Chris Abani, a Nigerian- American author, said, “I have to have three or four books going simultaneously. If I’m not impressed in the first 20 pages, I don’t bother reading the rest, especially with novels.”

When you are defending against four of a major, you need four tricks to defeat the contract. As soon as you can see three winners, however unimpressed you are with your chances of a fourth trick, do not stop hunting for that vital extra winner.

In today’s deal, look first at the West hand. He is defending against four spades. Guided by his partner’s response, West leads his singleton heart. East wins with the jack and cashes the heart ace. What should West do now?

West had a normal threediamond opening bid. North had a textbook takeout double. Then East had an interesting problem. He had a fit for partner and a side-suit singleton, which suggested that a sacrifice might be profitable. But, by responding three hearts, he decided to indicate what rated to be the best lead for his partner. Then, he judged well not to sacrifice in five diamonds, which would have been doubled and set two, minus 500. Also, South correctly jumped to four spades with a hand worth an opening bid.

At trick two, West should hope that he has two discards to make; and if so, he should see how to defeat the contract. He pitches first the club nine, then the club two – high-low with a doubleton and asking partner to shift to that suit. Then, as long as East is watching, he will lead a club at trick four, which West will ruff to defeat the contract.