If he is good, you must be better

We have all heard the expression: "The best defense is a good offense." In a battle, perhaps; but at the bridge table, usually the best defense comes from counting high-card points - our subject this week.

To start, here is a deal that might look familiar. What should happen in four spades after West leads the heart king?

North's three-heart cue-bid showed spade support and at least game-invitational values, an overbid with a nine-loser hand. South's jump to game was also aggressive, but he thought he would benefit from the auction, which proved correct last week, but less so today!