X-Clubs 52

Two basic rules in bridge play are: “second hand low” and “third hand high” and they are certainly good as far as they go. However they should not be followed blindly, because such rules are there to help with decisions, not become automatic. Another ‘rule’ that is closely tied in with the ‘rules’ for second and third hand play is the Rule of 11, which I explained earlier. Now let us take a look at the problems posed previously, and look at how the “Rule of 11” can be instrumental in your decision of which card to play as second or third hand.

Here are the problems from X-Clubs 50
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?

If your partner has led her fourth highest spade, what does the Rule of 11 tell you? It tells you that declarer does not have any spades higher than the seven, because 11-7 equals 4 and you have three of the higher cards and dummy has one. Why play ‘third hand high’ when you know that partner must have led the seven from a holding of Q1087. If you play the three, partner will remain on lead and, having read the situation, will continue the suit and lead through the king to your AJ9 and the defence will take four ricks from the word go. Most experienced declarers will play low from dummy in this sort of situation, expecting the third hand to play a high honour, thus giving declarer a second chance of making the king later if the opening leader has the ace.

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?

Once more, we have the decision of whether to play high. Normally partner would be happy for you to play your highest, but what does the lead tell you? Declarer has only one card higher than the seven, so it is almost certainly the ace or king. If you play your queen, declarer will win with the ace or king and dummy’s jack will become a second stopper in the suit. So, follow with the six or four and hope that when declarer wins the king or ace, partner will be able to read you for the queen. Whatever signals you use, the six or four will tell your partner that you are encouraging without wanting to play the queen. Did you spot where declarer went wrong? Yes, had declarer applied the rule of 11 he would have known that by covering in dummy with the EIGHT, you would have been forced to play the queen!

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?

This one is a bit more difficult. There are seven higher cards than the four, so declarer has three of them. They will almost certainly include two honour cards. Your best chance of doing damage is to play the NINE. Then, if you get another chance you will lead your queen and with only the jack left in dummy on its own, who knows?

The full deal will appear in X-Clubs 53, as will the full deal as it related to problem 4.