Class No. 3 – Wednesday, April 22

Third‑Hand Play – Should you play high, not so high or low?

Partner has led … what is your responsibility? Should you be playing high? Should you be playing low? Should you be signaling? If so what signal should you be giving?

At the conclusion of this class participants should know:

1. How to decide to play high or low as third‑hand.
2. Rules you can use.
3. How to recognize the exceptions.
4. Which card to play when you return partner’s lead?

No Class – Wednesday, April 15

No class this week - Gatlinburg.

Quiz 2 - Leading Against 1Nt

You are sitting South on lead against a 1Nt contract. Neither you nor your partner bid in the auction. The auction was …




Here is your hand (in order spades, hearts, diamonds & clubs) ...

1065
Q54
AQ92
AJ5

1. Would you consider leading a spade? Why/Why not?
2. Would you consider leading a heart? Why/Why Not?
3. Would you consider leading a diamond? Why/Why Not?
4. Would you consider leading a club? Why/Why Not?
5. What are you going to lead?
6. Would you lead differently if leading against 3Nt?

Quiz 2 Answers

Wednesday, April 15

Next week is Gatlinburg … there will NOT be a defense class on Wednesday, April 15.

Class No. 2 – Wednesday, April 8

Leading Against Suit Contracts – Should you be the bull or the bear?

When making your opening lead against a suit contract, a major concern is whether to initiate an ‘active’ or ‘passive’ defense. The auction helps you decide … are you listening to the opponents? They are telling you about their hands and they are telling you the winning defensive strategy. In addition, we continue the discussion about “standard leads” … what are they?, why make standard leads?, etc.

At the conclusion of this class participants should know:

1. Difference between ‘active’ and ‘passive’ strategies and when to choose.
2. When you should lead trump.
3. How to use clues from the auction.
4. How to defensively evaluate your hand.
5. How to choose the right suit and right card.

Class No. 1 – Wednesday, April 1

Leading Against Notrump Contracts – Not your mother’s same ole leads!

Please don’t tell me you are going to lead fourth from your longest and strongest suit. Defending against notrump contracts is a race. Who can establish their tricks first? What if the opponents have bid your longest suit? What if your longest suit is scrawny? What if you do not have any defensive entries into your hand? What if partner bid? What if partner had the opportunity to bid or double and didn’t? There are many considerations to choosing the right lead.

At the conclusion of this class participants should know:

1. How to evaluate your hand.
2. How to evaluate the auction.
3. How to determine the best defensive strategy.
4. How to choose the best suit to lead against a notrump contract.
5. How to choose the right card to lead once you’ve chosen the suit.

Quiz 1 - Leading Against Notrump

You are on lead against a 3Nt contract. Neither you nor your partner bid in the auction and the opponents' bidding gave little away. The auction was …

1Nt (15-17 hcp) – 2Nt (invitational showing 8-9 hcp)
3Nt – All PASS

You are on lead, and decide to lead from the only strength in your hand. What would you lead from the following holdings (if it makes a difference to you, say this is your diamond suit):

a) AQJ2
b) AQ862
c) AQ62

Quiz 1 Answers