declarer at today’s 3NT. You have 26 points in your hand and dummy, so you should have a chance. West leads the queen of hearts.

You can force out the defenders’ A- K of diamonds and you will have three diamond tricks, four spades and two hearts. But they have nine hearts, so one defender has at least five. They will get in twice to set up and cash their hearts, and you will lose two diamonds and three hearts.

Try the clubs, where you must lose the lead only once. With this holding, to lead twice toward the hand with two honors is best. Go to the ace of spades and return a club. East plays low, and your jack wins. Lead to the jack of spades to return a second club.

This time East must play the ace. You win the heart return and take the queen of clubs, two more spades and the king of clubs, making three. You would also succeed if clubs broke 3- 3. DAILY QUESTION You hold: your left, opens one spade. Your partner doubles, and the next player bids two spades. What do you say?

ANSWER: Partner has opening values or more with help for the unbid suits. You must act, especially since you may have a game. Bid three hearts. You would do the same to compete even if your hand were a bit weaker. Don’t worry about your ragged suit; in essence, you are “supporting” a suit partner implied. South dealer N- S vulnerable