Guide Dog Part 1

KRZYSZTOF
MARTENS
GUIDE
DOG
PART I
GARSŲ PASAULIS
Vilnius 2010
Copyright ©
Krzysztof MARTENS
Translated by:
Maciej POTZ
Editor:
Barry RIGAL
Cover design by:

Aleksandra BERKOWSKA
Garsų Pasaulis – Vilnius

ISBN
Contents
PART 1: PUTTING ON THE RIGHT TRACK
EXAMPLES ............................................................................................6
ALARM - CLOCK PLAY 1–4...................................................................22
INFORMATION 1–3..............................................................................32
AGAINST ROUTINE ..............................................................................45
SIGNALS INTERPRETATION .................................................................47
SHARED KNOWLEDGE OF THE BRIDGE PARTNERSHIP ......................... 51
THE CONCEPT OF A CONDITIONAL THIRD-HAND RUFF ........................ 55
COOPERATION 1–2 .............................................................................60
IRON LOGIC ........................................................................................65
GUIDE DOG 1–6 ..................................................................................68
DOUBTS 1–3 .......................................................................................84
MAKING LIFE EASIER 1–6...................................................................94
IT’S ALL ABOUT CONTEXT .................................................................113
THE RIGHT TRACK 1–2 .....................................................................116
THE RIGHT TIME ...............................................................................121
CAMOUFLAGE ...................................................................................123
PROTECTION 1–2..............................................................................126
THE WRONG TRACK ..........................................................................131
A CONTROVERSY ...............................................................................135
3
PART 2: SUIT PREFERENCE
EXAMPLES ........................................................................................142
THE OTHER FACE OF SUIT PREFERENCE ...........................................163
SUBTLE 1–5......................................................................................166
MULTIDIMENSIONAL ........................................................................184
THE INTERPRETATION OF SIGNALS ...................................................190
INFORMATION 1–7............................................................................193
THE RIGHT TIME ...............................................................................213
LIKE MUSIC 1–2 ...............................................................................216
COOPERATION 1–3 ...........................................................................221
THE SUGGESTED LINE OF DEFENSE 1–2 ...........................................229
PRECISION ........................................................................................235
MULTIPLE ........................................................................................240
CONVINCING.....................................................................................244
S/P AS A TRAP-AVOIDANCE MEASURE ...............................................246
S/P – A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH........................................................250
REPEATED ........................................................................................255
A DILEMMA .......................................................................................258
MISLEADING .....................................................................................261
TYPICAL 1–4.....................................................................................263
NONSENSE........................................................................................274
SUGGESTION AND INFORMATION ......................................................276
CAREFUL DEFENSE ...........................................................................278
EMPHASIZING AND DE-EMPHASIZING ...............................................280
KEEP YOUR MIND BUSY ....................................................................283
A SUBTLE POSITION ..........................................................................286
S/P, BUT WHICH SUIT? ......................................................................290
THE RIGHT MOMENT .........................................................................293
HARD TO BELIEVE ............................................................................298
4
Part 1:
PUTTING ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Putting partner on the right track requires enormous effort. The

analysis we routinely undertake must take into account partner’s
problems, too. This is extremely difficult. We have to double our
efforts bearing in mind that clues on which we base our
conclusions may not be available from the opposite side of the
bridge table. What is obvious to me may not necessarily be self-
evident to partner. Any help will be truly appreciated and, no less
importantly, will reduce considerably the amount of defensive
errors committed by our partnership.
5
Part 1: Putting on the Right Track
EXAMPLES
I.
The basic skill of a guide dog is showing the way.
You are sitting North.
W N E S
1♠ 2♦ 4♠ Pass…
Lead: ♥7
♠ AJ
♥ 76
♦ A J 10 9 8 7
♣ J 10 3
♠ KQ963 N ♠ 10 8 7 4 2
♥ 9842 ♥ A5
♦ KQ5 W E ♦ 43
♣ K S ♣ AQ75
♠ 5
♥ K Q J 10 3
♦ 62
♣ 98642
Partner drops the King under dummy’s Ace.

After getting in with the ♠A, we should cash the ♦A and only
then play another heart. This way, we deprive partner of the
natural but unsuccessful option – of playing a diamond through
when in with the Heart Queen.
It leaves him with just one sensible choice: the trump promotion.
6
Examples
II.
The guide dog makes life easier.
You are sitting South.
W N E S
1NT Pass 3NT Pass…
♠ 753
♥ A 10 8 5 2
♦ 62
♣ Q54
♠ KQ N ♠ A8
♥ K43 ♥ 976
♦ A4 W E ♦ J 10 7 5 3
♣ K J 10 9 8 6 S ♣ A73
♠ J 10 9 6 4 2
♥ QJ
♦ KQ98
♣ 2
Lead: ♥5 (4th best). You inserted the Jack and declarer won his
King. He then played the Ace and another club. What do you
discard?
The rule of 11 tells you declarer had only one card higher than
the ♥5. Make an effort to count to eleven.
Throw the Queen of hearts.
7
III.
Another important skill of the guide dog is avoiding obstacles on
the way.
Pairs tournament. You are sitting South.
W N E S
1♦ Pass 2♣ Pass
♠ J 10 9 6
♥ 10 8 6 5
♦ Q 10 9
♣ 32
♠ A43 N ♠ Q8
♥ A42 ♥ Q7
♦ KJ873 W E ♦ A65
♣ J 10 S ♣ AQ8654
♠ K752
♥ KJ93
♦ 42
♣ K97
Lead: ♠J. You win dummy’s Queen with the King as declarer
plays the ♠3.
If you return the ♠2 – the correct card according to your count
signaling methods – West will rise with the Ace and take the club
finesse. The result: 9 tricks.
The effective continuation at trick two is the ♠7.
This is how you would play from ♠K7x. Declarer, fearing the 5-3
split, will duck again. Now if your partner is wide awake he will
realize that his best chance to set the hand will be the heart
switch.
8
Examples
IV.
Another important skill of a guide dog is locating, and safely
leading his partner up and down, the stairs.
Pairs tournament. You are sitting North.
W N E S
1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass
2NT = Extra Values
♠ 6532
♥ A63
♦ J64
♣ 10 5 2
♠ Q J 10 8 7 N ♠ K9
♥ KQ ♥ J92
♦ Q87 W E ♦ A2
♣ AJ6 S ♣ KQ9873
♠ A4
♥ 10 8 7 5 4
♦ K 10 9 5 3
♣ 4
Lead: ♦4.
Partner wins the King and returns the ♦10.
You should play the ♦J. True, following with the ♠6 to partner’s
Ace at the next trick (the ♠K was led) might suggest the heart
switch, but the failure to sacrifice the Jack of diamonds would
surely indicate the possession of the Queen.
All we want is one more trick. The key is to show partner the
right suit.
9
V.
It’s in the nature of every working dog, including the guide dog, to
protect their master from taking a false step.
W N E S
3♥ Pass...
♠ A 10 8 3 2
♥ 53
♦ K86
♣ Q 10 9
♠ 5 N ♠ KJ964
♥ Q J 10 8 7 4 2 ♥ 96
♦ Q4 W E ♦ J92
♣ A54 S ♣ KJ7
♠ Q7
♥ AK
♦ A 10 7 5 3
♣ 8632
Lead: ♣10.
West tried the Jack and South signaled an even number of clubs.
When a trump is led from dummy, partner puts up the King and
switches to the ♦5, West following with the ♦4.
You win the King and…
The thoughtless diamond continuation will make partner return
the suit once again and the spade trick will be gone.
10
Examples
Cashing the spade Ace, however, may prove disastrous if declarer

holds something like:
♠—
♥ Q J 10 8 7 4 2
♦ 10 4 3
♣A54
The safe and correct play is to switch passively to clubs (better
still, to the ♣Q, to prevent partner from thinking that we are
looking for a club ruff).
11
VI.
If two paths are possible, blocking one of them directs partner
onto the right one.
You are sitting North.
W N E S
♠ KJ9
♥ K63
♦ 63
♣ A 10 7 5 2
♠ Q763 N ♠ 10 8 2
♥ A 10 8 5 ♥ QJ7
♦ AJ W E ♦ K Q 10 9 2
♣ KQ6 S ♣ J4
♠ A54
♥ 942
♦ 8754
♣ 983
Lead: ♣5. Dummy’s Jack wins the trick as South follows with the
♣9. Declarer finesses in hearts (♥9 from partner). We take the
King and… cash the ♣A! Only now do we switch to the ♠9. Since
we’ve made a club return pointless, partner will have no option
but to continue spades.
12
Examples
VII.
It requires some effort to show partner the right way if a sensible
alternative exists.
W N E S
♠ Q852
♥ K63
♦ 6
♣ AQ752
♠ KJ3 N ♠ 10 9 6
♥ AQJ5 ♥ 10 9 2
♦ 10 8 7 W E ♦ AKQJ2
♣ KJ6 S ♣ 10 9
♠ A74
♥ 874
♦ 9543
♣ 843
Lead: ♣5. Dummy’s nine holds (South follows with the ♣8) and
declarer continues with the ♥10. South should now signal suit
preference. By playing the ♥8, he directs his partner’s attention
to the spade suit
After winning the King we should play carefully play – the eight
of spades!!!
Partner will take the Ace and duly return a club through.
If, on the other hand, North desired the spade continuation
rather than the club switch – holding ♠KJxx – he would shifted to
his smallest spade.
13
VIII.
False information can maneuver partner into the desired switch.
Pairs tournament. You are sitting South.
W N E S
1♦ Pass 1 ♠ Pass
3NT Pass…
♠ 75
♥ K7653
♦ 10 2
♣ 9763
♠ 3 N ♠ K J 10 9 4 2
♥ J 10 ♥ Q94
♦ AKQJ983 W E ♦ 74
♣ AQ2 S ♣ J8
♠ AQ62
♥ A82
♦ 65
♣ K 10 5 4
Lead: ♥5. You should take the ace and return the ♥2. According
to your agreements, that shows two (or four) hearts. As a result,
partner will not hold up the ace. Instead he will win and if you
are lucky he will switch to spades. All you need to do now is to
cash the two spade tricks and exit with a diamond. The result:
one down.
14
Examples
When would it be necessary (from South’s perspective) from

North to duck the heart?
If the four hands were:
♠ 75
♥ K7653
♦ 10 2
♣ 9763
♠ Q N ♠ K J 10 9 4 2
♥ J 10 ♥ Q94
♦ AKQJ983 W E ♦ 74
♣ KQ2 S ♣ J8
♠ A863
♥ A82
♦ 65
♣ A 10 5 4
In this case South should return the ♥8, not the ♥2.
15
IX.
Even if partner’s action looks doubtful to us, we should trust he
knows what he is doing.
W N E S
1♥ Pass 2NT Pass
4♥ Pass…
2NT = forcing with support.
N ♠ 43
♥ QJ3
W E ♦ 10 7 5
S ♣ A K Q 10 6
♠ J 10 9 8 7
♥ 98
♦ K842
♣ 95
Lead: ♠2. West took our ♠7 with the Ace, crossed to dummy in
clubs (North followed with the ♣2) and led the ♥Q. Partner won
the King and switched to the Ace and Queen of diamonds. What
should you do?
16
Examples
a) You overtook with the King …
♠ Q652
♥ K72
♦ AQ3
♣ 872
♠ AK N ♠ 43
♥ A 10 6 5 4 ♥ QJ3
♦ J96 W E ♦ 10 7 5
♣ J43 S ♣ A K Q 10 6
♠ J 10 9 8 7
♥ 98
♦ K842
♣ 95
... and everybody looked surprised.
b) You let the Queen win and… partner made an angry face.
♠ Q652
♥ K72
♦ AQ
♣ 8742
♠ AK N ♠ 43
♥ A 10 6 5 4 ♥ QJ3
♦ J963 W E ♦ 10 7 5
♣ J3 S ♣ A K Q 10 6
♠ J 10 9 8 7
♥ 98
♦ K842
♣ 95
17
In the a) layout your partner missed an expert play. With ♦AQx

he should have cashed the Queen first, and only then led the Ace
and another diamond.
In b) the fault is all yours. The play of an Ace followed by the

Queen suggests the lack of a third diamond. Consequently, you
should have overtaken.
18
Examples
X.
Partner should not make us guess.
W N E S
1♦
2♣ 4♥ 5♣ Dbl
Pass…
♠ J 10 3
♥ A J 10 6 5 3 2
♦ J 10 2
♣ —
N ♠ K7652
♥ 98
W E ♦ 4
S ♣ 96543
Lead: ♦J. South won the King and switched to the ♥K.
What should you do?
19
a) You gave count and were surprised when partner failed to

continue the suit.
♠ J 10 3
♥ A J 10 6 5 3 2
♦ J 10 2
♣ —
♠ AQ N ♠ K7652
♥ Q74 ♥ 98
♦ Q96 W E ♦ 4
♣ A Q 10 7 2 S ♣ 96543
♠ 984
♥ K
♦ AK8753
♣ KJ8
b) You overtook with the Ace and soon declarer was claiming 11
tricks.
♠ J 10 3
♥ A J 10 6 5 3 2
♦ J 10 2
♣ —
♠ AQ N ♠ K7652
♥ Q7 ♥ 98
♦ Q963 W E ♦ 4
♣ A Q 10 7 2 S ♣ 96543
♠ 984
♥ K4
♦ AK875
♣ KJ8
20
Examples
In a) North made the mistake of ducking partner’s King.
In b) South was to blame for playing the King, instead of a small

heart at Trick 2. It’s hard to imagine North switching to another
suit after winning the ♥A.
21
ALARM - CLOCK PLAY 1

Remember: your „table presence” allows you to draw far-reaching
conclusions. These inferences may not always be available to your
partner, who may have difficulties noticing and understanding
some of the opponents’ actions. You have to wake him up, from
time to time, with an „alarm- clock” play.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1NT Pass 3NT Pass
1NT = 13–15 HCP
N ♠ K7
♥ 53
W E ♦ J 10 9 7 5 2
S ♣ AKQ
♠ Q 10 9 4
♥ AJ62
♦ Q3
♣ 876
Lead: ♠3. Having considered the matter thoroughly, declarer

called for a low card from dummy. You played the Queen, West
following resignedly with the ♠8.
Plan the defense.
22
Alarm - clock Play 1
Here comes the full deal:
♠ A6532
♥ 10 8 7 4
♦ 4
♣ J53
♠ J8 N ♠ K7
♥ KQ9 ♥ 53
♦ AK86 W E ♦ J 10 9 7 5 2
♣ 10 9 4 2 S ♣ AKQ
♠ Q 10 9 4
♥ AJ62
♦ Q3
♣ 876
After the pantomime performance by declarer the layout of the

spade suit has become clear to you. Partner has five to the Ace
and West the doubleton Jack. You should realize that the correct
continuation of the ♠4, while blocking the suit, leads to a certain
one down (four spades and the ♥A).
23
Imagine a slightly different layout:
♠ A6532
♥ 10 8 7 4
♦ 4
♣ J53
♠ J98 N ♠ K7
♥ AKQ ♥ 53
♦ K86 W E ♦ J 10 9 7 5 2
♣ 10 9 4 2 S ♣ AKQ
♠ Q 10 4
♥ J962
♦ AQ3
♣ 876
The return of the ♠10 may be ducked by partner, even when West
covers with the Jack. When the ♠10 is played, a clever declarer
will cover with the jack even from ♠J98.
The solution in the first example is the “alarm-clock” play.

