COMPETITIVE DEFENSE

Dave LeGrowwww.davelegrow.comdave.legrow@att.net484-433-0098

Format of the ClassNotes and HandoutsExercisesInteractive: Questions and Challenges

Permitted?Expected?Required!

MaximsNever...

Underlead an ace in a suit contractLead an unsupported aceLie to your partner in your discarding

Always... Lead partner's bid suitLead 4th from longest and strongest vs. NTCover an honor with an honorSplit honorsPlay second hand lowPlay third hand high

When you don't know what to lead, lead trump

"Partner, why did you ________________________"

Defense is Hard Work Observation Counting

Each suit Honor Points

Deduction and Inference Distribution Location of Honor Cards The Concept of Negative Inference

The Role of Bidding in Defense Calls to Guide the Defense Calls to Crowd the Auction Calls to Force the Opposition Higher Calls to Find Productive Sacrifice Contracts

Visualization: Developing and Refining a Picture of All Hands Channeling Declarer (What is That?) Clues from the Bidding Information from Partner's Opening Lead Presentation of Dummy Declarer's Plays Partner's Plays and Signals

Visualization - 1 Neither side vulnerable...

South (You) K Q T 3 7 3 A 7 4 8 6 5 2

The bidding proceeds (your partner passes throughout):

West North East South1♣ Pass

1♦ Pass 1♥ Pass4♥ Pass Pass Pass

Visualization - 2Neither side vulnerable...

South (You) K Q T 3 7 3 A 7 4 8 6 5 2

The bidding proceeds:West North East South

1♥ 2♦ Dbl Pass

2♠ Pass Pass ?

Visualization - 3Neither side vulnerable...

South (You) K Q T 3 7 3 A 7 4 8 6 5 2

The bidding proceeds:West North East South

1♦ Pass 1NT Pass2♥ Pass 3NT PassPass Pass

If Opening Leader or Dummy, Predict Declarer's Hand; Otherwise, predict Opening Leader's Hand

 Board: _______ Prediction: Actual:

♠ ♠♥ ♥♦ ♦

  Board: _______ Prediction: Actual:

♠ ♠♥ ♥♦ ♦

Making Percentage PlaysAssume Opponents are in the Proper Contract - Unless...

 

Intermission

The Importance of Leads Opening Leads Leads During the Defense

Being Prepared for the Obvious Play; Keeping Tempo

Preparedness Bidding: (South) 1♣ - Pass - 1♦ - Pass - 1♥ - Pass - 4♥ - Pass - Pass - Pass. You lead ♠K and play proceeds with declarer winning the ♠A. Declarer studies the dummy for 10 seconds, and leads... 

North J 6 5 K Q 8 6 K J 8 5 K 4

West (You) East K Q T 3 4 7 3 A 7 4 8 6 5 2

South (Declarer) A

Patience on Defense Breaking New Suits: Pros and Cons Lost Trick Exchanged for Discard(s) Honors take Honors Avoid Taking (Optional) Tricks Without a Lead in Mind

Patience Bidding: (South) 1♣ - Pass - 1♦ - Pass –

1♥ - Pass - 4♥ - Pass – Pass - Pass.

You lead ♠K and play proceeds with declarer winning the ♠A. Declarer studies the dummy for 10 seconds, and leads... 

North 9 4 K J 8 6 K Q J 5 Q 7 4

West (You) East K Q T 3 5 7 3 A 9 7 4 J 5 2

South (Declarer) A

Deduction Without opposition, the opponents have bid to a contract of 4♠. You lead the ♥A; your partner plays the ♥8 (standard carding). What card do you play next? Why?  

North K 9 7 4 J 7 5 K 8 5 A 8 6

 West East 6 3 A K 6 4 2 8 9 7 4 2 K Q 5

 South 3

The Significance of Every Card What is a high card / low card in a suit?

Missing cards

Only Disclose Information Of More Value to Your Partner

The Good Partner Dilemma (Brilliance vs. Teamwork)

(Choose carefully…)

Defense is hard work Defensive bidding is critical Visualization - Develop and refine a picture of all hands Make percentage plays Be prepared for the obvious play; play in tempo You need to practice patience on defense Every card you play and every card your partner plays is significant Only disclose information of more value to your partner than to declarer When faced with a choice between being brilliant and being a good partner...