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Detail specifications 742C - Level 3 ★

Ducking on the lead in a NT contract

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You are player n°3. Your partner leads your suit, giving his count (odd/even).
Most of the time, the declarer holds one or two stopper(s) in your suit...and you don't have many entries !
You should duck on the 1st trick :
  • When the declarer has one stopper only, and you have no side entry
  • When the declarer has two stoppers, and you have one side entry only

In both cases, you need your partner to be in hand later in the game...
  • he is the one to replay your suit !

    • SWNE
    1
    1
    2NT
    Pass
    3NT
    Pass
    Pass
    Pass
     7  
       3
        
    A
    5
    A
    Q
    9
    9
    8
    7
    5
    3
    A
    2
    K
    10
    9
    8
    6
    8
    2
    A
    6
    2
    K
    6
    3
    Exercise 27351 Your partner leads your suit. How can you make 3 ♠ tricks when West holds QJx ? Don't play your K on the 1st trick. When your partner is in hand, he replays ♠. You even have a side entry (Ace ♣) to cash your remaining ♠.
     
     
    Example
    You are South. Your partner leads your suit : 2 ♥ . Should you take the 1st trick, or duck ?
    SWNE
    1
    1
    1NT
    Pass
    3NT
     2  
       3
        
    A
    Q
    5
    5
    K
    Q
    7
    5
    2
    A
    Q
    J
    K
    2
    A
    Q
    J
    10
    9
    8
    3
    8
    7
    6
    2
    Exercise 27350 Your partner leads odd/even.. therefore he has 3 cards. And the declarer holds the K 3rd. You have no side entry. Don't play your Ace, play your 9. Your partner has cards to replay your suit later on.
     
     
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