Cash the ♥A and switch to the ♠10.
This sequence of plays will dispel partner’s illusions about your
alleged diamond stopper and make it much easier for him to win
the ♠A in this case.
It is inconceivable that he could switch to another suit after
winning the Ace. By playing this way you will unblock the suit
and set the contract two tricks.
24

Any unnatural play should prompt partner to a more detailed
analysis, by means of which he will discover the reason for your
wanting to wake him up.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♦ Pass
1♥ Pass 1NT Pass
4♥ Pass…
♠ J9865
♥ 6542
♦ 7
♣ Q 10 8
N ♠ K Q 10
♥ J
W E ♦ A K J 10 2
S ♣ J532
Lead: ♦7. Declarer took the Ace and South followed with the ♦9,
drawing our attention to the spade suit. Next came the heart.
Partner rose with the Ace and returned the ♦8; you ruffed West’s
Queen.
Plan the play.
25
Here is the full deal:
♠ J9865
♥ 6542
♦ 7
♣ Q 10 8
♠ 74 N ♠ K Q 10
♥ K Q 10 9 7 3 ♥ J
♦ Q6 W E ♦ A K J 10 2
♣ AK6 S ♣ J532
♠ A32
♥ A8
♦ 98543
♣ 974
Lead: ♦7. Declarer took the Ace and South followed with the ♦9,
drawing our attention to the spade suit. Next came the heart.
Partner rose with the Ace and returned the ♦8; you ruffed West’s
Queen.
Lay the ♠J on the table. What message does it convey?
It suggests a five-card suit. Fourth best from the five-bagger is
not clear enough. You are hinting at an unusual line of defense,
thereby excluding the possibility of a trump promotion.
This will make partner at least consider ducking the spade. If he
does, we will eventually get the club trick.
26

An „alert” signal may direct partner’s attention to a suit which
defenders are normally reluctant to attack due to its structure.
W N E S
1♦ Pass
1♥ 1♠ 2♥ 3♠
4♥ Pass…
N ♠ A64
♥ K965
W E ♦ Q 10 8 6
S ♣ K4
♠ K 10 7 5
♥ 87
♦ K5
♣ J 10 8 5 3
Lead: ♠Q.
Plan the defense.
27
a) Here comes the full deal:
♠ QJ932
♥ A3
♦ A97
♣ 976
♠ 8 N ♠ A64
♥ Q J 10 4 2 ♥ K965
♦ J432 W E ♦ Q 10 8 6
♣ AQ2 S ♣ K4
♠ K 10 7 5
♥ 87
♦ K5
♣ J 10 8 5 3
Only a “wake-up signal” may persuade North to switch to

diamonds after getting in with the ♥A. You should drop the ♠K
under dummy’s Ace.
28
b) Let’s imagine a slightly different layout:
♠ QJ932
♥ A3
♦ A97
♣ 976
♠ 8 N ♠ A64
♥ Q J 10 4 2 ♥ K965
♦ K432 W E ♦ Q 10 8 6
♣ AJ2 S ♣ K4
♠ K 10 7 5
♥ 87
♦ J5
♣ Q 10 8 5 3
Here we don’t expect anything out of the ordinary from partner.

The count signal (♠5) does not encourage any sort of active
defense.
29

Do something unusual – play the …..?
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♣ 1♠ Dbl 3♠
4♥ Pass…
N ♠ Q42
♥ K9842
W E ♦ J
S ♣ J 10 8 2
♠ J 10 6 3
♥ 753
♦ Q8642
♣ K
Lead: ♠A
Plan the defense.
30
♠ AK875
♥ A
♦ 10 7 5 3
♣ Q73
♠ 9 N ♠ Q42
♥ Q J 10 6 ♥ K9842
♦ AK9 W E ♦ J
♣ A9654 S ♣ J 10 8 2
♠ J 10 6 3
♥ 753
♦ Q8642
♣ K
South should follow with the Jack (meaning: “Partner, do

something counter-intuitive!”).
Notice that the preemptive jump to 3♠ (no one vulnerable)
normally guarantees four trumps (unless your style is different).
“Do something counterintuitive” means, in this case, the club
switch. This is the last suit North would imagine to attack at
trick two.
In our example, however, switching to clubs is the only way to
finding the ruff – the setting trick.
One of my student ask: why not ♠3 – suit-preference?

Good question. Because ♠3 looks like routine count discard.
31
INFORMATION 1
Achieving a high level of defensive play is impossible without the
ability to cooperate effectively with partner, the basic component
of the dialogue being the precise exchange of information.
Moreover, it is important to reveal only the information that may
be useful to partner.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♠ Pass Pass
2♥ 2♠ 4♥ Pass…
♠ KQJ963
♥ A
♦ 832
♣ Q65
N ♠ 754
♥ KJ4
W E ♦ Q9654
S ♣ AK
Lead: ♠K. West won the Ace and played a trump to your Ace (♥8
from South).
What now?
Did you play the ♠Q?
32
Information 1
a)
♠ KQJ963
♥ A
♦ 832
♣ Q65
♠ A 10 8 N ♠ 754
♥ Q 10 9 6 5 ♥ KJ4
♦ A J 10 W E ♦ Q9654
♣ 93 S ♣ AK
♠ 2
♥ 8732
♦ K7
♣ J 10 8 7 4 2
On this layout partner should pitch two diamonds on your good

spades, and ruff a diamond.
b)
♠ K Q 10 9 6 3
♥ A
♦ J32
♣ Q65
♠ AJ8 N ♠ 754
♥ Q 10 9 6 5 ♥ KJ4
♦ A 10 8 W E ♦ Q9654
♣ 93 S ♣ AK
♠ 2
♥ 8732
♦ K7
♣ J 10 8 7 4 2
Here getting rid of a diamond on the ♠Q would prove fatal for the
defense.
33
Obviously, North made a simple mistake.

In the a) scenario he should have played the Jack, not the Queen
of spades at trick three. Throwing two diamonds would then be
straightforward for South. The play of the Queen, it follows,
denies possession of the Jack and, as a consequence, South should
not part with a diamond.
c)
♠ K Q J 10 9 6 3
♥ A
♦ J32
♣ Q6
♠ A8 N ♠ 754
♥ Q 10 9 6 5 ♥ KJ4
♦ A 10 8 W E ♦ Q9654
♣ 953 S ♣ AK
♠ 2
♥ 8732
♦ K7
♣ J 10 8 7 4 2
Here North should continue spades at the third trick with the
Queen, not the Jack, to prevent partner from discarding a
diamond.
I am in favor of supplying partner with maximum data in

defense, even if you are not always sure what it can be used for,
especially if the information is unrevealing to declarer. In the b)
scenario, information about the position of the ♠J was important
solely for partner.
34
Information 2
INFORMATION 2
Sharing information should always serve a purpose. Sometimes
the only way to success is, on the contrary, hiding information –
the art of camouflage.
Pairs tournament. None vulnerable.
W N E S
2♠ Pass 2NT 3♥
Pass Pass 4♠ Pass…
2♠ = 5♠ +5 minor, 7–11 HCP
N ♠ AQ
♥ Q 10 8
W E ♦ AQ
S ♣ K Q J 10 9 2
♠ 83
♥ AKJ953
♦ 876
♣ 63
Lead: ♥7. Your ♥9 held the trick and…
35
♠ 10 7 5 4
♥ 72
♦ 543
♣ A874
♠ KJ962 N ♠ AQ
♥ 64 ♥ Q 10 8
♦ K J 10 9 2 W E ♦ AQ
♣ 3 S ♣ K Q J 10 9 2
♠ 83
♥ AKJ953
♦ 876
♣ 65
a) Lead: ♥7. You took the nine and continued with two more
rounds of hearts. At the third trick declarer discarded the
club. Goodbye, trump promotion!
b) Lead: ♥7. You took the nine and switched to clubs.
Partner won the Ace and tried to give you a ruff. Why?
36
Information 2
The layout he imagined was somewhat different:
♠ 10 7 5 4
♥ 72
♦ 543
♣ A874
♠ KJ962 N ♠ AQ
♥ 6 ♥ Q 10 8
♦ K J 10 9 2 W E ♦ AQ
♣ 63 S ♣ K Q J 10 9 2
♠ 83
♥ AKJ9543
♦ 876
♣ 5
In this case his defense would have been correct to hold declarer
to ten tricks.
So how do we handle this problem?

a) Evidently, playing three rounds of hearts will lead to the
trump promotion only if we cash the club trick first.
It took you 40 or 50 seconds to come up with this analysis.
Accordingly, you switched to clubs at trick two. Partner
understood your dilemma perfectly well and he returned a heart
(instead of a club for you to ruff) at the third trick.
The director, called by the opponents, changed the result to +420

for EW.
I absolutely concur in the director’s ruling. The North defender
received illegal information about the position of the club
singleton.
37
There is, however, a purely technical solution to this problem.
a) If the first trick is taken with the king, partner will

believe that the jack of hearts is in the declarer’s hand.
Having already revealed ten cards in spades and
diamonds, West will have a place left for just one club.
After such preparation, the club shift cannot mislead
partner. He will return to hearts after winning the ♣A
and, this time, the promotion will work.
b) If you want a club ruff you might win ♥A!
38
Information 3
INFORMATION 3
Sometimes the true meaning of information is well hidden.
Discovering it meaning may require meticulous analysis.
Pairs tournament. EW vulnerable.
W N E S
1♥ 1♠
Dbl Pass 2♥ Pass
2NT Pass 3NT Pass...
♠ J2
♥ A54
♦ J8542
♣ K87
N ♠ 43
♥ K Q J 10 9 3
W E ♦ 93
S ♣ AJ3
Lead: ♠J. Partner follows with the ♠10 and declarer holds up.
Plan the defense.
39
♠ J2
♥ A54
♦ J8542
♣ K87
♠ A875 N ♠ 43
♥ 76 ♥ K Q J 10 9 3
♦ AK7 W E ♦ 93
♣ 10 6 5 4 S ♣ AJ3
♠ K Q 10 9 6
♥ 82
♦ Q 10 6
♣ Q92
Lead: ♠J. Partner follows with the ♠10 and declarer holds up.
♠10 from partner (together with the hold-up by West) means: „My
spades are great, but I have no quick side-suit entry to them”.
Based on this information we can put together a sensible defense.

Our objective is to cut declarer off from the heart winners.
Leading the King of clubs at trick two will serve the purpose.
But how do we know who has the club Queen, you may ask.
40
Information 3
Let’s imagine a slightly different layout:
♠ J2
♥ A54
♦ J8542
♣ K87
♠ A875 N ♠ 43
♥ 76 ♥ K Q J 10 9 3
♦ A 10 9 W E ♦ 73
♣ Q 10 6 5 S ♣ AJ3
♠ K Q 10 9 6
♥ 82
♦ KQ6
♣ 942
Here South should overtake the Jack and, if it is ducked, switch

to diamonds.
It follows from this analysis that the ♠10 at the first trick not
only denies quick entry, but also says: „Partner, I’m not sure
about the best defense”, suggesting precisely one top club honor.”.
41
INFORMATION 4
Failure to play a card that conveys precise information about
one’s values denies the possession of that card.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
2♠ Pass 4♠ Pass…
2♠ = weak two
N ♠ Q8
♥ A 10 9
W E ♦ KJ4
S ♣ AK875
♠ 32
♥ KQ82
♦ Q3
♣ J 10 9 6 4
Lead: ♣Q.
West discards a heart on the second club, cashes the ♥A and ruffs
a heart.
He continues with a diamond to the king and another diamond.
Your Queen holds the trick. Partner follows with the ♦2 and ♦9.
Plan the defense.
42
Information 4
a)
♠ J54
♥ J643
♦ A982
♣ Q3
♠ A K 10 9 7 6 N ♠ Q8
♥ 75 ♥ A 10 9
♦ 10 7 6 5 W E ♦ KJ4
♣ 2 S ♣ AK875
♠ 32
♥ KQ82
♦ Q3
♣ J 10 9 6 4
Lead: ♣Q.
a heart.
Declarer’s distribution is now clear: 6=2=4=1.

The crucial piece of information is the position of the ♦10.
By playing the nine on the second round of diamonds, partner
denied the possession of the ten. From ♦A1092 he should have
followed with the ♦2 and the ♦10.
Therefore, a trump promotion remains the only chance.
Obviously, declarer erred. He should have drawn trumps and

only then attacked diamonds. Further evidence of his poor
technique is his prematurely getting rid of the heart loser at trick
two, while still running the risk of a club ruff.
43
b)
♠ 754
♥ J643
♦ A 10 8 2
♣ Q3
♠ A K J 10 9 6 N ♠ Q8
♥ 75 ♥ A 10 9
♦ 9765 W E ♦ KJ4
♣ 2 S ♣ AK875
♠ 32
♥ KQ82
♦ Q3
♣ J 10 9 6 4
Lead: ♣Q.
a heart.
Failure to play the nine denies the possession of this card, i.e.
confirms the possession of the ten.
Now the correct defense is to lead trump twice.
44
Against Routine
AGAINST ROUTINE
Unusual deals come up rarely. Success normally results from
solid bridge craftsmanship.
Pairs tournament
The bidding wasn’t particularly exciting.
W N E S
Pass Pass 1 ♥ Pass
1♠ Pass...
N ♠ Q 10 5
♥ AQ75
W E ♦ 10 5 4
S ♣ K J 10
♠ K862
♥ KJ964
♦ 73
♣ A8
Lead: ♦Q. West wins the Ace and plays a spade to the Queen and
your King.
Plan the defense.
45
♠ A4
♥ 83
♦ QJ986
♣ 7652
♠ J973 N ♠ Q 10 5
♥ 10 2 ♥ AQ75
♦ AK2 W E ♦ 10 5 4
♣ Q943 S ♣ K J 10
♠ K862
♥ KJ964
♦ 73
♣ A8
Lead: ♦Q West wins the Ace and plays a spade to the Queen and
your King.
An experienced player would typically say: “I return a diamond.

Nothing else comes to my mind”.
We are, however, entitled to the club ruff.
The guide dog would act differently: ”In with the ♠K, I cash the
♣A and switch back to diamonds. Partner will get in with the
trump Ace (West, a passed hand, has already shown ♦A and ♦K)
and cash the diamond winner. I will pitch my last club and take
the club ruff at the next trick. Finally, I will exit with a trump
and await my heart trick”.
46
Signals Interpretation
SIGNALS INTERPRETATION
Fuzzy logic is a generalization of the classic two-valued logic. In
fuzzy logic, between the values of 0 (false) and 1 (true) there are a
number of intermediate values.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
2♥ Pass 4♣
4♠ Pass…
2♥ = 5♥ – 4+ minor, 8–11 HCP
4♣ = support for both minors
♠ J
♥ KQJ96
♦ K972
♣ 976
N ♠ 10 9 5 2
♥ 10 4 2
W E ♦ 10 8
S ♣ AQ53
Lead: ♥K. West grabbed the Ace (an unreadable ♥7 from South),
cashed the Ace of spades and continued with another spade.
What do you discard?
47
♠ J
♥ KQJ96
♦ K972
♣ 976
♠ AKQ763 N ♠ 10 9 5 2
♥ A853 ♥ 10 4 2
♦ Q W E ♦ 10 8
♣ J4 S ♣ AQ53
♠ 84
♥ 7
♦ AJ6543
♣ K 10 8 2
Lead: ♥K. West grabbed the Ace (an unreadable ♥7 from South),
cashed the Ace of spades and continued with another spade.
North discarded ♦2. When a diamond was played from dummy at
the next trick, South rose with the Ace, fearing singleton King in
declarer’s hand.
The defense was helpless. Soon declarer got the clubs right (small
to the jack) and the four certain defensive tricks shrank to just
three.
48
Signals Interpretation
However, the whole deal might have looked like this:
♠ J
♥ KQJ96
♦ Q972
♣ J97
♠ AKQ763 N ♠ 10 9 5 2
♥ A853 ♥ 10 4 2
♦ K W E ♦ 10 8
♣ 64 S ♣ AQ53
♠ 84
♥ 7
♦ AJ6543
♣ K 10 8 2
Here ducking the diamond would prove disastrous, argued South.
So who erred?
The answer is far from obvious and the problem admits varying
interpretations. It’s not easy to find a sensible solution.
I like the guide dog’s view.
With:
♠J
♥KQJ96
♦Q972
♣976
or
♠J
♥KQJ96
♦Q9732
♣97
I would give partner a count signal in diamonds. Why?
49
♠ J
♥ KQJ96
♦ Q972
♣ 976
♠ AKQ763 N ♠ 10 9 5 2
♥ A853 ♥ 10 4 2
♦ KJ W E ♦ 10 8
♣ J S ♣ AQ53
♠ 84
♥ 7
♦ A6543
♣ K 10 8 4 2
Partner needs to know whether he ought to jump up with the

Ace, or not.
Admittedly, it requires a lot of skill to know what signal partner
may need in a specific situation.
Discarding a diamond, it follows, strongly suggests the possession
of the Queen and carries count information.
Holding the ♦K, therefore, we should throw a heart, telling
partner: I failed to discard a diamond, so I don’t have the Queen
in the suit.
This is, no doubt, a very difficult and possibly controversial

interpretation, requiring a great deal of thoughtful discipline
from both partners and the proper understanding of the defensive
position.
This defensive position is a situation which requires supplying
partner with a specific piece of information at the moment that
he needs it.
50
Shared Knowledge of the Bridge Partnership
SHARED KNOWLEDGE OF THE BRIDGE

PARTNERSHIP
Even entirely conscious, rational actions by a defender may not
be sufficient if the partnership lacks shared knowledge and
detailed, thoroughly discussed agreements.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
2♣ Dbl Pass
4♥ Pass…
2♣ = 11–15 HCP, 5+♣ –4M or 6♣
N ♠ AKJ9
♥ 73
W E ♦ KQJ4
S ♣ J84
♠ 10 8 4 3
♥ J64
♦ 8732
♣ 53
Lead: ♣Q. The opening lead was unusual, but very thoughtful.
Here it conveys only the simple message that all the top club
honors are in the North’s possession. Simple it may be, but it will
prove vital for the defense.
Next partner cashes the Ace of clubs and exits with the ♣10.
What is he aiming at?
51
a)
♠ 72
♥ A82
♦ 10 9
♣ A K Q 10 7 2
♠ Q65 N ♠ AKJ9
♥ K Q 10 9 5 ♥ 73
♦ A65 W E ♦ KQJ4
♣ 96 S ♣ J84
♠ 10 8 4 3
♥ J64
♦ 8732
♣ 53
Lead: ♣Q. At trick two, North cashes the Ace of clubs and exits
with the ♣10.
Playing the highest club spot says: don’t ruff with your highest
trump. I have the trump Ace, so we will complete the trump
promotion when I get in.
Here we are dealing with an unusual finesse of dummy’s ♥7.

