This week’s columns have shown how declarer can draw helpful inferences from the opening lead. To test yourself, cover the East-West cards. You have a routine auction to 3NT, and West leads the deuce of spades. East plays the nine, and you win with the king.

How do you continue?

In real life, declarer saw no problem: At the second trick he led a club to dummy’s king, expecting five club tricks, two spades and two diamonds. When East unkindly discarded, South had a major problem: He could take only four clubs, and with West holding the ace of hearts, down one was the best South could do.

FIVE-CARD SUIT

South’s play in clubs would have been right if East had held all four missing clubs, but West’s deuce of spades suggested a four-card holding, and if he’d had no clubs, he would have had a five-card suit to lead from.

South should have inferred that only West could hold four clubs. If South leads the queen at Trick Two, he can pick up West’s J-9-7-6 and make the game.

Daily question: You hold: ? 4 3 ? 9 5 4 ? A 9 2 ? A K 8 5 4. Your partner opens one spade, you bid two clubs and he rebids two spades. What do you say?

Answer: This problem is taxing. If partner’s two spades systemically promises at least six cards, you could raise, but few partnerships have that agreement. You must do something; partner expects you to bid again after your two-level response. Try 2NT despite your heart weakness. A bold option is to bid three diamonds, forcing.

South dealer

N-S vulnerable

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