Note:
Only summaries are included below -
see book for details
When to Say No
to Second Hand
Low
155
You Be the
Judge
158
If Declarer
Smart, Defender
Not
162
Give Partner
the
Signal
164
When to Say No to Second Hand Low
“...the
world is full of competent declarers, but the truly expert
defender is a rare bird indeed.”
Hugh Kelsey
One
basic principle of card play is second hand low. When
you play second to a trick, there is usually no rush to play a
high card. Why? Because your partner still has the opportunity
to compete for the trick.
Second hand low, although sound advice, is only a guideline.
Sometimes logic dictates that you play second hand high. How
many exceptions are there to second hand low? The list
is longer than you might think. You should play second hand
high in order to:
1.
Take the setting trick.
2.
Obtain the lead (e.g., in order to give partner a ruff).
3.
Keep an opponent from winning a trick cheaply. For example,
you have KQJx and declarer leads toward dummy's A10.
4.
Win a trick that might disappear if you do not take it now.
5.
Prevent declarer or dummy from winning a singleton honor.
6.
Cover an honor, hoping to promote a card for your side.
7.
Preserve an entry to partner's hand (usually against notrump).
You Be the Judge
“The persons who feel it necessary to conclude each hand with
a magisterial correction of their partners (and their
opponents as well) have no place at the bridge table, or
anywhere else they might come into contact with civilized
beings.”
Elmer Davis, bridge writer, Harper's Magazine
A bridge partnership consists of two individuals, who
invariably have different points of view. Postmortems are
seldom dull, particularly after a disaster. Rationalization,
partner-bashing and damage control are inevitable, even when
the culprits are otherwise fair-minded.
...
If Declarer Smart, Defender Not
“Never reproach your partner if there is the slightest thing
for which you can reproach yourself.”
Ely Culbertson
If
your opponents are consistently bidding to the best contract,
you may not be competing and preempting enough. If declarer is
playing too skillfully, perhaps you are not putting up a
challenging enough defense.
...
Give Partner the Signal
Most
experts, if asked, are quick to explain suit-preference
signals. They emphasize that unlike all other defensive
signals, suit preference is usually given by the person
leading to the trick. Perhaps it might be more helpful if
they were called suit-preference leads.
Suit-preference signals are ideal when you are attempting to
give partner a ruff.
...
CHAPTER 18 -
DISCARDING:
THROW LOSERS, KEEP WINNERS
169
