Defense 101- Lesson 6

Developing Defensive Tricks - Answers

Exercise 1 – Taking Sure Tricks

1) Q; overtake with A or K and lead other honor followed by the 2.

2) K; encourage with 7.

3) Q; overtake with K and lead back the 4.

Exercise 2 – Promoting Tricks

1) 7; 3

2) K; J

3) 10; 2 (low)

Exercise 3 – Establishing Long Suits

1) 8; K (or A)

2) 9; low (2, 4 or 6)

3) 9; low (3 or 4)

Exercise 4 – The Defensive Finesse

1) K; 2; Partner

2) Q; 4; Partner

3) Q; 8; You

Exercise 5 – Leading Through Strength

1) Partner

2) You

3) Partner

Exercise 6 – Ruffing Declarer’s Winners

1) West should lead the singleton diamond hoping that East can give West a ruff. East should win the DA and lead the D2 back as suit preference for clubs. West should trump the D2 and lead the C6 back to East’s CA. East should then return the D9 for West to trump. 3 diamonds (2 trumped) and 1 club sets the contract.

2) West should lead the singleton diamond. Even if East cannot win the first diamond, West has the SA (trump) to regain the lead and find an entry to East’s hand. Since East cannot win the first diamond, East plays the D10 to give suit reference for hearts. When declarer plays trumps, West should win the SA and lead the H2 to East’s HQ. East then leads a low diamond for West to trump. 1 spade, 2 hearts and 1 diamond ruff sets the contract.