On “Simple Saturdays” I focus on basic technique and logical thinking.

As I write this, a thunderstorm has passed by, a rainbow is apologizing for the day’s angry sky, and the drip, drip of water outside my window reminds me of how players persist in letting “rules” guide them.

At today’s four spades, South ruffed the third diamond and took the A-K of trumps, applying the time-honored dictum of “eight ever, nine never.” When East discarded, South cashed the ace of hearts, led a club to his hand and tried a heart to dummy’s jack. He lost a heart and a trump: down one.

“Rules are rules,” declarer shrugged.

SECOND TRUMP

After South ruffs the third diamond, he can take the K-A of clubs, cash the ace of trumps and lead a second trump. When West follows low, South plays dummy’s ten.

When the finesse wins, declarer is safe. But if East had the queen, South would still make his game since East would be end-played, forced to lead a heart to dummy or concede a ruff-sluff.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ? K 10 7 ? A K J 10 3 ? 7 4 2 ? K 2.

You open one heart, and your partner bids one spade. North in today’s deal raised to two spades with this hand. Do you agree?

ANSWER: North had options. A rebid of two hearts or 1NT was acceptable. (Two hearts should show a six-card or longer suit, but North could treat his strong five-card suit as a six-carder.) I like North’s raise to two spades. Auctions are easier when a trump suit is set quickly.

—Tribune Media Services