Suppose we ruff partner’s ♣10 with the trump jack. Declarer
overruffs and plays the ♥K. The next club is ruffed with dummy’s
♥7 and the promotion fails.
So, according to partner’s wishes, we ruff with the ♥6. West
overruffs as before, but when North gets in and returns another
club we put up the ♥J, promoting partner’s ♥8 into the setting
trick.
What if partner wanted to give suit preference with the ruff?

I need to say that IF DECLARER CANT OVER-RUFF THEN IT
IS SUIT PREFERENCE.
52
Shared Knowledge of the Bridge Partnership
Suppose the layout were a little bit different:
b)
♠ 72
♥ K92
♦ 10 9
♣ A K Q 10 7 2
♠ Q65 N ♠ AKJ9
♥ A Q 10 8 5 ♥ 73
♦ A65 W E ♦ KQJ4
♣ 96 S ♣ J84
♠ 10 8 4 3
♥ J64
♦ 8732
♣ 53
Lead: ♣Q. At trick two, North cashes the Ace of clubs and exits
with the ♣2.
Playing the lowest spot card says: ruff with your highest trump.
You do as you’re told and the promotion ensues.
In this case ruffing with the ♥6 would not do. Declarer would
overruff with the ♥8, cash the trump Ace, enter dummy in spades
and play a heart. No promotion this time.
Note that leading the ♣Q at the first trick helped explain the
situation to partner.
Routinely cashing the Ace and King would conceal the position of
the Queen. Playing low or high club spot at trick 3 would then be
a suit preference signal rather than a subtle message.
THE RULE:
THE LOWEST THE CARD WE EXIT, THE HIGHEST THE
TRUMP WE WANT PARTNER TO RUFF WITH.
It is difficult, I admit – it requires knowledge and concentration.
53
The b) version of the problem would be solved by thousands of

bridge pairs. Version a) would be handled properly (and fully
consciously) only by a dozen or so of the best partnerships in the
world.
54
The Concept of a Conditional Third-Hand Ruff
THE CONCEPT OF A CONDITIONAL

THIRD-HAND RUFF
The rules formulated in the previous problem may apply in
various situation in a somewhat different context.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♠ 2♥ 3♥ Pass
4♠ Pass…
3♥ = invitation with support in ♠.
♠ J5
♥ AKJ97
♦ AQ98
♣ 86
N ♠ 7632
♥ 6432
W E ♦ K
S ♣ AJ97
Lead: ♥A. You cashed the King, too, and everyone followed (the
Queen falling from West).
Plan the defense.
55
a)
♠ J5
♥ AKJ97
♦ AQ98
♣ 86
♠ A K 10 9 8 N ♠ 7632
♥ Q5 ♥ 6432
♦ J762 W E ♦ K
♣ KQ S ♣ AJ97
♠ Q4
♥ 10 8
♦ 10 5 4 3
♣ 10 5 4 3 2
Queen falling from West).
You will say: the problem is easy and trivial. We cash the ♦A and
play a heart for partner to ruff with the trump Queen.
Unfortunately, the analysis all too often stops at this point.
56
b)
♠ J5
♥ AKJ97
♦ AQ98
♣ 86
♠ AKQ98 N ♠ 7632
♥ Q5 ♥ 6432
♦ J762 W E ♦ K
♣ K3 S ♣ AJ97
♠ 10 4
♥ 10 8
♦ 10 5 4 3
♣ Q 10 5 4 2
Here the superficial analysis has let the contract go.

You cashed the ♦A at trick 3 and led a heart. Partner ruffed with
the ten, but declarer overruffed and could now ruff three diamond
losers in dummy.
So how should the defense proceed?

At trick 3 North should play the nine (!) of hearts, and South
should then pitch a diamond.
What do the various hearts played at trick 3 by North mean?

♥J – I’m not interested in a promotion. Get rid of your diamonds,
partner.
♥9 – I’m interested in a promotion, but only conditionally. Ruff, if
you hold an honor.
♥7 – I have the Q J, so ruff even with the ten.
In all three variations South may discard a diamond if he does
not have the trump cards required by partner.
57
c)
♠ QJ
♥ AKJ97
♦ Q982
♣ 86
♠ AK985 N ♠ 7632
♥ Q5 ♥ 6432
♦ AJ76 W E ♦ K
♣ K3 S ♣ AJ97
♠ 10 4
♥ 10 8
♦ 10 5 4 3
♣ Q 10 5 4 2
Queen from West).
You continue with the ♥7 and partner ruffs with his ♠10. The
trump promotion is thus established.
58
d)
♠ 10 5
♥ AKJ97
♦ AQ98
♣ 86
♠ AK984 N ♠ 7632
♥ Q5 ♥ 6432
♦ J762 W E ♦ K
♣ KQ S ♣ AJ97
♠ QJ
♥ 10 8
♦ 10 5 4 3
♣ 10 5 4 3 2
Queen from West).
You continue with the ♥J – “I’m not interested in the promotion,
throw a diamond”.
Nevertheless, partner ruffs with the ♠J. Why?
Declarer does not need three diamond ruffs. The bidding
indicates clearly that he is almost sure to hold either the ♦A or
♣K-Q. The only chance is to find North with the ♠10.
THE RULE:
THE LOWEST THE CARD WE EXIT, THE MORE WE WANT
PARTNER TO RUFF.
59
COOPERATION 1
The effective exchange of information between defenders is a
prerequisite for sophisticated defense.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♥
4♠ Dbl Pass…
♠ K 10 8
♥ A75
♦ K865
♣ 653
N ♠ 2
♥ KQ
W E ♦ 97432
S ♣ J 10 9 7 2
Lead: ♦5. Declarer won your partner’s Jack with the Ace and
played a heart. You ducked while partner followed with the ♥10.
Declarer continued with a spade to the Queen. You took the King
and …
60
Cooperation 1
This is the full deal:
♠ K 10 8
♥ A75
♦ K865
♣ 653
♠ AQJ9765 N ♠ 2
♥ J43 ♥ KQ
♦ A 10 W E ♦ 97432
♣ 8 S ♣ J 10 9 7 2
♠ 43
♥ 10 9 8 6 2
♦ QJ
♣ AKQ4
What did partner’s ♥10 mean at the first heart trick?

Two things at the same time:
– Count signal showing odd number of hearts.
– Lack of the ♥J.
These two pieces of information allow us to reconstruct declarer’s

hand as:
♠ AQJxxxx
♥ Jxx
♦ A10
♣x
The only chance for an additional trick is the trump promotion.
Through which suit? Hearts.
The big task is to keep the West hand off lead, lest declarer draws
trumps.
61
Let’s review the play so far.

Lead: ♦5. Declarer won your partner’s Jack with the Ace and
played a heart. You ducked, while partner followed with the ♥10.
Declarer continued with a spade to the Queen. You took the King
and …
You have to underlead the heart Ace. Much to West’s surprise,
his second heart honor will hold in dummy, but eventually he
won’t be happy about it at all.
Perforce, declarer continues with a minor suit. Partner wins and
plays another heart to unblock the Ace. All we need to do now is
to reach partner with the other minor suit to get him to play the
fourth round of hearts for the hard-earned promotion
62
Cooperation 2
COOPERATION 2
The defenders may cooperate to mislead declarer.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♠ Pass 2NT Pass
4♠ Pass…
2NT = invitation with support
N ♠ 9872
♥ K2
W E ♦ K 10 7 2
S ♣ K43
♠ 3
♥ Q 10 5 3
♦ 943
♣ Q J 10 7 6
Lead: ♥7. West wins your Queen with the Ace and follows with a
club to the King (N – ♣9, S – ♣Q) and the ♠9 from dummy. North
takes the Ace and cashes the ♦A.
Plan the defense.
63
The full hand:
♠ AQ6
♥ 9764
♦ AQ8
♣ 982
♠ K J 10 5 4 N ♠ 9872
♥ AJ8 ♥ K2
♦ J65 W E ♦ K 10 7 2
♣ A5 S ♣ K43
♠ 3
♥ Q 10 5 3
♦ 943
♣ Q J 10 7 6
Lead: ♥7. West takes your Queen with the Ace and follows with a
club to the King (N – ♣9, S – ♣Q) and the ♠9 from dummy. North
takes the Ace and cashes the ♦A.
The key play is to follow to this trick with the ♦3 – encouraging

partner to continue the suit.
Considering the tricks so far, you have to assume that your
partner has made an unusual and deceptive play in trumps. He
must have some cunning plan, connected with the diamond suit.
We should assist him in guiding declarer onto the false track.
64
Iron Logic
IRON LOGIC
Iron logic, unlike the fuzzy variety, is considered the basic kind of
logic. It expresses admiration for correct reasoning and faith in
the power of reason.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♠ Pass 2♣ Pass
2♠ Pass 2NT Pass
3♥ Pass 4♠ Pass…
2♣ = waiting
2NT = game forcing
3♥ = transfer: 6+♠
N ♠ A2
♥ AKQ7
W E ♦ 10 8 3 2
S ♣ 832
♠ 4
♥ 10 9 8 6
♦ QJ4
♣ AK754
Lead: ♣J. You win the King (♣6 from West) and cash the Ace,
dropping the Queen from declarer and the ♣9 from partner.
What now?
Do you know the layout of the club suit?
65
a)
♠ 10 7 6 5
♥ J32
♦ K965
♣ J9
♠ KQJ983 N ♠ A2
♥ 54 ♥ AKQ7
♦ A7 W E ♦ 10 8 3 2
♣ Q 10 6 S ♣ 832
♠ 4
♥ 10 9 8 6
♦ QJ4
♣ AK754
Here it is necessary to give partner the club ruff.
b)
♠ 10 7 6 5
♥ 543
♦ A96
♣ J 10 9
♠ KQJ983 N ♠ A2
♥ J2 ♥ AKQ7
♦ K75 W E ♦ 10 8 3 2
♣ Q6 S ♣ 832
♠ 4
♥ 10 9 8 6
♦ QJ4
♣ AK754
In this case, however, you’d better switch to the ♦Q.
66
Iron Logic
Do we have to guess?
No – from holding b), North should play the ♣10 under our Ace!
Why? Because it allows us to see through declarer’s actions.
There is no way West could follow with the Queen at trick two
from ♣Q 9 6. So the play of the ♣10 explains the situation.
As a consequence, the ♣9 from North should persuade South to
give partner the club ruff – scenario a).
True, in a slightly different layout:
♠ 10 7 6 5
♥ 543
♦ A965
♣ J9
♠ KQJ983 N ♠ A2
♥ J2 ♥ AKQ7
♦ K7 W E ♦ 10 8 3 2
♣ Q 10 6 S ♣ 832
♠ 4
♥ 10 9 8 6
♦ QJ4
♣ AK754
switching to the ♦Q at the third trick leads to two down, but this
is a different story altogether.
67
GUIDE DOG 1
The guide dog protects his partner from danger.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♦
Dbl Pass 1 ♠ Pass
2NT Pass…
N ♠ J964
♥ 92
W E ♦ 92
S ♣ 10 9 8 4 3
♠ K 10 7
♥ Q874
♦ AQJ543
♣ —
Lead: ♦10. North holds the trick and continues diamonds.
How do you defend?
68
Guide Dog 1
The full deal:
♠ Q52
♥ J 10 6 3
♦ 10 6
♣ K752
♠ A83 N ♠ J964
♥ AK5 ♥ 92
♦ K87 W E ♦ 92
♣ AQJ6 S ♣ 10 9 8 4 3
♠ K 10 7
♥ Q874
♦ AQJ543
♣ —
Lead: ♦10 and another diamond. South took the Ace and returned
the ♦Q.
At the third diamond trick North discarded a club a pardonable

but expensive error.
As a consequence, declarer got four, instead of just three, club
tricks.
How could we have assisted partner?

By playing the ♦Q at trick two. Why?
1) As a suit preference – we are showing better spades than
hearts. The position of the diamond Jack is obvious at this
point.
2) The risk of getting endplayed with the third round of
diamonds is negligible.
3) Finally – and this is the conclusive consideration –
partner may conceivably have a hard time finding the
right discard to the third diamond.
69
GUIDE DOG 2
The subtle suggestion, asking for a specific play, is such a
difficult art to master.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♣ Pass
1♠ Pass 1NT Pass
2♣ Pass 2♥ Dbl
Pass Pass 3♠ Pass
4♠ Pass...
2♣ = check back
2♥ = 13–14 HCP with 3 spades
N ♠ A 10 9
♥ A96
W E ♦ K62
S ♣ Q 10 4 2
♠ 742
♥ K J 10 2
♦ A 10 3
♣ 863
Lead: ♥3. As declarer grabbed the Ace, you signaled with the ♥2
(even number of hearts). West led a club to the Jack and North’s
King. In the third trick partner switched to the ♥Q. What do we
do?
Notice partner’s excellent play of the Queen, opening up the
possibility of cooperation.
70
Guide Dog 2
We can take one of the three actions:

a) follow with the ten;
b) follow with the Jack or
c) overtake with the King.
a)
♠ 83
♥ Q753
♦ QJ8
♣ K975
♠ KQJ65 N ♠ A 10 9
♥ 84 ♥ A96
♦ 9754 W E ♦ K62
♣ AJ S ♣ Q 10 4 2
♠ 742
♥ K J 10 2
♦ A 10 3
♣ 863
Here we should play the ten, meaning: “You can lead diamonds,
partner, if you wish, but I’m not overly enthusiastic about it”. In
this case it will be obvious for North to switch to diamonds.
However, with unsupported ♦Q (without the Jack), North should
refrain from leading the suit.
71
b)
♠ 83
♥ Q753
♦ Q93
♣ K975
♠ KQJ65 N ♠ A 10 9
♥ 84 ♥ A96
♦ 10 7 5 4 W E ♦ K62
♣ AJ S ♣ Q 10 4 2
♠ 742
♥ K J 10 2
♦ AJ8
♣ 863
Lead: ♥3. As declarer grabbed the Ace, you signaled with the ♥2
(even number of hearts). West led a club to the Jack and North’s
King. In the third trick partner switched to the ♥Q. What do we
do?
Follow with the Jack: “Partner, please lead diamonds through,
preferably the Queen” (declarer may duck, hoping for ♥QJx in the
North hand).
72
Guide Dog 2
c)
♠ 83
♥ Q753
♦ QJ8
♣ K975
♠ KQJ65 N ♠ A 10 9
♥ 84 ♥ A96
♦ A 10 9 5 W E ♦ K62
♣ J3 S ♣ Q 10 4 2
♠ 742
♥ K J 10 2
♦ 743
♣ A86
Here we should overtake and continue hearts. We are not

interested in the diamond switch at all.
73
GUIDE DOG 3
Good bridge is about making life easier for partner.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♣ Pass
1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass
4♥ Pass…
N ♠ AQ53
♥ QJ54
W E ♦ 3
S ♣ K J 10 7
♠ K
♥ A7
♦ 10 9 8 7 6 4 2
♣ 962
Lead: ♠2. You win the King.
Plan the defense.
74
Guide Dog 3
The full hand:
♠ 10 8 4 2
♥ 83
♦ Q5
♣ A8543
♠ J976 N ♠ AQ53
♥ K 10 9 6 2 ♥ QJ54
♦ AKJ W E ♦ 3
♣ Q S ♣ K J 10 7
♠ K
♥ A7
♦ 10 9 8 7 6 4 2
♣ 962
Lead: ♠2. You win the King. At trick two you switch to clubs.
Partner wins the Ace and continues with another club.
You should have delayed the club switch until after winning the
♥A. It was best to start with the ♦10 as suit preference. When
you play a club after the trump Ace, partner will win and duly
return the spade for you to ruff.
And how would we get partner to give us the club ruff if we had
singleton in that suit?
By cashing the ♥A and leading clubs.
75
GUIDE DOG 4
The 12th commandment;
When appropriate, thou shalt disillusion thy partner.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♥ Pass 2NT 3♥
3NT Pass 4♥ Pass…
2NT = invitational with support
3♥ = 5♠ – 5+minor
♠ 10 8
♥ 843
♦ Q 10 8 7 4 2
♣ J4
N ♠ J53
♥ AQJ5
W E ♦ J6
S ♣ Q 10 9 7
Lead: ♠10. Partner cashes the King and Ace and continues with
the ♠4. West follows with the ♠7, ♠9 and ♠Q.
Plan the defense.
76
Guide Dog 4
The full hand:
♠ 10 8
♥ 843
♦ Q 10 8 7 4 2
♣ J4
♠ Q97 N ♠ J53
♥ K 10 9 6 2 ♥ AQJ5
♦ AK5 W E ♦ J6
♣ A2 S ♣ Q 10 9 7
♠ AK642
♥ 7
♦ 93
♣ K8653
Lead: ♠10. Partner cashes the King and Ace and continues with
the ♠4. West follows with the ♠7, ♠9 and ♠Q.
The conclusion: partner holds the King of clubs and nothing in
diamonds.
How do we know?
a) From the order the spade tops were played (the King first,
then the Ace).
b) By his playing ♠4 from ♠642 for us to ruff.
This is an unemphatic way to show a club value.
All the tested defenders chose a passive trump exit at the fourth
trick – a typical error of ignoring partner’s problems.
As indicated by the bidding, West has a balanced hand (5332).
Passively waiting for the club trick may pose a difficult problem
for partner…
An astute declarer will win the trump exit in dummy and lead
the ♣Q.
77
It is far from obvious to cover with the King.

