Mae West said, "I believe that it's better to be looked over than it is to be overlooked."

That is so true at the bridge table. If you look over -- consider -- all the possible bids or plays, it is unlikely you will overlook the best.

In today's deal, there is a bid not understood by many players and a defense that would be missed by some.

First, consider the hand held by South. He opens one diamond and North responds one spade. What should South rebid?

Now look at West's cards. Defending against three no-trump, West leads the heart four: two, ace, three. East returns the heart five. After taking South's 10 with his jack, how should West continue?

In the auction, South should rebid three no-trump. This shows a hand too strong for a three-diamond rebid: some 17 to 19 high-card points, at least six good diamonds, stoppers in the unbid suits and often a singleton in responder's suit.

Now to the defense. When East leads back a heart, he plays his higher card with two remaining or his lowest with three left. Here, West should know that East started with four hearts. So West should cash the heart king to drop South's queen.

Now, though, West should be careful. It looks obvious to lead his last heart, taking a fourth trick in the suit. But what will East do next? He might shift to a club. Then, though, declarer takes the last nine tricks with three clubs and six diamonds.

West should protect his partner, cashing the spade ace before playing his fourth heart.

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