Note:
Only summaries are included below -
see book for details
Partner Leads
Fourth Best — What
Next? 93
Declarer Passes the
Test
97
Partner Leads Fourth Best — What Next?
Use
The Rule of 11 to determine your play:
| |
|
When a
fourth-best lead is made, subtract the card led from
11. The difference represents the number of higher
cards held by the other three players (excluding the
opening leader).
|
|
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Do
not lose sleep figuring out why this is true; just accept it.
The following is also worth knowing about The Rule of 11:
1.
It does not apply when an honor card is led.
2.
Contrary to popular opinion, The Rule of 11 does apply
in suit contracts, provided the lead is fourth-best.
3.
The higher the card led, the easier it is for third hand to
learn more about declarer’s holding by applying The Rule of
11.
...
Declarer Passes the Test
After
a fourth-best lead is made, declarer's first thought should be
to apply The Rule of 11. This is easier to focus on in notrump,
where spot-card leads are always fourth-best. In a suit
contract, The Rule of 11 will still be meaningful after a
fourth-best lead. However, declarer must proceed with caution;
against suit contracts, the opening lead will often be made
from a shorter suit.
...
CHAPTER 12 -
DON'T BE STUMPED
WHEN PLAYING NOTRUMP
99