Let’s alter the layout a little bit:
♠ 10 8
♥ 843
♦ K 10 8 7 4 2
♣ 42
♠ Q97 N ♠ J53
♥ K 10 9 6 2 ♥ AQJ5
♦ AQ5 W E ♦ J6
♣ AJ S ♣ Q 10 9 7
♠ AK642
♥ 7
♦ 93
♣ K8653
Here covering the Queen would provide declarer with two

discards and let through the contract.
True, North’s failure to switch to clubs increases the chances of
his holding the Jack – it suggests he might have been afraid of
something. Still, the trump exit is unthinking.
In the original layout, only playing a low diamond at trick 4
(underleading the Queen) will make the situation absolutely clear
for partner. It will dispel partner’s illusions about the chances of
a defensive diamond trick.
78
Guide Dog 5
GUIDE DOG 5
Avoid sophisticated signals if a simple and absolutely clear
alternative exists.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
3♦ Pass
4♥ Pass…
3♦ = Transfer preempt
N ♠ 953
♥ AQJ9765
W E ♦ Q
S ♣ J 10
♠ KJ6
♥ 8
♦ 63
♣ KQ98653
Lead: ♠2. West took your King with the Ace and played a
diamond. Partner won the ♦A and cashed the ♣A.
Plan the defense.
79
The full hand:
♠ Q 10 8 2
♥ 3
♦ A8742
♣ A74
♠ A74 N ♠ 953
♥ K 10 4 2 ♥ AQJ9765
♦ K J 10 9 5 W E ♦ Q
♣ 2 S ♣ J 10
♠ KJ6
♥ 8
♦ 63
♣ KQ98653
Lead: ♠2. West took your King with the Ace and played a
diamond. Partner won the ♦A and cashed the ♣A.
Since the opening lead suggests four spades to the Queen, we
have two spade tricks to cash.
The card that will certainly make partner switch back to spades
is the ♣Q.
Playing the Queen denies the possession of the King, so, from
North’s perspective, a club continuation would be pointless.
80
Guide Dog 6
GUIDE DOG 6
Lead your partner by the hand, but in the right direction.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♦ 1♥ 2♣ Pass
♠ KQ52
♥ AQ874
♦ 10 9
♣ 96
N ♠ 93
♥ 653
W E ♦ K6
S ♣ A K Q 10 7 2
Lead: ♠K. Partner encourages with the ♠2.
Plan the defense.
81
The full hand:
a)
♠ KQ54
♥ AQ874
♦ 10 9
♣ 96
♠ J 10 7 6 N ♠ 93
♥ K 10 9 ♥ 653
♦ AQJ4 W E ♦ K6
♣ J3 S ♣ A K Q 10 7 2
♠ A82
♥ J2
♦ 87532
♣ 854
Lead: ♠K. Partner encourages with the ♠2. We continue with the
Queen of spades! Why?
We want partner to play a heart, not a spade, through declarer.
Many beginners assume when we continue with the spade queen

that our partner may overtake and run the suit. On the contrary,
the play of the spade queen denies the jack! With a queen-jack
combination we would play the jack if we wanted our partner to
overtake. Hence the queen implies we do not want partner to
overtake.
82
Guide Dog 6
b)
Low spade continuation would be necessary in a different
position:
♠ K Q 10 4
♥ K 10 8 7 4
♦J9
♣96
♠ J765 N ♠ 93
♥ AQ9 ♥ 653
♦ A Q 10 4 W E ♦ K6
♣ J3 S ♣ A K Q 10 7 2
♠ A82
♥ J2
♦ 87532
♣ 854
When we return the ♠4 after winning the King, partner will know
to play the third round of spades.
83
DOUBTS 1
Not all defensive positions are clear.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♠ Pass 2 ♠ 3♥
4♠ Pass…
N ♠ 432
♥ Q92
W E ♦ K8742
S ♣ 73
♠ 95
♥ A K 10 8 7 5
♦ Q
♣ Q984
Lead: ♥J.
Plan the defense.
84
Doubts 1
a)
♠ Q6
♥ J3
♦ J 10 9 6 5
♣ J 10 6 5
♠ A K J 10 8 7 N ♠ 432
♥ 64 ♥ Q92
♦ A3 W E ♦ K8742
♣ AK2 S ♣ 73
♠ 95
♥ A K 10 8 7 5
♦ Q
♣ Q984
Lead: ♥J. South overtakes the Jack (in case it is singleton),

cashes the other heart top and continues with the third heart to
promote the trump trick for partner. Declarer ends up with ten
tricks only.
85
b)
♠ 76
♥ J6
♦ A 10 9 6 5 3
♣ 10 6 5 2
♠ A K Q J 10 8 N ♠ 432
♥ 43 ♥ Q92
♦ J W E ♦ K8742
♣ AKJ S ♣ 73
♠ 95
♥ A K 10 8 7 5
♦ Q
♣ Q984
Lead: ♥J. South overtakes the Jack, cashes the other top heart
and shifts to his singleton diamond. He then gets the diamond
ruff for down one.
c)
♠ Q6
♥ J6
♦ A J 10 9 6 3
♣ 10 5 2
♠ A K J 10 8 7 N ♠ 432
♥ 43 ♥ Q92
♦ 5 W E ♦ K8742
♣ AKJ6 S ♣ 73
♠ 975
♥ A K 10 8 7 5
♦ Q
♣ Q984
South overtakes and plays the diamond, to combine two

possibilities:
86
Doubts 1
If the diamond ruff is immediately available, he will get it.

If declarer also has a singleton diamond, this trick needs to be
cashed at once, before playing for the promotion.
I have presented three mutually exclusive lines of defense.

South has no clues as to which of them is correct.
d)
♠ 76
♥ J6
♦ 10 9 6 3
♣ A J 10 5 2
♠ A K Q J 10 8 N ♠ 432
♥ 43 ♥ Q92
♦ AJ5 W E ♦ K8742
♣ K6 S ♣ 73
♠ 95
♥ A K 10 8 7 5
♦ Q
♣ Q984
Lead: ♥J. South overtakes the Jack, cashes the other top heart
and shifts to ♣4 – for down one.
87
DOUBTS 2
There are situations where our task is easier – bidding analysis
assists in reconstructing the position. Partner will have to rise to
the challenge, too.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♠ Pass 1NT Pass
3♦ Pass 4 ♦ Pass
4♠ Pass…
♠ K64
♥ AK987
♦ 10 6
♣ J 10 5
N ♠ 2
♥ J 10 5 4 3
W E ♦ QJ92
S ♣ A73
Lead: ♥A. Partner follows with the ♥2, while West drops the
Queen.
Plan the defense.
88
Doubts 2
The full hand:
♠ K64
♥ AK987
♦ 10 6
♣ J 10 5
♠ A Q J 10 8 7 N ♠ 2
♥ Q6 ♥ J 10 5 4 3
♦ AK543 W E ♦ QJ92
♣ — S ♣ A73
♠ 953
♥ 2
♦ 87
♣ KQ98642
Lead: ♥A. Partner follows with the ♥2, while West drops the
Queen.
West’s bidding indicates lack of heart cue-bid. Playing him for:

♠ A Q J 10 8 7
♥Q
♦AK543
♣K
would be inconsistent with the auction.
Cashing the ♥K should clear the way to the setting trick, too.
Why? We will continue with another heart at trick 3, providing
partner with the opportunity to get rid of his two diamonds.
Will that be such an obvious thing for him to do?
The 6=3=4=0 distribution of declarer’s hand is probable.
89
An interesting ethical problem might arise. Say North hesitated

for a while after cashing the ♥A. The next two hearts were played
in standard tempo.
Could it be argued that the break in tempo helped South realize
that with only four hearts his partner would have an obvious
heart continuation at the second trick? Consequently, it
facilitates finding the defense of throwing two diamonds instead
of ruffing?
90
Doubts 3
DOUBTS 3
Fortunately, extremely difficult problems come up only rarely in
every day bridge.
Pairs tournament. EW vulnerable
W N E S
1♠ Pass 2 ♠ 3♥
4♠ 5♥ Dbl Pass
5♠ Pass...
N ♠ 964
♥ J962
W E ♦ K2
S ♣ Q 10 9 7
♠ J72
♥ A K Q 10 8
♦ Q53
♣ 86
Lead: ♣A, ♣K and another club.
Plan the defense.
91
The full hand:
♠ 3
♥ 7543
♦ J86
♣ AKJ42
♠ A K Q 10 8 5 N ♠ 964
♥ — ♥ J962
♦ A 10 9 7 4 W E ♦ K2
♣ 53 S ♣ Q 10 9 7
♠ J72
♥ A K Q 10 8
♦ Q53
♣ 86
Lead: ♣A, ♣K and another club. Hats off to North for finding the
club continuation at trick 3. But how is he to tell partner not to
ruff, but discard a diamond instead?
This difficult problem might on a different day have been already

addressed in the bidding:
W N E S
1♠ Pass 2♠ 3♥
4♠ 5♣ Dbl Pass
Pass 5♥ Dbl Pass
5♠ Pass...
Showing clubs may even induce partner to sacrifice with a slam,
if his hand turns out to be something like:
♠J
♥ A K Q 10 8 3
♦53
♣ Q 10 8 6
92
Doubts 3
However, does introducing clubs at the five level promise five

cards in the suit? No – it only shows side values accompanying
the heart fit.
Maneuvering with the honors does not help either. I don’t use a
system of opening leads whereby leading the Ace or the King
depends on the number of cards in the suit (even though it might
be very useful at times).
The problem is very hard indeed. Playing the third club after a
long thought is, of course, out of the question. Partner must use
his imagination. Which of the two West hands corresponds better
with the auction?
a)
♠ A K Q 10 8 5
♥ —
♦ A 10 9 7 4
♣ 53
b)
♠ A K Q 10 8 5
♥ —
♦ A 10 9 7
♣ 543
Definitely hand a).

East supported spades at the two-level and his subsequent double
of 5♥ discouraged further bidding from partner. Hence West must
have a freak hand.
Successfully handling this problem should be regarded as a great

achievement by any partnership.
93
MAKING LIFE EASIER 1

Making life easier for partner reduces significantly the number of
errors he or she commits.
This approach certainly requires a lot of effort, but, if applied
consistently by both partners, it should lead to a noticeable
improvement in the partnership’s level of play.
Pairs tournament. NS vulnerable.

The bidding wasn’t particularly precise.
W N E S
1NT 2♣ 3NT Pass…
2♣ = majors
N ♠ 9
♥ QJ5
W E ♦ AQJ96
S ♣ 10 8 7 4
♠ J 10 7 5 3
♥ 74
♦ 743
♣ Q65
Lead: ♠4. You put up the ten, won by declarer’s Queen.

When West advanced the ♥6, partner rose with the King (you
followed with the ♥7) and cashed the ♠A. Which card will you
play in this trick?
94
Making Life Easier 1
a)
♠ A8642
♥ K 10 8 3
♦ 5
♣ KJ9
♠ KQ N ♠ 9
♥ A962 ♥ QJ5
♦ K 10 8 2 W E ♦ AQJ96
♣ A32 S ♣ 10 8 7 4
♠ J 10 7 5 3
♥ 74
♦ 743
♣ Q65
It is not enough to give partner a count signal with the ♠5 (or

perhaps the ♠7) – as West drops the King – to solve all his
problems.
Why not?
b)
♠ A8642
♥ K 10 8 3
♦ 5
♣ KJ9
♠ KQJ3 N ♠ 9
♥ A642 ♥ QJ5
♦ K 10 W E ♦ AQJ96
♣ Q32 S ♣ 10 8 7 4
♠ 10 7 5
♥ 97
♦ 87432
♣ A65
What should South play to his partner’s Ace at trick 3 in this

case?
95
♠7 – a true count signal, according to the length of his remaining

holding in spades. Again, the King drops from West.
c)
♠ A8642
♥ K 10 8 3
♦ 5
♣ KJ9
♠ KQJ7 N ♠ 9
♥ A962 ♥ QJ5
♦ K 10 W E ♦ AQJ96
♣ Q32 S ♣ 10 8 7 4
♠ 10 5 3
♥ 74
♦ 87432
♣ A65
What should South play to his partner’s Ace at trick 3 here?

♠5 – a true count signal, according to the length of his remaining
holding in spades. Again, the King appears from West.
Which card would solve partner’s problems in scenario a)?
The ♠J, of course.
The hand contained one more minor difficulty. In the b) and c)
variations partner, having cashed the ♠A, should switch to the
♣9. It will be necessary for South to continue clubs, instead of
switching back to spades, after winning the Ace.
96

It is both wise and highly advisable to create a situation where
partner’s play will be beneficial or at least neutral.
W N E S
1NT Pass 2♣ Pass
2♥ Pass 3NT Pass...
♠ J942
♥ A9864
♦ A
♣ 972
N ♠ KQ73
♥ 5
W E ♦ J 10 9 6 3 2
S ♣ A 10
Lead: ♥6. West took South’s ♥10 with the King and exited with
the ♦K to your Ace. Partner followed with the ♦7.
Plan the defense.
97
a)
♠ J942
♥ A9864
♦ A
♣ 972
♠ A 10 N ♠ KQ73
♥ KQ53 ♥ 7
♦ KQ54 W E ♦ J 10 9 6 3 2
♣ QJ6 S ♣ A 10
♠ 865
♥ J 10 2
♦ 87
♣ K8543
Lead: ♥6. West took South’s ♥10 with the King and exited with
the ♦K to your Ace. Partner followed with the ♦7.
Unfortunately, the seven of diamonds is ambiguous. North is
reduced to guessing.
Here only the club switch will hold declarer to ten tricks.
98
b)
♠ J942
♥ A9864
♦ A
♣ 972
♠ 10 8 N ♠ KQ73
♥ KQ53 ♥ 7
♦ KQ84 W E ♦ J 10 9 6 3 2
♣ KQJ S ♣ A 10
♠ A65
♥ J 10 2
♦ 75
♣ 86543
However, on a slightly different layout, the spade switch at trick

three would lead to down two.
c)
♠ J942
♥ A9864
♦ A
♣ 972
♠ A 10 N ♠ KQ73
♥ K532 ♥ 7
♦ KQ84 W E ♦ J 10 9 6 3 2
♣ KJ6 S ♣ A 10
♠ 865
♥ Q J 10
♦ 75
♣ Q8543
Finally, in this layout it is necessary to continue hearts after

getting in with the ♦A.
It is precisely this scenario where we can make life easier for
partner.
99
At the first trick we should have played the Jack, not the ten of
hearts. This way we paint a different picture of the whole deal for
partner. From North’s perspective, only two variations are now
possible:
1)
♠ J942
♥ A9864
♦ A
♣ 972
♠ A 10 N ♠ KQ73
♥ K 10 5 3 ♥ 7
♦ KQ84 W E ♦ J 10 9 6 3 2
♣ KJ6 S ♣ A 10
♠ 865
♥ QJ2
♦ 75
♣ Q8543
Lead: ♥6. West took South’s ♥J with the King and exited with the
♦K to your Ace. Partner followed with the ♦7.
Now North switches to the ♥9. South overtakes with the Queen
and returns another heart through.
One down.
100
2)
♠ J942
♥ A9864
♦ A
♣ 972
♠ 10 8 5 N ♠ KQ73
♥ K Q 10 5 ♥ 7
♦ KQ84 W E ♦ J 10 9 6 3 2
♣ KQ S ♣ A 10
♠ A6
♥ J32
♦ 75
♣ J86543
Lead: ♥6. West took South’s ♥J with the King and exited with the
♦K to your Ace. Partner followed with the ♦7.
North plays the ♥9 again, but no trick is lost since declarer had a
second natural heart trick anyway.
Holding the contract to nine tricks gives N-S a well above average
result.
101

