DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

“If your project doesn’t work, look at the part you didn’t think was important.” — engineer’s maxim

Against today’s 3NT, West tried to hit his partner’s strength by leading a spade. Dummy played low, and East took the queen and, diagnosing the nature of the lead, shifted to the jack of hearts.

South put up his ace and started the diamonds. He hoped to find West with the defenders’ diamond trick (then South’s queen of hearts would be safe from attack). But East won the third diamond to continue hearts, and the defense took three hearts for down one.

South must have thought his play at Trick One wasn’t important, but if you’re going to make a fatal error, the first trick is the time. The defenders can’t beat the contract with spade tricks, but South must be concerned about a possible early heart shift through his A-Q.

South must grab the ace of spades and start the diamonds. He sets up four diamond tricks to go with three clubs, a heart and a spade.

DAILY QUESTION You hold: S A 8 6 3 H 5 2 D K 10 7 5 4 C K 7. Your partner opens one heart, and the next player passes. What do you say?

ANSWER: If your hand were stronger — say you had A 8 6 3, 5 2, A K 10 5 4, K 7 with enough values to force to game — the correct response would be two diamonds.

You could afford to show your longest suit first and bid spades later. With your actual hand, take your one opportunity to look for a fit in the major suit. Respond one spade.