Thinking Defence

Ballater 08/07/02

All Vul.  Dealer: W.  Matchpointed Pairs

9 8 6 5
A 9 8 6
Q J
A K Q
K Q J 10 3
J 10 2
A 9 2
9 4
N
W E
S
A 4
7
8 7 6 4 3
J 10 7 6 3
7 2
K Q 5 4 3
K 10 5
8 5 2
WestNorthEastSouth
Pass1ClubsPass1Hearts
1Spades2HeartsPass4Hearts
PassPassPass

I've been busy lambing and no Bridge for the last few weeks.  Into the notebooks and a hand for thinking Defence from Ballater, 8/7/02.

We were in 4 Hearts, the King of Spades led, only losing 2 Hearts and the Ace of Diamonds.  Experienced defenders will always be thinking about the best possible score for them and West, after East overtakes the Spade King and returns the 4, should now do some thinking.

If East has the DK or HQ, it will always be minus one for N/S.  Play AD to get an attitude signal, and the 3 would show nothing in Diamonds.  Think again...

Look at the trump suit.  You have J10x, Dummy has A986. If your partner has the 7, it will force the K or Q in South's hand, if you play a Spade, and you will now have a trump trick in your hand.

Play your small Spade, to be sure your partner trumps it, and the 7 of Hearts was what East had.  Everybody made 10 tricks.  Nearly all the more experienced players have a signalling system, and it will improve your results if you try to emulate them.  Ask any of the better players in your Club and they will be delighted to help.  We play high encouraging, and low discouraging in a suit Contract, and vice versa in No Trumps.