Putting up the highest card from a sequence in a suit played by
declarer often provides partner with very desirable information
and makes his life easier.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1NT Pass 3NT Pass
Pass…
♠ A764
♥ K 10 8
♦ J 10 9 8 6
♣ 5
N ♠ 10 3 2
♥ A752
W E ♦ A54
S ♣ K J 10
Lead: ♦J.
Declarer won the Ace (♦2 from South) and played a spade to the
King. Partner followed with the ♠9.
Plan the defense.
102
The full hand:
♠ A764
♥ K 10 8
♦ J 10 9 8 6
♣ 5
♠ K85 N ♠ 10 3 2
♥ J9 ♥ A752
♦ KQ7 W E ♦ A54
♣ AQ943 S ♣ K J 10
♠ QJ9
♥ Q643
♦ 32
♣ 8762
At the table North ducked the spade King. He imagined a

different distribution of the suit: West ♠KQx – South ♠J98. If this
were the case, taking the Ace would make the play much easier
for declarer.
But why did West make such a risky play in the first place?
At matchpoints every trick counts. Playing a spade at such an
early stage is actually very clever. At this point, defenders have a
very inaccurate picture of the location of honors and the layout of
declarer’s hand.
Inserting the ♠Q at trick two would help partner immensely.
103

There is more to successful defending than correct signaling, no
matter how helpful it might be for partner.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1NT Pass 2♣ Pass
2♦ Pass 3NT Pass…
N ♠ 73
♥ A 10 9 3
W E ♦ AK8
S ♣ J975
♠ 10 8 4 2
♥ 854
♦ Q 10 3
♣ 872
Lead: ♠6. Declarer won South’s ♠10 with the King, overtook his
♥Q with dummy’s Ace and exited with the ♣9.
Which cards do you play in hearts and clubs? What message do
you intend to convey?
104
The full hand:
♠ AJ965
♥ 762
♦ J972
♣ K
♠ KQ N ♠ 73
♥ KQJ ♥ A 10 9 3
♦ 654 W E ♦ AK8
♣ A Q 10 6 4 S ♣ J975
♠ 10 8 4 2
♥ 854
♦ Q 10 3
♣ 832
Lead: ♠6. When declarer won South’s ♠10 with the King and
overtook his ♥Q with dummy’s Ace, you followed with the ♥4. He
then exited with the ♣9, and you played the ♣2.
What do these spot cards mean?

The play of the ♥4 (the lowest card in the suit) at the first heart
trick may be construed as a suit preference signal indicating lack
of support in spades.
It’s now time for a substitute count signal in clubs.
Playing the ♣2 shows an even number of spades and allowed
partner to cash the Ace as soon as he gets in. Unfortunately, (and
not surprisingly!) North did not get the message: he won the ♣K
and… switched to diamonds.
You were trying to make life easier for partner, but you failed.
The real analyst, however, will not play the ♠10 at the first trick.
As can be deducted from the rule of eleven, West holds exactly
two cards higher than the ♠6.
105
On the basis of his own spot cards South can say they are both
honors.
In order to truly assist partner, South should have, therefore,

played the ♠2 at trick 1. Declarer would take the King, revealing
the layout of the suit.
106

Difficult plays are frequently very rewarding indeed. Their
success, however, too often depends on the tempo in which they
are made.
Pairs tournament. EW vulnerable.
W N E S
1♦ Pass 3 ♦ Pass
6♦ Pass…
3♦ = 7–9 points, 4+♦ (2♦ = inverted minors response)
N ♠ Q7
♥ Q98
W E ♦ J842
S ♣ KJ95
♠ K 10 9 8 6 5 3
♥ 72
♦ 3
♣ Q73
Lead: ♠2.
Declarer put up the Queen.
Plan the defense.
107
The full hand:
♠ J42
♥ J643
♦ 75
♣ A 10 8 6
♠ A N ♠ Q7
♥ A K 10 5 ♥ Q98
♦ A K Q 10 9 6 W E ♦ J842
♣ 42 S ♣ KJ95
♠ K 10 9 8 6 5 3
♥ 72
♦ 3
♣ Q73
Lead: ♠2. Declarer put up the Queen.

You should duck the Queen, showing count with the ♠10. And do
it smoothly. Hesitation will betray your intention of helping
partner. But how can we assist him?
Let’s imagine the play after your routinely covering the Queen
with the King. A clever declarer will exit with a club from his
hand immediately after winning the ♠A.
What will North do? He will surely rise with the Ace to cash the
Jack of spades.
Ducking the ♠Q will disable this attractive line of defense. In
addition, it will reveal the spade shortness, thereby strongly
suggesting more than one club in the West hand.
108
One of my students observed that the ♠10 may be interpreted by

partner as suit preference for hearts.
In this case, declarer’s hand would look something like:
♠AK
♥ A 10 7 5
♦ A K Q 10 9 6
♣4
It would then be necessary to jump up with the ♣A.
In my opinion, with:
♠ 10 9 8 6 5 3
♥K2
♦3
♣Q732
South should give the correct count signal in spades (♠3). The
King of hearts is a card whose position should be concealed from
declarer under all circumstances.
109
One might object, finally, that if the opening lead were a

singleton, holding up the King would give declarer an extra trick
in the suit. For example:
♠ 2
♥ KJ43
♦ 75
♣ A 10 8 6 4 2
♠ AJ4 N ♠ Q7
♥ A 10 6 5 ♥ Q98
♦ A K Q 10 9 6 W E ♦ J842
♣ — S ♣ KJ95
♠ K 10 9 8 6 5 3
♥ 72
♦ 3
♣ Q73
Do you really believe West would risk another spade finesse when
dummy’s Queen holds?
I think he would rather look for the missing trick in hearts.
110

Playing the highest card from the sequence in a suit led by
declarer may provide partner with a priceless piece of
information and thus make his life easier.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♠ 2♣ 4♠ Pass
Pass Dbl Pass 4NT
5♠ Pass…
N ♠ K J 10 8
♥ J86542
W E ♦ 3
S ♣ 74
♠ 10 4
♥ Q 10 9 7
♦ 10 9 8 7 4
♣ K2
Lead: ♠2. Declarer wins in dummy and plays a diamond.
Plan the defense.
111
The full hand:
♠ 2
♥ AK3
♦ QJ2
♣ A J 10 9 5 3
♠ AQ9653 N ♠ K J 10 8
♥ — ♥ J86542
♦ AK65 W E ♦ 3
♣ Q86 S ♣ 74
♠ 74
♥ Q 10 9 7
♦ 10 9 8 7 4
♣ K2
Lead: ♠2. Declarer wins in dummy and plays a diamond.

South smoothly put up the ten (important information), inspiring
North to unblock the Queen and the Jack.
Why is it crucial for North to unblock?

If he fails to get rid of his diamond honors, declarer will play
three rounds of diamonds, discarding two clubs from dummy.
North will get in, but will have no more trumps to lead.
112
It’s All About Context
IT’S ALL ABOUT CONTEXT

Learning your alphabet of signals by heart is not enough. It is no
less important to know when to use particular signals and to be
able to draw correct conclusions. It’s all about context; location,
location, location!
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1NT = 14–16 HCP
♠ 10 5 4 3 2
♥ 76
♦ 87
♣ AQ53
N ♠ 87
♥ KJ5
W E ♦ A K J 10 3
S ♣ 764
Lead: ♠3.
Declarer wins South’s ♠Q with the Ace and runs the ♦9 to
partner’s Queen.
You follow with the ♦7, hoping to indicate club values. At trick
three partner cashes the ♠K.
Plan the defense.
113
a)
♠ 10 5 4 3 2
♥ 76
♦ 87
♣ AQ53
♠ AJ9 N ♠ 87
♥ AQ82 ♥ KJ5
♦ 954 W E ♦ A K J 10 3
♣ K98 S ♣ 764
♠ KQ6
♥ 10 9 4 3
♦ Q62
♣ J 10 2
Lead: ♠3.
Declarer wins South’s ♠Q with the Ace and runs the ♦9 to
partner’s Queen.
You follow with the ♦7, hoping to indicate club values. At trick
three partner cashes the ♠K.
Play the ♠10. If it’s to be useful, it should say more than merely
denying the possession of the Jack. It also suggests a switch. One
look at dummy makes clear which suit we have in mind.
114
It’s All About Context
b)
♠ 10 5 4 3 2
♥ A6
♦ 87
♣ Q953
♠ AJ9 N ♠ 87
♥ Q872 ♥ KJ5
♦ 954 W E ♦ A K J 10 3
♣ AK8 S ♣ 764
♠ KQ6
♥ 10 9 4 3
♦ Q62
♣ J 10 2
Here playing the ♠10 would make no sense. Although it would

convey true information, it would also suggest to partner the
wrong line of defense. Since North wants the spade continuation,
he should play the ♠2, showing five cards, hence a source of tricks
in the suit.
115
THE RIGHT TRACK 1

Some of partner’s mistakes are very hard to avoid. Instead of
complaining, you should reflect on how you could have helped
him out.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♥ 1♠ 2NT Pass
4♥ Pass…
♠ 10 9 8 7 5 4
♥ 4
♦ A 10
♣ K Q 10 3
N ♠ KJ32
♥ A32
W E ♦ QJ93
S ♣ 84
Lead: ♣K.
Partner follows with the encouraging ♣2.
Plan the defense.
116
The Right Track 1
The full hand:
♠ 10 9 8 7 5 4
♥ 4
♦ A 10
♣ K Q 10 3
♠ AQ N ♠ KJ32
♥ K Q J 10 8 6 5 ♥ A32
♦ 52 W E ♦ QJ93
♣ J7 S ♣ 84
♠ 6
♥ 97
♦ K8764
♣ A9652
Lead: ♣K.
Partner follows with the encouraging ♣2.
You continued with the ♣Q. South overtook with the Ace and
switched to… spades.
You should have cashed the ♦A prior to leading the second club.
This way you would have protected partner from making a
natural and difficult to avoid play.
117
THE RIGHT TRACK 2

It is often declarer instead of partner, whom the less experienced
defenders put on the right track.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
N ♠ KJ2
♥ A92
W E ♦ K63
S ♣ AQ86
♠ 8763
♥ Q7653
♦ 874
♣ 2
Lead: ♠10.
Declarer cashed four rounds of spades. Partner discarded the ♦2
and the ♥8.
Time for clubs. Plan the three discards you need to make.
118
The Right Track 2
The full hand:
♠ 10 4
♥ J84
♦ AJ92
♣ 10 7 5 3
♠ AQ95 N ♠ KJ2
♥ K 10 ♥ A92
♦ Q 10 5 W E ♦ K63
♣ KJ94 S ♣ AQ86
♠ 8763
♥ Q7653
♦ 874
♣ 2
Lead: ♠10.
Declarer cashed four rounds of spades. Partner discarded the ♦2
and the ♥8, while dummy disposed of a heart.
On the clubs you threw two hearts and a diamond.
119
Here is the ensuing ending:
♠ —
♥ J4
♦ AJ9
♣ —
♠ — N ♠ —
♥ K 10 ♥ A9
♦ Q 10 5 W E ♦ K63
♣ — S ♣ —
♠ —
♥ Q76
♦ 87
♣ —
At this point West cashed the two heart tops and played a
diamond to the Queen.
A magician or a peeping Tom?
Both defenders exposed their hands with their discards.
The dangerous opening lead of the ♠10 betrayed an awkward

diamond combination, unsuitable to lead from. The routine
discards of a diamond and two hearts revealed the distribution of
the relevant suits. As a consequence, declarer could play double-
dummy.
What was wrong?

South should have parted with only one heart and two diamonds,
in order to confuse the count of the hand. Similarly, North should
have thrown a heart first to make the diamond discard look
enforced.
Such defense would make declarer’s task much tougher.
120
The Right Time
THE RIGHT TIME

Great defending includes, among other things, knowing the right
time to share the necessary information.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1NT Dbl Rdbl
2♣ Dbl Rdbl Pass
2♦ Pass Pass Dbl
Pass…
1NT = 12–14 HCP
Dbl (E) = 5+M–4+m
Rdbl (S) = strong
2♣ = pass or correct
Dbl (N) = penalty
Rdbl (E) = 6M–4+♦
Dbl (S) = penalty
♠ A53
♥ 976
♦ K7
♣ K Q 10 6 3
N ♠ KJ8742
♥ AQ
W E ♦ 10 9 4 3
S ♣ A
Lead: ♦K
Trick 1 – ♦K, ♦3, ♦6, ♦5
Trick 2 – ♦7, ♦4, ♦A, ♦8
Trick 3 – ♦2, ♦J, ?, ♦9
What would you discard in the third trump trick?
121
The full hand:
♠ A53
♥ 976
♦ K7
♣ K Q 10 6 3
♠ — N ♠ KJ8742
♥ J8542 ♥ AQ
♦ QJ85 W E ♦ 10 9 4 3
♣ J854 S ♣ A
♠ Q 10 9 6
♥ K 10 3
♦ A62
♣ 972
It is necessary to give partner a count signal in hearts – the ♥9 –

informing him about your possession of three small cards in the
suit. This should persuade South to at least consider the master
play of ducking the Queen of hearts!
Which, needless to say, makes a two-trick difference.
122
Camouflage
CAMOUFLAGE
Camouflage serves to put the opponent on the wrong track.
Often an analysis of the defenders’ actions allows declarer to
adopt the winning line of play.
The ability to effectively manipulate an opponent is priceless.
Only a few or perhaps a dozen players in the world boast it.
W N E S
1♥ Pass 1 ♠ Pass
2♣ Pass 2 ♦ Pass
2♥ Pass 3 ♣ Pass
4♥ Pass…
N ♠ A Q 10 7 2
♥ 6
W E ♦ A93
S ♣ Q 10 5 3
♠ J54
♥ 82
♦ KJ852
♣ KJ9
Lead: ♦4 (4th best).
Plan the defense.
123
The full hand:
♠ 986
♥ A 10 9 4
♦ Q 10 7 4
♣ 76
♠ K3 N ♠ A Q 10 7 2
♥ KQJ753 ♥ 6
♦ 6 W E ♦ A93
♣ A842 S ♣ Q 10 5 3
♠ J54
♥ 82
♦ KJ852
♣ KJ9
Lead: ♦4. West wins the Ace and plays a heart.

