Let's say you're declarer at three notrump and West leads a heart.  Your first problem is whether to play the queen or four from dummy - but this is not really a difficult choice.  It's better to play the queen, but let's see why.

If the queen wins, which means that West has the ace, you're on absolutely firm ground.  At trick two, you lead the nine of diamonds and finesse.  Win or lose, the contract is safe.  If West has the king of diamonds, he can't stop you from scoring nine tricks, while if East has the king, you're sure of at least 10 tricks. 

Now let's assume that East has the ace of hearts.  He takes the queen with the ace and returns a heart, which you duck.  You win the next heart and must then choose between a diamond or a club finesse.  

Again, the choice is not difficult.  Because West's remaining hearts pose a threat to the contract, you take the club finesse instead because East can do no harm if he has the queen.  In the actual deal, the club finesse loses and East does not have a heart to return.  When he returns a diamond, you rise with the ace and scamper off with nine tricks. 

Finally, if East does have a heart to return, it means the hearts were divided 4-4, so you still make the contract, losing three hearts and a club.

Note how straightforward logic dictates why you should play the queen of hearts at trick one, and also which suit - diamonds or clubs - to attack next, depending on who turns up with the ace of hearts.  Bridge is a logical game.

Source: Steve Becker, Globe and Mail, December 31, 2025