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Bridge tips DEFENCE
#1
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Posted 2005-October-06, 01:37
Those are my principles. If you don't like them I have others. (Groucho Marx)
#2 Guest_Jlall_*
Posted 2005-October-06, 07:49
COUNT!
This is the only way to defend properly. You must count the high card points, declarer's tricks, your tricks, and the shape. These clues will help you piece together a puzzle and find the best play.
This is the only way to defend properly. You must count the high card points, declarer's tricks, your tricks, and the shape. These clues will help you piece together a puzzle and find the best play.
#3
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Posted 2005-October-06, 08:08
Third hand high? Not always.
Following adages is a poor excuse for not thinking. Suppose partner gets off to an unfortunate lead of the 2 of clubs (fourth best) against a heart contract and dummy comes down with the A109 of clubs while you hold J63.
Don't automatically follow the adage third hand high when declarer inserts the 9. Think instead. From what holding is partner likely to be leading - what will happen if the Jack is played?
Many times it doesn't matter - but there is one case where it matters a lot, and that is if partner has led from Kxxx. If you blindly follow third hand high and plunk down the jack, you establish a finesse position against the King and allow declarer to win three club tricks. But if you think instead and play third hand low, then declarer, if forced to lead this suit himself, can only muster two club tricks, which is what he was entitled to in the first place.
Winston
Following adages is a poor excuse for not thinking. Suppose partner gets off to an unfortunate lead of the 2 of clubs (fourth best) against a heart contract and dummy comes down with the A109 of clubs while you hold J63.
Don't automatically follow the adage third hand high when declarer inserts the 9. Think instead. From what holding is partner likely to be leading - what will happen if the Jack is played?
Many times it doesn't matter - but there is one case where it matters a lot, and that is if partner has led from Kxxx. If you blindly follow third hand high and plunk down the jack, you establish a finesse position against the King and allow declarer to win three club tricks. But if you think instead and play third hand low, then declarer, if forced to lead this suit himself, can only muster two club tricks, which is what he was entitled to in the first place.
Winston
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Black Lives Matter. / "I need ammunition, not a ride." Zelensky
#4 Guest_Jlall_*
Posted 2005-October-06, 08:50
Second hand low? Not always.
In many situations it's best to play second hand high. Some instances:
Partner has led a suit declarer has a double stopper in and you have a doubleton in. Declarer then leads his own long suit from dummy (JT9xx). With Kxx, consider flying with the king to preserve partners hypothetical entry of the ace. If you don't, partner will set up his suit but have no entry left.
Declarer has xxx in dummy opp AJ9 in hand and one entry to dummy. He uses it and you have QT or KT doubleton in front of the AJ9. If you play an honor, declarer may play you for KQ tight, but if you play the ten he has no guess.
Partner leads what might be a stiff heart against 4S. Dummy wins and leads a trump, and you have Axx. Play the ace to give partner a ruff.
There are many examples where it's right to play 2nd hand high, so don't always just woodenly follow with a low one.
In many situations it's best to play second hand high. Some instances:
Partner has led a suit declarer has a double stopper in and you have a doubleton in. Declarer then leads his own long suit from dummy (JT9xx). With Kxx, consider flying with the king to preserve partners hypothetical entry of the ace. If you don't, partner will set up his suit but have no entry left.
Declarer has xxx in dummy opp AJ9 in hand and one entry to dummy. He uses it and you have QT or KT doubleton in front of the AJ9. If you play an honor, declarer may play you for KQ tight, but if you play the ten he has no guess.
Partner leads what might be a stiff heart against 4S. Dummy wins and leads a trump, and you have Axx. Play the ace to give partner a ruff.
There are many examples where it's right to play 2nd hand high, so don't always just woodenly follow with a low one.
#5
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Posted 2005-October-06, 09:16
Third hand middle?
There are times when playing the middle card third hand can be the difference in winning and losing.
Suppose the opponents try for slam but stop after 2N-4N. Pard gets off the the best lead with the 2 of clubs. Declarer plays small from dummy. What card do you play?
If you play the Ace and return the 8, declarer covers but now holds the Q7 with partner left with the 106. When partner wins the diamond Queen, he cannot profitable play on clubs. But notice what happens if you play the club 8 at trick 1.
Declarer must win this trick with the Q or J else you have three quick club tricks. But now, when the diamond finesse fails, partner can lead a second club to your Ace, leaving you on play to lead a third killing club through declarer's J7 into partner's K10.
Just have apologies ready when partner has led from KJ62 instead, though.
Winston
There are times when playing the middle card third hand can be the difference in winning and losing.
Suppose the opponents try for slam but stop after 2N-4N. Pard gets off the the best lead with the 2 of clubs. Declarer plays small from dummy. What card do you play?
If you play the Ace and return the 8, declarer covers but now holds the Q7 with partner left with the 106. When partner wins the diamond Queen, he cannot profitable play on clubs. But notice what happens if you play the club 8 at trick 1.
Declarer must win this trick with the Q or J else you have three quick club tricks. But now, when the diamond finesse fails, partner can lead a second club to your Ace, leaving you on play to lead a third killing club through declarer's J7 into partner's K10.
Just have apologies ready when partner has led from KJ62 instead, though.
Winston
"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Black Lives Matter. / "I need ammunition, not a ride." Zelensky
#6
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Posted 2005-October-06, 09:20
Practice your declarer play! When on defense, try to figure out what declarer will have to do (or is trying to do) to thwart his plans.
The Grand Design, reflected in the face of Chaos...it's a fluke!
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