Declarer’s layout is clear already: 2=6=1=4.
We are entitled to two trumps and one club only and a club lead
by partner won’t remedy it. West will duck, or else win the Ace,
draw two more trumps and dispose of two club losers on the third
and fourth rounds of spades. If active defense does not contribute
to defeating the contract, we have to try something else.
At the table I followed with the ♦5, instead of the routine ♦8.
Next, I played the ♥8, drawing partner’s attention away from the
club suit.
Accordingly, North, after getting in with the ♥A, continued
diamonds. Declarer ruffed my King, cashed two trump honors
and exited with another heart. I discarded the ♦8 and the ♦J.
Now partner got in and, a bit confused with my signals, rather
reluctantly switched to clubs. Declarer took my ♣9 with the Ace.
124
Camouflage
Here are the remaining cards:
♠ 986
♥ —
♦ 10 7
♣ 6
♠ K3 N ♠ A Q 10 7
♥ 7 ♥ —
♦ — W E ♦ —
♣ 842 S ♣ Q 10
♠ J54
♥ —
♦ 2
♣ KJ
While discarding diamonds on the hearts, let me remind you, I

prudently kept the two.
Declarer now feared the 4-2 spade break with Jack-fourth in the
South hand. Fortunately, he had recently read about strip
squeezes. So he cashed the last trump. Satisfying his
expectations, I discarded the ♣J.
Now declarer, having exposed my hand as 4=2=4=3,
triumphantly cashed the ♠K and throws me in with a club.
The long-hidden ♦2 hits the table.
It would have been better for declarer to duck the ♣9, you will
say, for it would lead to a spade-club squeeze against South.
Here, the 3–3 spade break would be revealed, since South would
be forced to part with his invaluable two of diamonds.
True, but, be that as it may, defenders must do their best
regardless of declarer’s performance.
In this subtle deal, the defenders did all they could to put
declarer on the wrong track.
125
PROTECTION 1
Instead of putting partner on the right track (which in any event
does not always exists), it is sometimes better to tackle the
problem yourself.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♠ 2♣ 3♣ Pass
4♣ Pass 4♦ Pass
4♥ Pass 4♠ Pass…
N ♠ AJ8
♥ 10 6 4 2
W E ♦ K 10 3
S ♣ A73
♠ 964
♥ K987
♦ J74
♣ 10 6 2
Lead: ♣K. Declarer wins the Ace, pitching a heart from his hand.
Next he ruffs a club, draws two rounds of trumps (North discards
a club on the second round) and ruffs another club.
Now West cashes the ♥A and exits with the ♥J, covered by your
partner’s Queen.
Plan the defense.
126
Protection 1
The full hand:
♠ 5
♥ Q5
♦ A82
♣ KQJ9854
♠ K Q 10 7 3 2 N ♠ AJ8
♥ AJ3 ♥ 10 6 4 2
♦ Q965 W E ♦ K 10 3
♣ — S ♣ A73
♠ 964
♥ K987
♦ J74
♣ 10 6 2
Lead: ♣K. Declarer wins the Ace, pitching a heart from his hand.
Next he ruffs a club, draws trumps twice (North discards a club
on the second round) and ruffs another club. Now West cashes
the ♥A and exits with the ♥J, covered by your partner’s Queen.
Declarer’s distribution – 6=3=4=0 – is, at this stage, which is
known to South but not to North. South should have overtaken
the Queen of hearts and lead trumps.
One diamond discard is not enough for declarer – he has to find
the Jack anyway.
127
PROTECTION 2
Partner is often forced to part with a potential stopper in one of
the suits. You have to help him make the right choice.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1NT
Pass Pass 2 ♣ Pass
3♥ Pass…
2♣ = majors
N ♠ KQ76
♥ QJ76
W E ♦ Q3
S ♣ Q53
♠ AJ92
♥ AK8
♦ A976
♣ J9
Lead: ♥2. The defender with a very weak hand should use trumps
to show the general distribution of his hand (Vinje trump signal).
Here it means the even tendency (even number of cards in three
suits, odd in the remaining one).
Plan the defense.
128
Protection 2
The full hand:
♠ 10 8 5 4
♥ 42
♦ J 10 5
♣ 10 8 7 6
♠ 3 N ♠ KQ76
♥ 10 9 5 3 ♥ QJ76
♦ K842 W E ♦ Q3
♣ AK42 S ♣ Q53
♠ AJ92
♥ AK8
♦ A976
♣ J9
Lead: ♥2. We take the King and, quite naturally, continue

trumps.
In the third trick partner discards a club. The contract can no
longer be beaten.
North had a tough decision. We could have let him know about
the necessity of keeping the club stopper by switching to the ♣J at
trick two.
Declarer will win the Ace and probably return to trumps himself.
We shall persist with clubs, to West’s King.
Now, when the third heart is played, North will no doubt throw a
diamond.
Does it conclude the matter? Far from it – the battle has just
begun.
129
The following end position will be reached:
♠ 10 8 5 4
♥ —
♦ J 10
♣ 10 8
♠ 3 N ♠ KQ76
♥ 10 ♥ Q
♦ K842 W E ♦ Q3
♣ 42 S ♣ Q
♠ AJ92
♥ —
♦ A976
♣ —
Declarer plays a spade, but, to your surprise, calls for a small

card from dummy.
Partner made an innocent-looking mistake – he failed to insert
the ♠8.
This leaves you endplayed. You exit with the ♠2 to dummy’s
Queen (West pitching a club), but declarer cashes the ♣Q. This
time it is you who are squeezed, and it is genuine this time:
– if you discard a spade, declarer will establish an extra trick by
ruffing a spade in hand
– if you part with a diamond, the same thing will happen in that
suit.
Note declarer’s precision. He won both club tricks in his hand. He

must have envisaged this ending.
You assisted your partner as much as you could. Putting up the
♠8 required a lot of concentration, which is hard to maintain if
your play is unimportant. Or so it seems.
130
The Wrong Track
THE WRONG TRACK

Leading your opponent astray is among the basic defensive tasks.
W N E S
1NT Pass 2♣ Pass
2♦ Pass 3NT Pass…
N ♠ A98
♥ Q 10 8 5
W E ♦ K43
S ♣ Q75
♠ J62
♥ 943
♦ J82
♣ A 10 4 2
Lead: ♠4.
Your Jack holds the trick.
Plan the defense.
131
The full hand:
♠ KQ543
♥ 762
♦ Q 10 9
♣ J3
♠ 10 7 N ♠ A98
♥ AKJ ♥ Q 10 8 5
♦ A765 W E ♦ K43
♣ K986 S ♣ Q75
♠ J62
♥ 943
♦ J82
♣ A 10 4 2
South takes the Jack and returns the ♠2!!! North wins the King
and continues with the ♠5.
So far we managed to convince declarer about the 4-4 spade split:
N ♠K543 – S ♠QJ62.
From the West’s perspective there is no easy route to nine tricks.
It may be best to win the second spade and return the suit,
hoping for some kind of a squeeze to materialize in the future. By
contrast, conceding two clubs seems to be an absurd line of play,
assuming a 4-4 spade break.
How will it end? It is hard to tell. Declarer will have difficulties

finding a route to success.
But how will the play proceed if defenders reveal the 5-3 spade
break?
Let’s look at an account of the events at the table.

“North led the four of spades, dummy played low and South’s
Jack won the trick. South continued with the 6 of spades, covered
132
The Wrong Track
by the ten and Queen, dummy playing low. North exited with a
spade to dummy’s now bare Ace, declarer discarding a low
diamond from hand.
Declarer had seven top tricks and needed to develop another two
in clubs. As the spades were clearly five-three, this needed to be
done without North gaining the lead. So declarer crossed to his
hand with the king of hearts to play a low club, finessing
dummy’s seven. South won the ten of clubs and, with an
unattractive holding in diamonds, exited passively in hearts.
Declarer took this with the Queen in dummy and cashed the Ace
of hearts before playing a second club towards dummy.
When the Jack of clubs appeared, his precaution of gathering
information about hearts proved unnecessary. He called for the
Queen of clubs from dummy and claimed nine tricks when East
took this with the Ace”.
I seek educational aspects in every interesting bridge deal. The

analysis of analogous positions greatly improves our
understanding of the game.
133
Here is a slightly different scenario.
♠ KQ54
♥ 762
♦ Q 10 9
♣ 732
♠ 10 7 N ♠ A98
♥ AKJ ♥ Q 10 8 5
♦ A765 W E ♦ K43
♣ K986 S ♣ Q 10 5
♠ J632
♥ 943
♦ J82
♣ AJ4
Lead: ♠4. Your Jack holds the trick.

Now you ought to return the six and follow with the two on the
third round of the suit. If you manage to convince declarer about
the 5-3 spade split with North holding five, he will take the safe
finesse against the ♣J right into your open arms.
134
A Controversy
A CONTROVERSY
A seemingly ordinary situation may cause unexpected trouble at
times. It turns out to be necessary to discuss a lot of lead
positions with partner.
W N E S
1♠ Pass 2NT
5♦ Pass…
2NT = invitation with support
♠ A9654
♥ 976
♦ 8
♣ AK62
N ♠ J 10 7
♥ Q J 10 5 2
W E ♦ A7
S ♣ 10 4 3
Lead: ♣A. Partner drops the Queen, West following with the ♣5.
Plan the defense.
135
The full hand:
♠ A9654
♥ 976
♦ 8
♣ AK62
♠ — N ♠ J 10 7
♥ AK ♥ Q J 10 5 2
♦ K Q J 10 6 5 3 2 W E ♦ A7
♣ 985 S ♣ 10 4 3
♠ KQ832
♥ 843
♦ 94
♣ QJ7
Lead: ♣A. Partner drops the Queen, West following with the ♣5.
The solution seems to be easy enough. Since you received attitude
rather than count signal from partner, you have to provide him
with count information, transferring, in a way, the problem to his
hand.
At trick two you continue with the ♣2.
1) In our case South plays the third round of clubs.
2)
♠ KQ83
♥ 843
♦ 94
♣ QJ97
Here South will cash the spade trick.
Is this method universally effective?
136
A Controversy
3)
South
♠ KQ832
♥ 843
♦ 643
♣ QJ
West
♠ —
♥ AK
♦ K Q J 10 9 5 2
♣ 9875
A low club continuation makes defense more difficult when
declarer has four small clubs. Instead, the simple club ruff beats
the contract right away.
The contract can still be defeated, but now it’s entirely up to
partner.
When we play the low club to partner’s Jack, he will have to
switch to diamonds to deprive declarer of one of his dummy
entries. If he plays a spade instead, West will unblock hearts and
exit with a trump honor. When the ♦8 appears, he will overtake
with the Ace and play good hearts, eventually forcing out one of
South’s trumps (or pitching the losing clubs).
137
Let’s read the description of an authentic deal.

“Greece against Germany
European Championship Malmo – 2004.
♠ A9654
♥ 976
♦ 8
♣ AK62
♠ — N ♠ J 10 7
♥ AK ♥ Q J 10 5 2
♦ K Q J 10 6 5 3 2 W E ♦ A7
♣ 985 S ♣ 10 4 3
♠ KQ832
♥ 843
♦ 94
♣ QJ7
Closed Room
W N E S
Papakyri Ludewig Filios Reps
1♠ Pass 2♠
5♦ Pass…
Ludewig led the King of clubs on which Reps played the Queen.
Reasoning that South was more likely to hold four-four in the
black suits, South then continued with the club Ace and tried the
spade Ace.
Greece were plus 400 and set for a nice swing. Or so we thought.
138
A Controversy
The open Room was the scene of a horror show:
Open Room
W N E S
Piekarek Triant Gotard Kannavos
1♠ Pass 2 NT
5♦ 5♠ Pass Pass
6♦ Dbl Pass…
Five spades would have been a little expensive but it helped push
the Germans overboard. North led the club Ace (three, Queen,
five) and continued…the spade Ace, South having promised four
or more. That was plus 1090 and 12 IMPs in, rather than minus
300 and 12 away. Looking at all four hands it is rather easier to
get these situations right than it is at the table. In this case,
defending at the six-level, North might have reasoned that his
partner would have given a count card with five clubs rather than
the queen”.
But the case is more complex than it would seem from the
reporter’s account.
What should South play to the Ace of clubs from the following
combinations?
a) ♣Q J 7 – I’m in doubt – the ♣Q is the routine card.
b) ♣Q J 9 8 7 – I’m in doubt (the ♣9 or the ♣Q)
c) ♣Q J 9 7 – I have no doubt – the ♣7 (count signal)
d) ♣Q 9 7 (J 9 7) – I have no doubt – the ♣9 (count signal)
Evidently, there is no good solution with the b) hand.
How can we put partner on the right track while defending
against the diamond slam?
With our original hand, we know we have no spade to cash.
Therefore, we should convince partner to continue clubs.
139
The play of the Jack of clubs (from ♣Q J 7) will place the Queen
in declarer’s hand, no doubt prompting partner to cash the other
high club, too. Whether or not he will continue the suit at the
third trick is a different matter altogether.
But the jack, you would protest, usually works as an alarm-clock
play to make partner switch. Well, as you can see, it’s all about
context. Location, location, location.
140
Part 2:
SUIT PREFERENCE
SUIT PREFERENCE (subsequently referred to as S/P) falls into
the category of attitude signals. It conveys information about the
position of side suits honors. We can use it whenever we deem it
necessary to show a suit with substantial honor values, in order
to assist partner in making optimum defensive decisions.
Playing a high card shows values in the higher-ranking and a low
card – in the lower-ranking of the remaining two suits.
Basic applications of this method are commonplace.
141
Part 2: Suit Preference
EXAMPLES
I.
One advantage of S/P is its simplicity.
W N E S
1♥ Dbl Pass
1♠ Pass 2♥ Pass
♠ 72
♥ AKQ65
♦ 75
♣ QJ32
♠ 10 9 8 6 4 N ♠ AKQ
♥ J83 ♥ 10 9 2
♦ Q32 W E ♦ AKJ64
♣ K 10 8 S ♣ A4
♠ J53
♥ 74
♦ 10 9 8
♣ 97652
Lead: the Ace, King and Queen of hearts.

The author of the problem suggests discarding a discouraging
high club to prevent a club shift from partner. But this is not
sufficient to obtain the heart continuation from North – the
position of the ♦Q is by no means obvious.
142
Examples
a)
♠ 72
♥ AKQ65
♦ 75
♣ QJ83
♠ 10 9 8 6 4 ♠ AKQ
♥ J83 ♥ 10 9 2
♦ Q32 ♦ AKJ64
♣ K 10 ♣ A4
♠ J53
♥ 74
♦ 10 9 8
♣ 97652
S/P is much more effective. An unequivocal discard of the ♦10

cries out for a heart continuation at Trick 4.
b)
♠ 72
♥ AKQ65
♦ 75
♣ QJ83
♠ J9864 N ♠ AKQ
♥ J83 ♥ 10 9 2
♦ 10 3 2 W E ♦ AKJ64
♣ K 10 S ♣ A4
♠ 10 5 3
♥ 74
♦ Q98
♣ 97652
Since a heart continuation would prove fatal here, providing

declarer with ruff and sluff, South should help partner with the
S/P ♣2.
Note that, according to Bridge World Standard Defense, in both
cases South should merely discourage the club shift.
143
II.
Against a no-trump contract, defenders use their cards in the
first suit played by declarer to express their preferences.
W N E S
1♣ Pass
1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass
2NT Pass 3NT Pass...
a)
♠ K Q 10 8
♥ 10 9 7
♦ J 10 9 6
♣ A7
♠ 75 N ♠ J942
♥ AQ65 ♥ K3
♦ K852 W E ♦ AQ
♣ Q92 S ♣ K J 10 6 4
♠ A63
♥ J842
♦ 743
♣ 853
Lead: ♦J. West wins the Ace (South follows with the ♦7 – an odd
number of diamonds) and continues with a club to the Queen. We
duck and take the next club.
The diamond situation is clear enough. Much more significant are
partner’s club signals, relating to spades and hearts.
As South followed with the ♣8 and the ♣3 (implying spade
values), we switch to the ♠8. This way, regardless of whether
partner holds two or three spades, we cash the three spade tricks
we are entitled to.
The result – just made.
144
Examples
b)
♠ K Q 10 8
♥ 10 9 7
♦ J 10 9 6
♣ A7
♠ A5 N ♠ J942
♥ Q652 ♥ K3
♦ K852 W E ♦ AQ
♣ Q92 S ♣ K J 10 6 4
♠ 763
♥ AJ84
♦ 743
♣ 853
This time South followed with the ♣3 and the ♣8 (betraying

interest in the heart suit); accordingly, we switch to the ♥10.
Again, declarer is held to just nine obvious tricks (four clubs,
three diamonds, one spade, one heart).
145
III.
Whenever our opening lead established winners in dummy – S/P
applies.
Pairs tournament. Both vulnerable.
W N E S
1♥ 1♠ 1NT 2♠
4♥ Pass…
a)
♠ A 10 8 7 5
♥ 53
♦ KJ5
♣ Q 10 9
♠ 96 N ♠ KQ2
♥ A K Q J 10 6 2 ♥ 984
♦ Q 10 9 W E ♦ 763
♣ A S ♣ K652
♠ J43
♥ 7
♦ A842
♣ J8743
Lead: ♠A. South follows with the Jack.

