Beginners
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Beginners Lesson 16 Declarer Play in No Trumps
Declarer Play in NT • The Auction is complete • The opening lead is made • Dummy goes down • Is it the right contract? • It is now irrelevant • Because its what you have to play • So concentrate on that
Prepare a Cunning Plan • Keep Control of the Suits • How many top tricks are there? • How many more are needed? • Where can we establish them? • Are there any dangers? • If it looks impossible is there a gambling option?
A Q 2 K 5 4 Q T 4 K 6 3 1NT 3NT K 8 A Q 7 2 Q J 4 3 2 T 7 5 2NT
A Q 2 K 5 4 Q T 4 K 6 3 K 8 A Q 7 2 Q J 4 3 2 T 7 5 6 How Many Top Tricks? How Many more needed? 3 Are there any dangers? Where can we establish the extra tricks?
A Q 2 K J 4 A K 4 Q J 3 • Contract is • 6NT A 8 K 9 7 2 Q J 4 3 2 K T 5 8 How Many Top Tricks? How Many more needed? 4 Are there any dangers? Where can we establish the extra tricks?
Establishing Tricks in Long Suits • With 8 cards the most likely split for the remaining 5 is 3/2 • If you have 5 in 1 hand you will probably make 2 when opponents are out Q J 4 3 2 T 7 5 • Lead 2 toward T • Then 5 toward Q • You lose A and K • Then make 3 tricks
When you have an honour sequence with a gap: The A will always make If you play A followed by Q the Q will lose to the K Lead low toward AQ and put up Q unless K is played If K is onside it makes If offside it fails So 50% of the time you make an extra trick The Finesse 5 4 A Q 2
Lead 2 toward Q If K is onside you make the Q If offside you don’t It makes 50% of the time If you lead Q toward A good defenders will play K to limit you to 1 trick The Finesse • It works with the honours on opposite sides: Q 5 4 A 2
Finessing towards lower honours Lead 5 towards KJ If 2nd player plays low put up J If 2nd player plays A play low If 2nd player plays Q play K Then lead 7 towards remaining honour If either A or Q is onside you make 1 If Both are onside you make 2 The Finesse 7 5 K J 6
With 2 lower honours take a double finesse Lead 4 and put up T It probably fails (75%) Then lead 5 towards J Good chance of making 2 tricks Only fails if both K and Q are offside The Finesse A J T 6 5 4
A Q 2 J 5 4 Q T 4 Contract 3NT K J 6 3 K J 8 A Q 7 Q 4 3 2 J T 5 1 in maybe 2 Finesse in 4 Top Tricks Establish 3 more in
Finesses • Where you can take a finesse without danger take it • When you need an extra trick and have no other option take it • If either opponents bid you can expect high cards to be in that hand – so with a choice finesse away from the strong hand • Establishing tricks in a long suit (8+) is usually a better option
Keeping Control • In NT contracts control is essential • If you have to establish a suit do NOT cash other winners • It gives the defence extra tricks with small cards • If one defender has 6 cards in a suit where you have AKQ and you cash them they take 3 tricks if they get back in • So – set up enough winners, then cash them!
Keeping Control A Q 3 K 5 4 • 28 HCP • 7 top tricks • danger • Establish • Then cash other suits Q T 4 A 3 A Q 8 K J 7 J 9 8 7 2 Q 5 4 3 If you cash ‘s or ‘s first you give away cheap tricks
Keeping Control • Do NOT cash winners until you have established enough tricks for the contract • Except!! • When cashing winners will clear the suit thus avoiding cheap winners for the defence • This has a squeeze effect and defence may have to throw cards they expect to win.
Keeping Control A Q 3 6 5 4 • Contract 3NT • 28 HCP • 7 top tricks • danger • Run • Then establish ‘s Q T 4 A 3 Q T 8 K J 7 A K 8 7 2 Q 5 4 3 Running ‘s defence have 6 discards. May give clues to missing K’s. ‘s may be discarded.
Taking a Gamble! A 7 6 3 2 • 1NT - they all Passed! • 3 winners • Looks hopeless • Only hope is if K is singleton • Lead A and pray! 8 7 A 4 3 2 7 6 3 Q 9 2 Q J T 9 A 2 6 5 4
Summary • Make a Plan • Long suits are preferable to finesses for establishing tricks • Use finesses when it is either the only chance or there is no danger • Keep Suit Control • Only cash winners when the contract is safe or you can clear the suit • Do NOT give away cheap tricks • Defence often help if you let them!