Simple Saturday columns focus on basic technique and logical thinking.

The most common mistake I see in inexperienced defenders is the failure to distinguish between “active” and “passive”defense. In some deals, the defenders must take their tricks or lose them; maybe declarer is about to discard losers on some winners in dummy. But in other deals, the defenders can wait for their tricks because declarer has no way to avoid his losers.

Against four hearts, West leads the queen of spades, and declarer takes dummy’s A-K to pitch a diamond (not best, perhaps). He leads a club to his jack, losing to Wes’s queen.

What should West lead next?

Dummy is now broke. What losers declarer has, he can’t avoid. West should lead a spade, forcing declarer to ruff and giving away nothing.

Any other lead would help declarer: A club or a diamond gives him a free finesse, and a trump makes an entry of dummy’s 9-8, letting declarer guess correctly to lead a second club toward his king.

Daily question: You hold: ? 8 6 4 3 2 ? J 3 ? J 9 8 ? A 9 6. The dealer, at your left, opens two diamonds (weak). Your partner doubles, you bid two spades and he raises to three spades. What do you say?

Answer: The key to this situation is to acknowledge that your hand might be worse. Partner asked you to bid, and you would have bid two spades without your ace and jacks. He thinks you can win nine tricks even so. Since you have a five-card suit as well, bid four spades.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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