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Detail specifications 73OB - Level 1

Cut off Opp's communication

On a NT lead
  • Because of West's lead from a long suit, this can often put you in a precarious situation.
  • Example : West leads with the K . You have the ace 3rd in your hand and doubleton at dummy.
  • Let it go twice and only take the King on the 3rd round of play. This way you ensure that E doesn't have any more cards in his P's suit, so if E is in hand, he won't be able to return diamonds and put you at risk.
  • In this situation, West is the dangerous Opponent and you don't want him to be in hand after you've played A , otherwise the contract is likely to be down.

SWNE
1 SA Pass 3 SA Pass
Pass Pass
Ace Spades
7 Spades
6 Spades
King Hearts
Queen Hearts
Jack Hearts
2 Hearts
9 Clubs
7 Clubs
6 Clubs
5 Clubs
8 Diamonds
5 Diamonds
    
K   
    
King Spades
Queen Spades
8 Spades
3 Spades
10 Hearts
9 Hearts
8 Hearts
Ace Clubs
King Clubs
8 Clubs
Ace Diamonds
9 Diamonds
6 Diamonds
Exercise 2877 Opp leads R . Don't take it with your ace on the 1st round of play, wait until the 3rd round because you don't have 9 up front tricks. Opp will be in hand when you play . Hope that East has A .
 
 
Avoiding the dangerous Opp
  • If you have finesses to make, play avoiding the dangerous Opp.
  • Example. West leads a low ; you take it with the K and you still have the Q . You need to make at least 3 tricks in order to make your contract.
  • It's important not to put East in hand, because he is your dangerous Opp. Because if he is in hand, he'll play and go through your Q.
  • In this situation, if you have to play a finesse, make sure that you finesse the cards in West's hand, because if the finesse fails, you'll still make your Q.

7 Spades
King Hearts
Jack Hearts
9 Hearts
4 Hearts
King Clubs
Queen Clubs
Jack Clubs
Ace Diamonds
6 Diamonds
5 Diamonds
4 Diamonds
 6  
5  10
 K  
Queen Spades
8 Spades
Ace Hearts
10 Hearts
5 Hearts
Ace Clubs
10 Clubs
9 Clubs
King Diamonds
10 Diamonds
9 Diamonds
7 Diamonds
Exercise 2878 After a lead which you take with the K, only one option... play the 9 . You're always going to make 9 tricks even if the finesse fails. West can't do anything against your D which is now a doubleton.