BRIDGE NOTES.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 20316, 15 August 1931, Page 8

BRIDGE NOTES.

DEFENSIVE PLAY. (specially written foe the press.) [By William 6hacklk.] Following on my article regarding defensive play, the question arises of how to play the hand after one has been forced to make a conventional bid at partner's request. Often one is left with a weak No Trump hand, by reason of ■ the fact that owing to shortage in partner's suit, one has called him out and has to play the hand with little or no prospect of obtaining the bid. Thus, though nominally one is attacking, actually it is the reverse. In such cases, the following pointß should be used when attempting to make a finesse:— (a) Having one top honour in each hand, plus another honour, play low card from the hand that has the one honour only up to the hand with two honours. (b) Having A x x in one hand, plus Q J x in the other, lead the Q and, if it is covered by King, play the Ace; if not covered, let it . run. (c) Having A x x in one hand, Q x x in other, play small card from suit headed by Ace up to Q x x. (d) Having Q x x in one hand, J x x in other, leave the suit alone. When it is led, one is bound to make one trick in it, provided a small card is played as second player. (e) Let opponents make their high cards as early as possible, while you retain a card of re-entry in each suit, for instance, having A K x x in one hand and x x x in the other, play a small one from each hand on the first round. There is no chance of making four tricks in that suit, yet, by playing thus, one will probably make three tricks without having to use a re-entry card of another suit to make the 13th card when the suit has been at last established. (f) Having eight cards between the two hands, lead that suit at the very first opportunity, and continue to do so until such time as it is established. The lower the cards, the more important it is to load it, as till the high cards are played your length is useless. Unless the suit is played early in the hand, the length will only be wasted, as, though established, you will not be able to obtain the necessary lead by which to make them into tricks. The above section (f) gives the reason why, against No Trumps, the regulation lead is either highest card of your partner's long suit, which was his bid, or the fourth from- the top of your own longest suit if your partner did not bid. _ If your card makes the trick, continue with next highest card and so on, as only by this means can your partner make his little ones, unless lie has several cards of re-entry, a most unlikely contingency, in view of tho opponent's •No Trump bid. Questions relative to Bridge are always welcome, and if a stamped addressed envelope is enclosed, a reply will be sent direct. Address c-o The Vhess.