X-Clubs 50

For the next few weeks, I would like to introduce something different. The topic I am about to cover may be relevant to actual X-Clubs deals, in which case I will, as usual, write them up from actual play.

For the rest of the time, as in this issue, I will discuss a bit of theory, on DEFENCE, for any readers who are keen to improve their defence. I will start this issue with some theoretical questions relating to defensive play, and it would be helpful if the readers would participate by giving me their input, with answers to me (Vil) at villyn@xtra.co.nz

[Editor's note - you better Listen Up! Vil is too modest to mention it but he and partner Lynne Bruce were top of 207 pairs in the Tuesday Night session and again top but of 410 pairs in the Friday Daytime in the week (09) just passed. Vil must know what he's talking about, wouldn't you think?]

Why I love Defence

Good defenders can ‘see’ all four hands. Declarer can see only two. Defence takes two people, declarer play is for one person and a dummy. Two brains against one, isn’t that so? So why should you want to be declarer when the odds are stacked against you? Defending has all the odds stacked in your favour!

There is of course far more to it than that, but that is how I think about defence. Now it’s up to you to develop that combination with a regular partner so that you can defend as though it really was two against one.

As a prelude to our discourse about defence, here are some posers for our readers. Everyone should give these a go, especially those who are at the ‘improver’ level, but they may even trip up some of our more experienced readers!

This week’s posers:
1.The contract is 1NT after South has opened 1NT. Your partner (West) leads the seven of spades, and dummy’s spades are K62 and your (East) holding is AJ93. When declarer calls for the two from dummy, which card you you play?

2. Same again, 1NT by South. Partner leads the spade seven and dummy faces with J83. Your spades are Q64. Declarer plays the three from dummy. Which card do you play?

3. This time, South has opened 1NT and North raised to 3NT. Partner leads the four of spades and dummy’s spades are J8. Your spades are Q93. When declarer plays the spade eight from dummy, which card do you play?

4. This time South is in 4 Spades . South has opened the bidding with 1S and rebid spades, that is really all we need to know. Partner leads the six of diamonds. Here is what you, as East, see in dummy:

Q7

AK86

QT3

KT75

32

T932

K842

943

Declarer calls for the diamond ten from dummy. Which card do you play?

Give these ones a go. Just say which card you would play each time, no reasons are required. All the answers will help me get an appreciation of how to continue our discussion on defence.