We are defending. Dummy is on your right, declarer on your left. Partner is on lead. You will be third to play to the trick, so we refer to you as "third hand." Here are some basic examples and rules for third hand play when we have the option to win the trick. (You are East every time here.)
Partner leads the 6, declarer plays low from dummy's three small cards. What to do?
ANSWER:
Play the Ace. Partner has led the suit, hoping to find you with some high cards there. Play the highest one you have, trying to win the trick. Unless there is something much more important to do right now, you will lead the Jack next. On a good day, partner will have started with K 10 8 6 and the two of you will trap declarer's queen.
RULE 1: THIRD HAND HIGH
Partner leads the 7, declarer calls for the 2 from dummy. Hmm, third hand high... play the Ace?
ANSWER:
Play the Queen. It would be obviously silly to play the Ace and set up dummy's King, when you could simply win the trick with the Queen. Note that you will
not cash the Ace right now unless it is the setting trick; cashing the Ace just sets up the King for declarer.
RULE 1: THIRD HAND HIGH
RULE 2: BUT NO HIGHER THAN NECESSARY Everybody likes a bargain; don't spend more than necessary.
Partner leads the 7, declarer calls for the 2 from dummy. Your play?
ANSWER:
Play the 10, not the Jack. No higher than necessary! When declarer wins with the Ace, partner will realize that you must have the Jack (and maybe the King). If declarer had the Jack, she would play it over your 10; since she didn't play the Jack, you must have it. When following suit with touching honors,
fol-LOW with the LOWest of touching honors.
RULE 1: THIRD HAND HIGH
RULE 2: BUT NO HIGHER THAN NECESSARY
You preempted at the three-level with this suit; declarer bid four in her own suit. Partner led the 8, declarer played the 4 from dummy. Your play?
ANSWER:
Play the 9. No higher than necessary! Yes, partner's 8 will win if declarer has the 7 (the only missing card in the suit). But partner won't be able to continue the suit, so it's necessary for you to take over with the 9,
following suit with the lowest of touching honors, the lowest card that will do the job.
RULE 1: THIRD HAND HIGH
RULE 2: BUT NO HIGHER THAN NECESSARY
You bid this suit and declarer bid notrump, ending the auction. Partner led the 7, declarer low from dummy. Your play?
ANSWER:
Play the 9. No higher than necessary,
lowest of touching honors, and
staying in control of the suit. Declarer obviously has the king. If you play the ace right now, you give declarer two tricks in the suit: the king and queen. If you play the nine now -- no higher than necessary to force the king -- declarer can never cash the queen. Your ace-jack will be good for two tricks over dummy's queen.
So, win one trick now and give declarer two tricks, or give declarer one trick now and get two for yourself later? Do the math, and stay in control of the suit.
RULE 1: THIRD HAND HIGH
RULE 2: BUT NO HIGHER THAN NECESSARY
RULE 3: AND KEEP CONTROL OVER DUMMY'S HONOR
Okay, last one for now...
A notrump contract: partner led the 2 and declarer played the 8 from dummy. What now?
ANSWER:
Play the Jack. Stay in control of the suit, no higher than necessary. We expect that partner's two is fourth-best from a king-high suit. When your jack holds, dummy's queen is toast: lead the ace next and continue with the nine to partner's king and another. Four tricks for the taking if you play your cards right! Note the difference between this and the very first example, where dummy did not have any honors in the suit.
RULE 1: THIRD HAND HIGH
RULE 2: BUT NO HIGHER THAN NECESSARY
RULE 3: AND KEEP CONTROL OVER DUMMY'S HONOR
-- Ray
Better Bridge in 5 Minutes. Guaranteed! (or the next one is free)
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