We duly proceed to cash three diamond tricks.
146
Examples
b)
♠ A 10 8 7 5
♥ 53
♦ KJ5
♣ Q 10 9
♠ 96 N ♠ KQ2
♥ A K Q J 10 6 2 ♥ 984
♦ A W E ♦ 763
♣ 743 S ♣ K652
♠ J43
♥ 7
♦ Q 10 9 8 4 2
♣ AJ8
Lead: ♠A. This time South plays the ♠3 and is instantly rewarded
by the club shift from us. The Club Queen is the most helpful
card we can play to reward partner’s S/P signal.
147
IV.
Whenever partner on gaining the lead, has an alternative of
opening a new suit or trying to reach us and get us to play that
suit through declarer or dummy, we must clarify the situation for
him.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♥ Pass 4♥ Pass…
a)
♠ 10 6 5 2
♥ A6
♦ QJ93
♣ 742
♠ Q4 N ♠ A93
♥ Q 10 9 7 3 ♥ KJ84
♦ AK86 W E ♦ 5
♣ J3 S ♣ 10 9 8 6 5
♠ KJ87
♥ 52
♦ 10 7 4 2
♣ AKQ
Lead: ♦Q. Partner (South) follows with the ♦7, expressing his
interest in the spade suit (S/P applies when shortness appears in
dummy in a suit contract).
Declarer plays the ♣J.
It’s no time for count signals – we must tell partner what to do.
We follow with the ♣2 – „do not switch to spades!”. South duly
exits with a trump.
Eventually the contract will go one down.
148
Examples
The theme contained here may be controversial; but essentially

when both members of a partnership can see that a shift might be
essential, S/P over-rides count.
b)
♠ Q652
♥ Q6
♦ QJ93
♣ 742
♠ 10 4 N ♠ A93
♥ A 10 9 7 3 ♥ KJ84
♦ AK86 W E ♦ 5
♣ J3 S ♣ 10 9 8 6 5
♠ KJ87
♥ 52
♦ 10 7 4 2
♣ AKQ
Lead: ♦Q. Partner (South) follows with the ♦7, expressing his
interest in the spade suit (S/P applies when shortness appears in
dummy in a suit contract).
Declarer plays the ♣J.
Here we follow with the ♣7 and South opens the spade suit. It
boils down for declarer to finding the heart Queen.
149
V.
Covering with an honor is routine. Ducking, on the other hand –
inasmuch as it requires some intellectual effort – means
something specific.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♣ 1♦ 2♥ 4♦
4♠ Pass…
1♣ = 15+ HCP
2♥ = 6+♠, weak (4–7 HCP) or strong (12+ HCP)
♠ A
♥ 10 9 8 3
♦ K 10 8 7 4
♣ AQ3
♠ K542 N ♠ QJ8763
♥ AKQ6 ♥ J42
♦ A5 W E ♦ —
♣ 974 S ♣ 10 8 5 2
♠ 10 9
♥ 75
♦ QJ9632
♣ KJ6
Lead: ♦7(4th). Declarer cleverly disposes of a heart from dummy.

If he ruffed a diamond next, we would get a chance to show suit
preference.
Suppose, however, that South wants to draw partner’s attention
to his clubs immediately. As the Rule of Eleven makes clear, West
holds only one diamond higher than the ♦7; it surely is the Ace.
150
Examples
It is therefore an excellent S/P signal for clubs to duck by

following with the ♦2.
How were we to show the heart values?
By covering the ♦7 with the ♦9. When West takes the Ace,
partner will know the whole story.
151
VI.
Whenever you have a choice of playing one of the two small cards
from a suit – S/P applies.
Pairs tournament
W N E S
1♣ Pass Pass Dbl
3♣ Pass 3♥ Pass
3NT Pass Pass Dbl
Pass…
♠ A974
♥ J75
♦ J 10 8 2
♣ 74
♠ Q6 N ♠ J 10 5
♥ 10 9 ♥ Q432
♦ AQ W E ♦ 643
♣ A K Q J 10 8 2 S ♣ 963
♠ K832
♥ AK86
♦ K975
♣ 5
Lead: ♥J. Your Jack held the trick (♥9 from West).
Time for a straightforward.
1) ♥7 – I’m interested in spades.
2) ♥5 – I’m interested in diamonds.
Note that declarer will follow with the ♥9 and the ♥10, revealing
the layout of the suit completely for partner.
The diamond switch from South on the third trick = 9 tricks.
The spade switch – two down.
152
Examples
VII.
If it is clear for both defenders that the opening lead was
singleton, S/P applies in that suit.
W N E S
1♥ 2♦ 2♥
2♠ 4♥ 4♠ Pass…
♠ A4
♥ KJ9764
♦ 4
♣ A Q 10 5
♠ K Q 10 9 5 3 N ♠ J862
♥ 10 8 3 ♥ 2
♦ J W E ♦ A K Q 10 3 2
♣ K72 S ♣ J3
♠ 7
♥ AQ5
♦ 98765
♣ 9864
Lead: ♦4. Declarer wins in his hand and exits with the ♠K.
We take the Ace and…
The author of the problem comes up with the following analysis:

To beat the contract, we have to find partner with one of the two
cards: the ♥A or the ♣K. There is, however, no need to guess.
After getting in with the trump Ace, we can gather some
intelligence by means of cashing the ♣A. If partner encourages,
we continue with another club to his King and get a ruff.
Otherwise the only remaining chance is the ♥A.
153
The reality was very brutal indeed – North turned out not to be
the only player in possession of a singleton diamond.
This is often the result of technical speculations unaccompanied
by cooperation between partners. The suit in which S/P applies is
not spades – South may have no choice there – but diamonds.
The correct commentary to the above deal should thus be as

follows.
Lead: ♦3. Partner follows with the ♦9 (indicating heart values).
West takes the Jack and exits with the ♠K. We win the Ace and
shift to the lowest heart, asking for a club back. It is obvious to
South that the diamond opening lead was a singleton.
He will thus switch to clubs, according to his partner’s suggestion
if declarer is also out of diamonds.
Had the West hand been different:

♠ K Q 10 9 7 5
♥ 10 8 3
♦J65
♣K
the contract would have been beaten by a diamond ruff followed
by the cashing of the ♣A.
154
Examples
VIII.
If you decide to lead trumps, you should treat the opening lead
card as a S/P signal.
W N E S
1NT Pass 2♣ Pass
1NT = 12–14 HCP
♠ A975
♥ 875
♦ 872
♣ 932
♠ 432 N ♠ KJ6
♥ KJ43 ♥ A Q 10 9
♦ J 10 9 4 W E ♦ Q5
♣ AK S ♣ 8764
♠ Q 10 8
♥ 62
♦ AK63
♣ Q J 10 5
Lead: ♥8. Declarer won in dummy and switched to diamonds. You

rose with the King as North signaled an odd number with the ♦8.
Thanks to S/P in trumps you know about partner’s ♠A right
away. This, in turn, allows you to imagine West’s hand as:
a)
♠ xxx
♥ KJxx
♦ J 10 9 x
♣ AK
155
b)
♠ xx
♥ KJxx
♦ J 10 9 x
♣ AKx
In the a) case the spade shift is a must.
In b), on the other hand, we must not play spades ourselves.
Misplaying the suit by declarer remains our only hope.
Are we condemned to guessing?

The opening lead analysis may come in handy.
a) Let’s sketch out partner’s hand.
♠Axxx
♥xxx
♦xxx
♣xxx
b)
♠ Axxxx
♥ xxx
♦ xxx
♣ xx
With the former hand, the trump lead is justified by the lack of
other attractive options. With the latter, the club lead would
seem more logical. Here it would be, in addition, the killing lead.
Based on S/P information from the first trick and the correct
analysis, South may find the effective defense – the spade switch.
156
Examples
IX.
Let’s look at another scenario where partner has doubled, asking
for a heart lead.
Being in possession of a high card to play through dummy’s
values, you are normally going to lead that card.
If, however, you lead from two or more small, S/P applies –
particularly if the full count of the suit is already known.
W N E S
1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass
1NT Pass 2♣ Pass
2NT Pass 3NT Dbl
Pass…
2♣ = waiting
2NT = 13–14 HCP with two cards in hearts
♠ 872
♥ 43
♦ A7654
♣ 843
♠ AKQ N ♠ J654
♥ 86 ♥ QJ752
♦ J32 W E ♦ Q 10
♣ K J 10 9 5 S ♣ AQ
♠ 10 9 3
♥ A K 10 9
♦ K98
♣ 762
Lead: ♥3. South took dummy’s Jack with the King.
All tested defenders chose the routine spade switch in Trick 2.
157
The ♥3, however – the lowest card in the suit (deuce is in dummy)
– suggests values in the lower-ranking suit.
The unusual diamond shift can be found solely with the help of
S/P signal.
158
Examples
X.
Whenever the subsequent line of defense is unclear, the cards we
play should indicate location of our values, according to the S/P
principles.
W N E S
1♠ Pass 1NT Pass
3♦ Pass 4♠ Pass…
1NT – forcing
a)
♠ 32
♥ QJ
♦ 10 8 7 5
♣ KJ732
♠ AKQ65 N ♠ J 10 8 7
♥ 875 ♥ K 10 6 2
♦ AKQ6 W E ♦ 32
♣ 9 S ♣ Q 10 5
♠ 94
♥ A943
♦ J94
♣ A864
Lead: ♥Q. Partner’s Queen is covered by dummy’s King and your

Ace.
The situation is unclear, but if you decide to return a heart all the
same, do it the S/P way. Play the ♥3, showing the ♣A.
Partner will now switch to the ♣J (another S/P), awaiting the
heart ruff.
Is this defense obvious?
159
b)
♠ Q3
♥ QJ
♦ 10 8 7 5
♣ J8732
♠ AK652 N ♠ J 10 8 7
♥ 87 ♥ K 10 6 2
♦ AKQ6 W E ♦ 32
♣ K4 S ♣ Q 10 5
♠ 94
♥ A9543
♦ J94
♣ A96

Ace.
Partner’s switch to the ♣J will pose a difficult problem for us.
Should we try to cash another club or shift back to hearts for the
trump promotion?
In my opinion, the high club led by North demands a heart from
partner (a sort of S/P or perhaps simply denying a top club). In
the original layout, North should play the ♣3, leaving both
options open for partner.
160
Examples
c)
♠ Q3
♥ QJ5
♦ 10 8 7 5
♣ KJ73
♠ AK652 N ♠ J 10 8 7
♥ 87 ♥ K 10 6 2
♦ AKQ6 W E ♦ 32
♣ 92 S ♣ Q 10 5
♠ 94
♥ A943
♦ J94
♣ A864
Needless to say, North should cash the ♣K after getting in with

the ♥J.
161
d)
♠ A2
♥ Q5
♦ 10 8 7 5
♣ J9732
♠ KQ653 N ♠ J 10 8 7
♥ J87 ♥ K 10 6 2
♦ AKQJ W E ♦ 32
♣ K S ♣ Q 10 5
♠ 94
♥ A943
♦ 964
♣ A864

Ace.
In with the ♠A, North will cross to South via a high club to
receive the heart ruff.
162
The Other Face of Suit Preference
THE OTHER FACE OF SUIT PREFERENCE

Information about the position of the defenders’ honors may
prove invaluable indeed… for declarer.
W N E S
1♣ 1♠ Dbl Pass
♠ KJ976
♥ 85
♦ A96
♣ 943
N ♠ 10 4
♥ J974
W E ♦ Q3
S ♣ KJ752
Lead: ♠7. Dummy’s ♠10 held the trick. Partner signaled with the
♠8, showing odd number of cards.
Declarer proceeded to cash the ♣A and continued with the ♣10.
Plan the defense.
163
The full hand:
a)
♠ KJ976
♥ 85
♦ A96
♣ 943
♠ AQ2 N ♠ 10 4
♥ K 10 ♥ J974
♦ K 10 8 2 W E ♦ Q3
♣ A Q 10 8 S ♣ KJ752
♠ 853
♥ AQ632
♦ J754
♣ 6
Lead: ♠7. Dummy’s ♠10 held the trick. Partner signaled with the
♠3, showing an odd number of cards.
Declarer proceeded to cash the ♣A and continued with the ♣10.
North followed with the ♣9 and the ♣3, while South discarded the
♥6 on the second round. North’s sequence encouraged a spade
return and showed a diamond value (otherwise he could have
played the ♣4).
The decision about the order in which the red suits are attacked
is crucial for the whole deal. Declarer resorted to an
extraordinary discovery play. Having learned the location of
honors, he led a diamond to the Queen and a heart towards the
King.
Can this unpleasant situation be controlled by defenders?
In my opinion, it is extremely difficult. There’s always a price to
pay.
164
The Other Face of Suit Preference
b)
♠ KJ976
♥ 85
♦ A96
♣ 943
♠ AQ2 N ♠ 10 4
♥ AKQ ♥ J974
♦ 8752 W E ♦ Q3
♣ A 10 8 S ♣ KJ752
♠ 853
♥ 10 6 3 2
♦ K J 10 4
♣ Q6
Unaware of the diamond Ace, South, after getting in with the ♣Q,
will naturally return a spade unless North tells him what to do.
165
SUBTLE 1
Subtle signals help partner solve very difficult technical
problems.
W N E S
1♣ Pass
♠ 86
♥ K986
♦ AJ753
♣ 96
N ♠ Q432
♥ AQJ4
W E ♦ K8
S ♣ AQ3
Lead: ♦5. Declarer wins the King (partner follows with the ♦9 –
count signal) and cashes his club tricks.
2) ♣A, ♣5, ♣2, ♣6
3) ♣Q, ♣J. ♣4, ♣8
4) ♣3, ♣10, ♣K, ♠6
5) ♣8, ♠8, ♠2, ♠10
What do you think partner (S) was trying to tell you with his
cards (♣5, ♣J, ♣10, ♠10) and what, as a consequence, would you
discard to the fifth club?
166
Subtle 1
The full hand:

a) 3NT
♠ 86
♥ K986
♦ AJ753
♣ 96
♠ KJ N ♠ Q432
♥ 753 ♥ AQJ4
♦ 10 6 4 W E ♦ K8
♣ K8742 S ♣ AQ3
♠ A 10 9 7 5
♥ 10 2
♦ Q92
♣ J 10 5
Lead: ♦5. Declarer wins the King (partner follows with the ♦9 –
count signal ) and cashes his club tricks.
As South, we have three key cards for the defense – the Queen of
diamonds, the Ace of spades and… the ten of hearts.
We informed partner about the odd number, by playing the ♦9 on
the first round of the suit. Then we showed the Queen of
diamonds with the ♣5.
On the second round of clubs, we had a choice of playing either
the ♣10 or the ♣J.
The ♣J, in my opinion, suggests spade values.
Finally, it’s time to show partner the ten of hearts by discarding
the ♠10 on the fourth round of clubs.
Note that none of this information will be of use for declarer.
Why is the ♥10 so important?
If we hold this card, partner can safely part with one of his hearts
on the fifth round of clubs, and, as a result, set the contract one
trick. The ♦Q will allow us to hold the trick if West, following the
successful heart finesse, smartly exits in diamonds.
167
We will get the ♠A and four diamonds tricks.

The result – one down.
b) 3NT
♠ 86
♥ K986
♦ AJ753
♣ 96
♠ KJ N ♠ Q432
♥ 10 5 3 ♥ AQJ4
♦ 10 6 4 W E ♦ K8
♣ K8742 S ♣ AQ3
♠ A 10 9 7 5
♥ 72
♦ Q92
♣ J 10 5
Lead: ♦5. Declarer wins the King (partner follows with the ♦9)
and cashes his club tricks.
2) ♣A, ♣5, ♣2, ♣6
3) ♣Q, ♣J. ♣4, ♣8
4) ♣3, ♣10, ♣K, ♠6
5) ♣8, ♠8, ♠2, ?
Here I discard the ♠5, the message being: “I don’t have the ♥10”.
Accordingly, North will get rid of a small diamond on the fifth
club trick, holding declarer to nine tricks.
168
Subtle 2
SUBTLE 2
A subtle touch may soothe partner’s sufferings.
The bidding was relatively unsubtle:
W N E S
1♠ Pass 2NT Pass
4NT Pass 5 ♠ Pass
6♠ Pass…
2NT = game forcing with support
5♠ = 2A + ♠Q
N ♠ KQ82
♥ AQ54
W E ♦ K5
S ♣ 853
♠ 97
♥ 962
♦ 87643
♣ 10 4 2
Lead: ♦J. Declarer wins the Ace, cashes two rounds of trumps
and overtakes his ♦Q with dummy’s King.
What is your play?
169
a)
♠ 10 4
♥ J873
♦ J 10 9 2
♣ AJ7
♠ AJ653 N ♠ KQ82
♥ K 10 ♥ AQ54
♦ AQ W E ♦ K5
♣ KQ96 S ♣ 853
♠ 97
♥ 962
♦ 87643
♣ 10 4 2
First comes the count signal – ♦8.
According to our agreements, with a Yarborough the order of
cards in the trump suit is a substitute count signal.
Why?
Because partner knows the distribution of only one suit
(diamonds in this case).
So I follow with the ♠9 and the ♠7, showing an odd number of
clubs (the shorter of the dummy’s two remaining suits).
Finally, on the second diamond trick, it’s time for suit preference.
Note that by now, courtesy of substitute count in trumps, partner
knows my exact distribution – 2=3=5=3.
I play the ♦3, showing a low honor in clubs. From North’s
perspective it will be obvious that the honor is the ten.
Armed with this knowledge, North will capture declarer’s ♣K
with the Ace and return the ♣J, leaving West with no chance of
making the slam.
170
Subtle 2
b)
♠ 10 4
♥ J873
♦ J 10 9 2
♣ AJ7
♠ AJ653 N ♠ KQ82
♥ K9 ♥ AQ54
♦ AQ W E ♦ K5
♣ K Q 10 9 S ♣ 853
♠ 97
♥ 10 6 2
♦ 87643
♣ 642
This time on the second diamond trick I play the ♦7, showing the
♥10.
Now North has two options:
1) Ducking the King of clubs.
2) Winning the Ace and switching to hearts.
In both cases West can make the contract, provided he guesses
the layout but the defenders have done their best.
171
c)
♠ 10 4
♥ J873
♦ J 10 9 2
♣ AJ7
♠ AJ653 N ♠ KQ82
♥ K 10 ♥ AQ54
♦ AQ W E ♦ K5
♣ K Q 10 6 S ♣ 853
♠ 97
♥ 962
♦ 87643
♣ 942
and overtakes his ♦Q with dummy’s King
I play the ♦6 (or the ♦4) in the second round of diamonds, to let
partner know I have no support in any suit.
The implication for North is that he MUST duck the club.
And how do I signal, you might ask, with both tens? I choose to
show the ♣10 (by means of ♦3), since it is more important for
partner.
172
Subtle 3
SUBTLE 3
The prerequisite of precise defense is providing information about
all the critical cards.
W N E S
1♦
Dbl 4♦ Pass Pass
4♥ Pass…
♠ 10 4 2
♥ 2
♦ J87652
♣ Q53
N ♠ QJ65
♥ 10 8 6 3
W E ♦ 10 9
S ♣ 10 4 2
Lead: ♦2 – sixth best.

