It isn’t true that you can’t exercise at the bridge table: Digging for facts is aerobic. But some players prefer jumping to conclusions.

In today’s deal, North’s raise to 4NT was quantitative, not ace-asking. South had a 17-point maximum and bid slam. Declarer won the first club in dummy and let the queen of spades ride. West took the king and led a second club, and South won as East threw a heart.

South next led the A-Q and a third diamond. When West followed low, South promptly put up dummy&’s king. East discarded again, and South had only 11 tricks.

“East had only one club,” South shrugged. “He didn’t figure to have only two diamonds.”

South should have excavated for a count of the defender’s distribution. After he wins the second club, he takes his spade tricks and the A-K of hearts. As it happens, West discards on the second heart and third spade, so South has a complete count: West’s pattern was 2-1-4-6. Then South knows what to do in diamonds.

Daily question: You hold: ? Q J 10 ? A 7 4 ? K 9 5 2 ? A Q 8. Both sides vulnerable. The dealer, at your right, opens one heart. What do you say?

Answer: You have the strength and pattern to overcall 1NT, showing a hand similar to a 1NT opening. I would be nervous about that call here, vulnerable, with only one heart stopper and no source of winners. If partner is broke, you might be doubled for a telephone-number penalty. I would pass but would accept a double.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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