Defence

DEFENCE! Defence is VERY difficult. Too many things to keep track of and you have NO IDEA what Partner has! But we all have to defend at times. So it is best to get used to it. (Or bid more.)

Here is your hand:
♠983
♥KQT8
♦A854
♣85

The contract is 3NT. Your LHO (Left Hand Opponent) opened the bidding 2NT and your RHO (Right Hand Opponent) bid 3NT. Partner leads the 2♦.

Dummy comes down with:

	Dummy ♠7654 ♥32 ♦T63 ♣AK42
Partner 2♦		You! ♠983 ♥KQT8 ♦A854 ♣85
	Declarer ???

Declarer plays small from Dummy. What card do YOU play?

You SHOULD play third hand HIGH. Play your A♦.

Now what card do you play next?

Show Answer

Return Partner's suit!

Is it really that big a deal if you don't? Your ♦ aren't that great...

True. But PARTNER's are!

Partner will take the next three tricks.

The Opponents will make 3NT but they can also make 4♠. (Did you notice that Dummy should have tried Stayman?)

Holding the Opponents to 3NT gets you 7.5 out of a possible 9 matchpoints.

Switching to any other suit (even your lovely ♥ suit) allows the Opponents to make an overtrick. You will now get 1.5 out of a possible 9.