DAILY BRIDGE CLUB

On March 15, the American Contract Bridge League’s 11- day Spring Championships start in Memphis, home to ACBL Headquarters, in observance of the league’s 75th birthday. Thousands of players will attend. Events will range from one -session games for beginners to national championships. (See acbl.org.)

The tournament will feature entertainment and a series of free lectures for newer players, and I will be there to speak on March 18. I avoid talking about bidding methods and “rules” in the play: I prefer to focus on logical thinking. DISCARDS At today’s 3NT East takes the ace of hearts and returns the 6 to South’s king. South must find the queen of diamonds, but first he cashes four clubs. West follows once, then discards two spades and the queen of hearts.

South knows West had four hearts (he led the deuce) and one club. With a five - card spade suit, he would have led a spade against 3NT. So South can place West with at least four diamonds. The “guess” for the queen of diamonds is easy.

Questions and comments: E-mail S tewart at frs1016@centurylink.net.