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Detail specifications 73OB - Level 1 ★

Cut off Opp's communication

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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
1NT
Pass
3NT
Pass
Pass
Pass
A
7
6
K
Q
J
2
9
7
6
5
8
5
    
K   
    
K
Q
8
3
10
9
8
A
K
8
A
9
6
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
K
J
9
4
K
Q
J
A
6
5
4
 6  
5  10
 K  
Q
8
A
10
5
A
10
9
K
10
9
7
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.
 
 
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