Good defensive play is a partnership affair; a wagon won’t work if one wheel decides not to function. Against 3NT, West led the jack of spades, and East signaled encouragement with the seven. South won with the king and led the king of diamonds, and since East was reluctant to see dummy’s diamonds become high, he played low.

Declarer then let the ten of clubs ride. East took his king and returned the queen of spades, but South had nine tricks: two spades, two hearts, four clubs and one diamond.

ENTRY

To hold up a winner is often correct, but not here when dummy has an entry to the diamonds. Instead, East must focus on setting up the spades while he still has the king of clubs as a second entry. If East wins the first diamond and leads the queen of spades, he holds South to eight tricks.

When you are a defender, help your partner. Signal when necessary. Follow your partner’s line of defense.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ? A K ? A K 7 6 ? K 8 ? 10 9 8 4 2. The dealer, at your right, opens one spade. You double, and your partner responds (“advances”) two hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: You have a fine hand, but you must recall that your partner was obliged to take out your double regardless of his strength or the quality of his suit. He certainly has fewer than 10 points and may have none. Bid three hearts. Trust him to go on if he has a few useful points.