AS readers of this column will know, I love hands where some very simple analysis (often just counting points) leads to success in declarer play and defence. The hand below is a good example of some clear card-reading.

Dealer — South

Neither Vulnerable.North

[spade]K Q 7

[heart] Q 9

[diamond]7 6 5 4

[club]10 9 3 2

West East

[spade]J 4 [spade]A 9 5

[heart]K J 8 7 5 4 3 [heart]10 6 2

[diamond]K 9 3 [diamond]A Q J 10 2

[club]6 [club]Q 7

Sout>

[spade]10 8 6 3 2

[heart]A

[diamond]8

[club]A K J 8 5 4

West North East Sou$>

— — — 1[club]

3|0xa4| Pass 4[heart] 4[spade]

Pass Pass 5[diamond] Pass

Pass 5[spade] Pass Pass

PassDavid Berkowitz had the East hand and followed the auction shown to drive his opponents to the five level and attract the diamond lead.

When his partner led a low diamond he won his ace . . . and shifted to a club, then took the spade ace and played a second club to get the ruff for down one.

Simple arithmetic had told him that declarer must be 6-5, so partner had a singleton club.

Great bridge all round by Berkowitz — the heart raise followed by the lead directing diamond bid got the opponents a level higher and got the defence off to the right lead.

He then followed up well in counting declarer’s distribution for a spectacular result.