One of the most frequent mistakes defenders make is playing new suits. Playing an unplayed suit can reveal the position of honors, allow declarer to win tricks that he shouldn’t, or fail to establish tricks previously set up. That said, the auction, dummy, or play may lead you to think a switch is desirable, but you should be sure. What do you do on these deals?
West |
North |
(You) East |
South |
---|---|---|---|
1 | |||
Pass | 1 | Pass |
1NT |
Pass | 3NT | All Pass |
Partner leads the 5. Declarer wins the K, plays a low heart to the K in his hand and leads the Q ducked around to your king (losing the finesse) which you choose to win. What do you play next?
DUMMY AK |
|
YOU 962 |
West |
North |
(You) East |
South |
---|---|---|---|
1NT | |||
Pass | 3NT | All Pass |
Partner leads the J. Declarer wins the Q and leads the K. You duck and declarer now plays the 3 which you win with the A and partner plays the 3. What suit do you play?
DUMMY Q4 |
|
YOU 852 |
(You) West
| North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
1 | |||
Pass | 4* | Pass | 4 |
All Pass |
* Splinter bid, showing a singleton or void in hearts, game forcing values, and 4 spades
Playing standard carding. You lead the A. Partner plays the 7 and declarer plays the 10. What next?
DUMMY QJ103 |
|
YOU 982 |
West |
North |
(You) East |
South |
---|---|---|---|
1NT | |||
Pass | 2 | Pass | 2 |
Pass | 2NT | Pass | 3NT |
All Pass |
Partner leads the 7 and you choose to win your A (I'm twisting your arm). Declarer plays the Q. What do you play next?
DUMMY KQ53 |
|
YOU 97 |
West |
North |
(You) East |
South |
---|---|---|---|
1 | |||
Pass | 1 | Pass | 1NT |
Pass | 3NT | All Pass |
Partner leads the 2 against 3NT.
DUMMY AQJ |
|
YOU 9863 |
Dummy's jack wins and now declarer plays a club from dummy to the K and continues with the Q which you win (partner plays the 8 and then 3). What do you play next?
West |
North |
(You) East |
South |
---|---|---|---|
1 | |||
Pass | 2 | Pass | 3 |
Pass | 4 | All Pass |
Partner leads the 2 against 4, playing 4th-best leads. You win the K. Now what?
DUMMY J108 |
|
YOU 4 |
(You) West |
North |
East |
South |
---|---|---|---|
1 | |||
Pass | 1NT | Pass | 2 |
Pass | 2 | All Pass |
You lead the Q, dummy plays low and partner signals with the 9, declarer playing low. You continue with the 10 and it goes low-low-ruff by declarer. Now declarer plays a spade to the K and a spade to the J and your Q. What suit do you play next?
Dummy K8 |
|
YOU Q5 |