Bridge: April 27, 2024

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

As declarer, you will often face stressful guessing situations. Not even a world-class expert will guess right every time, but clues from the bidding and play may help. Moreover, the correct “guess” may be logically indicated.

In today’s deal West, who has overcalled in spades, leads the king against four hearts. South takes the ace and leads a trump from dummy, and East follows with the three.

If either defender has A-Q-x or if East started with Q-3-2, South must lose two trump tricks. He must hope East has A-3 or Q-3 (or A-3-2). Should South finesse with the jack or put up his king?

FOURTH SPADE

To finesse can’t be right. Suppose South’s jack forces out the ace from West. West can then cash two spades and lead a fourth spade, and when dummy ruffs, East will overruff with the queen.

South must put up his king of trumps. He will also succeed if West holds the singleton queen.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: S A 7 6 H 7 6 5 4 D 10 8 3 C Q 10 6. Your partner opens one spade. The next player bids two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Bid two spades. Though your hand is a minimum for a single raise, you can’t suppress your support. In some situations, a “free bid” of a new suit — when you have the option of passing to partner — may imply a sound hand, but a “free raise” has no such import. If you don’t act now, you may never have a chance.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

NORTH

S A 7 6

H 7 6 5 4

D 10 8 3

C Q 10 6

WEST

S K Q J 10 5

H Q 2

D Q J 9

C J 9 7

EAST

S 9

H A 3

D 7 6 5 4 2

C 8 5 4 3 2

SOUTH

S 8 4 3 2

H K J 10 9 8

D A K

C A K

South West North East
1 H 1 S 2 H Pass
4 H All Pass
Opening lead — S K

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