Bridge: Jan. 13, 2024

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

The play of a hand comprises all of 13 tricks. A capable declarer considers the play as a whole, not as a trick-by-trick exercise. He won’t play impulsively to the first trick; he will form a plan.

Against today’s 3NT, West led the queen of hearts, and declarer saw that the lead had presented him with a third heart trick. He won with the ace and led a heart to dummy’s ten.

THIRD HEART

South next led the A-K and a third diamond, but East discarded a club. West won, led a third heart, won the next diamond and cashed his last heart. He shifted to spades, and South won only eight tricks.

Declarer was so intent on winning a third heart that he forgot that he needed nine tricks in all. He should win the first heart with the king, preserving an entry to his hand, and lead the ace and a second club to his queen. He establishes four club tricks to go with two hearts, two diamonds and a spade.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A J 6 H K 10 3 D A K 7 5 3 C A 8. You open one diamond, and your partner bids one spade. The opponents pass. What do you say?

ANSWER: To describe a balanced hand slightly too strong for a 1NT opening, start with one of a suit and jump in notrump next: Bid 2NT. Your bid is not quite forcing, but your partner will rarely pass. If he next bids three diamonds or three hearts, you will bid three spades to show your three-card support.

North dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S A J 6

H K 10 3

D A K 7 5 3

C A 8

WEST

S K 5 3

H Q J 9 8

D Q J 9 4

C 10 2

EAST

S Q 10 8 4

H 7 4 2

D 10 6

C K 6 5 4

SOUTH

S 9 7 2

H A 6 5

D 8 2

C Q J 9 7 3

North East South West
1 D Pass 1 NT Pass
3 NT All Pass
Opening lead — H Q

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