In a beginning bridge class, you learn that you must follow suit. Declarer can take advantage of that obligation in the play.

In today’s deal, 3NT would have been an easier contract, but South played at four hearts. West led the queen of diamonds, winning, and then the 10 and jack (not best). Declarer ruffed the third diamond, drew trumps, led a spade to dummy’s king and returned a spade to his jack — losing. He also lost a club and went down.

If declarer leads clubs, the defenders must follow suit. After four club leads, only dummy will have one left, and then if trumps are drawn, that long club will be a winner.

ENTRY

After declarer ruffs the third diamond, he should play a low club from both hands, to preserve a needed entry. If East wins and leads a spade, South takes the ace, leads a club to the ace and ruffs a club. He cashes the A-K of trumps, ruffs a club and draws the missing trump.

South can then go to the king of spades to pitch his jack of spades on the fifth club.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ? K 5 4 ? K 2 ? K 7 3 ? A 6 5 4 2. Your partner opens one spade, you respond two clubs and he bids two diamonds. What do you say?

ANSWER: You have enough strength for game. In a “Standard” system, jump to three spades, forcing. A bid of two spades would invite. A bid of four spades would show a hand such as KQ3,32,876,AKQ42. In a style where your two-club response forced to game, you could bid two spades. That style has benefits and drawbacks.