Notice an important partnership agreement. Whenever we have
shown at least five cards in a suit, the fourth-best lead indicates
exactly five-card suit. With six-bagger, we lead the lowest card.
Partner wins the Ace (for the sake of camouflage, just in case),
dropping West’s Queen.
At Trick 2, South switches to the ♥Q. Declarer takes the King,
cashes the Ace, too, and continues with another trump. What do
you discard?
173
The full hand:
a)
♠ 10 4 2
♥ 2
♦ J87652
♣ Q53
♠ A97 N ♠ QJ65
♥ AK754 ♥ 10 8 6 3
♦ Q W E ♦ 10 9
♣ AK76 S ♣ 10 4 2
♠ K83
♥ QJ9
♦ AK43
♣ J98
Lead: ♦2 – sixth best.

Partner wins the Ace (for the sake of camouflage, just in case),
dropping West’s Queen.
In Trick 2, South shifts to the ♥Q. Declarer takes the King,
cashes the Ace, too, and continues with another trump.
I am about to make two S/P signals.
I discard the ♦5, on the second heart trick to show something in
clubs.
At the next trick, I play the ♦8, suggesting spade support.
This information will assist partner in the thorough analysis of
the hand.
From South’s point of view, after the sixth-best lead, we can

tentatively reconstruct declarer’s hand as follows:
♠ A?x
♥ AKxxx
♦Q
♣ A?xx
174
Subtle 3
Six hearts are unlikely – otherwise partner might have been

more active in the bidding.
The lack of a second double perhaps indicates three spades and
four clubs, rather than the other way round.
At Trick 2, we passively exit with the ♥Q.
To the subsequent three rounds of trumps, North follows only
once, discarding the ♦5 and the ♦8. The club honor comes as no
surprise.
The key card, however, is the ♠10. Why?
If North holds that card, we (South) must switch to clubs
irrespective of what declarer has in the suit (♣AKxx or ♣AQxx).
Not only because one trick in each suit is enough to set the
contract. After the alternative of the diamond return, this ending
will be reached:
♠ 10 4 2
♥ —
♦ J7
♣ Q53
♠ A97 N ♠ QJ65
♥ 7 ♥ 10
♦ — W E ♦ —
♣ AK76 S ♣ 10 4 2
♠ K83
♥ —
♦ 43
♣ J98
Now declarer simply plays three rounds of clubs and no matter

who wins the third one, the spade trick will disappear for the
defense.
175
Let’s imagine a slightly different layout.
b)
♠ 942
♥ 2
♦ J87652
♣ K53
♠ A 10 7 N ♠ QJ65
♥ AK754 ♥ 10 8 6 3
♦ Q W E ♦ 10 9
♣ AQ76 S ♣ 10 4 2
♠ K83
♥ QJ9
♦ AK43
♣ J98
Partner will discard the ♦5 and the ♦6, denying any help in
spades whatsoever.
Here is the ensuing end position:
♠942
♥—
♦J76
♣K53
♠ A 10 7 ♠ QJ65
♥ 75 ♥ 10
♦ — ♦ 10
♣ AQ76 ♣ 10 4 2
♠ K83
♥ —
♦ K43
♣ J98
In this case the club switch would prove disastrous.

Instead, we ought to exit with a spade (or diamond) and wait for
the two club tricks.
176
Subtle 4
SUBTLE 4
Last-moment signals – when defenders finally grasp what
declarer is up to – can be very sophisticated.
W N E S
1♠ Pass 2 ♠ Pass
4♠ Pass….
N ♠ Q742
♥ 854
W E ♦ K92
S ♣ K43
♠ 86
♥ KQJ9
♦ J65
♣ 10 8 6 5
Lead: ♣Q. Declarer won with the Ace, cashed two rounds of
trumps, played a club to the King and ruffed the third club in
hand. It’s time for hearts – the Ace and small.
North signalled the ♦A, South – good hearts.
To the three heart tricks North followed with the ♥10, ♥3 and ♥7.
What does that order indicate?
177
The full hand:
♠ 53
♥ 10 7 3
♦ A 10 ? 3
♣ QJ92
♠ A K J 10 9 N ♠ Q742
♥ A62 ♥ 854
♦ Q?4 W E ♦ K92
♣ A7 S ♣ K43
♠ 86
♥ KQJ9
♦ J65
♣ 10 8 6 5
Lead: ♣Q. Declarer won with the Ace, cashed two rounds of
trumps, played a club to the King and ruffed the third club in
hand. It’s time for hearts – the Ace and small.
North signalled the ♦A, South – good hearts.
To the three heart tricks North followed with the ♥10, ♥3 and ♥7.
178
Subtle 4
In the ending:
♠ —
♥ —
♦ A 10 ? 3
♣ J
♠ J 10 N ♠ Q7
♥ — ♥ —
♦ Q?4 W E ♦ K92
♣ — S ♣ —
♠ —
♥ Q
♦ J65
♣ 10
South must exit in diamonds.

The key here is the proper understanding of the defensive
position by both NS players. Declarer has three diamonds to the
Queen. The big question is the position of the ♦8.
South himself holds the ♦8. No problem here; he simply plays a
low diamond to his partner’s ten.
North holds the ♦8 – the same solution.
West holds the ♦8. South must lead the Jack, hoping declarer will
misguess location of the ten.
S/P is the only way to locate the eight of diamonds.
Such plays are extremely subtle, last-minute signals, possible

only when defenders understand the logic of declarer’s actions.
The ♥10 was a count signal. The handling of the other two hearts
provided an opportunity to pass S/P information to partner.
In keeping with the general rule, S/P in hearts refers to the other
two suits – diamonds and clubs.
179
Playing the two remaining hearts from the top – ♥7, ♥3 – shows
something significant in diamonds, i.e. the ♦8. Accordingly, South
will exit with a small diamond in the ending discussed.
The opposite order – ♥3, ♥7 – draws partner’s attention away
from the diamond suit. Hence, it denies the ♦8.
In this case, South should confidently put the Jack of diamonds
on the table
180
Subtle 5
SUBTLE 5
The key to this sort of problems is the understanding of the
position the defenders found themselves in, to be able to assist
partner in his dilemmas.
W N E S
1♣ Pass 1 ♥ Pass
1♠ Pass…
1♥ = transfer to spades
1♠ = a minimum blanced hand with three spades
♠ AK53
♥ 865
♦ 10 8 4 3
♣ 85
N ♠ Q964
♥ K9
W E ♦ 752
S ♣ 7632
Lead: ♣8. West wins the Jack (South follows with the ♣4) and
plays the ♠8 to South’s Jack. Partner continues the club attack,
returning the ♣9. Declarer wins the Queen and persists with
trumps. You go up with the King and shift to the ♦3, to South’s
King and West’s Ace. Declarer plays another round of trumps.
You jump up again and switch back to the ♦4. West captures your
partner’s Jack with the Queen and exits with a heart to dummy’s
King. This time partner produces the Ace and gives you the long-
awaited club ruff.
Any other challenges along the way, do you think?
181
The full hand:
♠ AK53
♥ 865
♦ 10 8 4 3
♣ 85
♠ 10 8 7 N ♠ Q964
♥ Q 10 4 2 ♥ K9
♦ AQ6 W E ♦ 752
♣ AQJ S ♣ 7632
♠ J2
♥ AJ73
♦ KJ9
♣ K 10 9 4
Here is the four-card ending:
♠ —
♥ 65
♦ 10 8
♣ —
♠ — N ♠ Q
♥ Q 10 4 ♥ 9
♦ ? W E ♦ 7
♣ — S ♣ 7
♠ —
♥ J7
♦ ?
♣ K
Lead: ♣8. West wins the Jack (South follows with the ♣4) and
plays the ♠8 to South’s Jack. Partner continues the club attack,
182
Subtle 5
returning the ♣9. Declarer wins the Queen and persists with
trumps. You go up with the King and shift to the ♦3, to South’s
King and West’s Ace. Declarer plays another round of trumps.
You jump up again and switch back to the ♦4. West captures your
partner’s Jack with the Queen and exits with a heart to dummy’s
King. This time partner produces the Ace and gives you the long-
awaited club ruff.
Which club did South play for you to ruff? Good question!
1) If it was the King, then declarer holds the key card – the
♦9. We should cash the ♦10, giving up the hope for the
setting trick.
2) If, however, the ten was led, then partner has the ♦9. Now
we can let partner in with the ♦9, allowing him to cash
the setting club trick.
183
MULTIDIMENSIONAL
Sometimes there is more than one reasonable line of defense. To
handle these situations successfully, we have to be armed with
the full arsenal of signals in order to choose the winning option.
W N E S
1♣ Pass
1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass
2NT = forcing
♠ A 10 8 4
♥ K742
♦ 965
♣ 76
N ♠ J
♥ 10 8 5
W E ♦ AKQJ
S ♣ A Q J 10 3
Lead: ♥2. The ♥8 from dummy, partner covers with the nine, and
declarer wins the Queen.
When he finesses the ♣10 next, partner ducks. This is followed by
the Ace and a small club, to South’s King. You followed high-low
(♣7, ♣6), indicating interest in spades.
What should you discard now?
184
Multidimensional
a)
(♣7, ♣6), indicating interest in the spade suit.
For an informed answer you need to know the order in which
South played the clubs.
1) South followed with the ♣9 and then the ♣5, showing a spade
honor.
The four hands:
♠ A 10 8 4
♥ K742
♦ 965
♣ 76
♠ Q753 N ♠ J
♥ AQ3 ♥ 10 8 5
♦ 874 W E ♦ AKQJ
♣ 842 S ♣ A Q J 10 3
♠ K962
♥ J96
♦ 10 3 2
♣ K95
I discard the ♥K.

It can hardly get any clearer that we are interested in spades, not
hearts.
Partner will switch to the King and the nine of spades. The result
– one down.
185
2) South followed with the ♣5 and the ♣9, denying the spade
honor.
♠ A 10 8 4
♥K742
♦965
♣76
♠ KQ75 N ♠ J
♥ AQ3 ♥ 10 8 5
♦ 874 W E ♦ AKQJ
♣ 842 S ♣ A Q J 10 3
♠ 9632
♥ J96
♦ 10 3 2
♣ K95
I discard the ♠10, demanding the heart shift.
b)
♠ A754
♥ A742
♦ 965
♣ 76
♠ Q 10 8 3 N ♠ J
♥ KQ3 ♥ 10 8 5
♦ 874 W E ♦ AKQJ
♣ 842 S ♣ A Q J 10 3
♠ K962
♥ J96
♦ 10 3 2
♣ K95
186
Multidimensional
(♣7, ♣6), indicating interest in the spade suit. Partner, who now
has the lead, played the ♣9 and the ♣5 (in that order) in the first
two club tricks.
How do we confirm our interest in spades, but with no

enthusiasm?
By discarding the ♦5 – „I have a spade honor, but without the
ten”.
Partner will switch to the ♠2, which, together with his previous
signals in clubs, should guarantee the King. The spade return
squeezes dummy.
Notice that with this precise layout of hearts, the second spade
trick must be won by South for the squeeze to operate.
A similar position occurs when South leads the Queen from
♠Q-10.
We will return spades with an attitude seven, squeezing dummy.
187
c) 3NT
♠ A843
♥ A743
♦ 952
♣ 76
♠ K 10 9 5 N ♠ J
♥ KQ2 ♥ 10 8 5
♦ 874 W E ♦ AKQJ
♣ 842 S ♣ A Q J 10 3
♠ Q762
♥ J96
♦ 10 6 3
♣ K95
has the lead, played the ♣9 and the ♣5 (in that order) in the first
two club tricks.
How do we confirm our interest in spades, but with no

enthusiasm?
Discarding the ♦5 – „I have a spade honor, but without the ten”.
South should now switch to the ♠7.
Declarer must guess the position of the spade honors. If he puts
up the King, we win the Ace and confidently continue with the ♠8
– dummy is squeezed.
If, instead, he plays low from hand, we, likewise, win the Ace and
throw him into dummy with a diamond.
188
Multidimensional
d)
♠ A843
♥ A743
♦ 952
♣ 76
♠ K Q 10 9 N ♠ J
♥ KQ2 ♥ 10 8 5
♦ 874 W E ♦ AKQJ
♣ 842 S ♣ A Q J 10 3
♠ 7652
♥ J96
♦ 10 6 3
♣ K95
has the lead, played the ♣5 and the ♣9 (in that order) on the first
two club tricks.
I discard the ♦9, demanding the spade shift.
South should now exit with the ♠6. When declarer puts up the
King, I win and throw dummy in with a diamond.
Yes. I did remember South’s club spots.
189
THE INTERPRETATION OF SIGNALS

The correct interpretation of signals requires enormous shared
knowledge of the partnership.
W N E S
♠ J5
♥ A Q 10 4 3
♦ 95
♣ J542
N ♠ Q42
♥ 75
W E ♦ K Q 10
S ♣ Q9873
Lead: 4 ♥. West takes partner’s Jack with the King and starts
running diamonds.
Partners follows with the:
1) ♦2
2) ♦6
3) ♦3
What does it mean?
190
The Interpretation of Signals
The full hand:
♠ J5
♥ A Q 10 4 3
♦ 95
♣ J542
♠ A 10 9 N ♠ Q42
♥ K98 ♥ 75
♦ AJ874 W E ♦ K Q 10
♣ A6 S ♣ Q9873
♠ K8763
♥ J62
♦ 632
♣ K 10
Lead: ♥4. West takes partner’s Jack with the King and starts
drawing diamonds. Partner’s three diamond spots can be
interpreted as follows:
1) ♦2 – shows a club honor, according to the general rule of
giving S/P on the first suit played by declarer in no-trump
contracts unless count is obviously critical.
2) The high-low order – ♦6, ♦3 – may serve as:
a) a substitute count signal in hearts, indicating an even
number of cards; this information may subsequently
prove invaluable; or
b) a suggestion of a spade value; as we should find out
shortly, this will be confirmed by further play.
The question of which of these variations is used will be a matter
of partnership agreement.
On the third and fourth diamond tricks we discard two clubs, as
partner gets rid of the ♠8 – count signal (odd) in spades.
The critical discard, however, comes at Trick 6.
191
Remember, South showed clubs first. The bidding indicates he

holds the ♠K, too. The problem arises when he has both black
kings. We part with a spade, South following in our footsteps.
Finally, declarer throws us in with a heart. Cashing our tricks in
that suit would squeeze partner, so we must lead the black suit in
which South holds the ten. Trusting partner’s hint from the first
diamond trick – we exit in clubs.
Here is the ending we have been discussing:
♠ J
♥ AQ3
♦ —
♣ J5
♠ A 10 9 N ♠ Q42
♥ 8 ♥ —
♦ — W E ♦ —
♣ A6 S ♣ Q98
♠ K76
♥ 2
♦ —
♣ K 10
North won the heart and led a club through dummy. West was
helpless.
192
Information 1
INFORMATION 1
Providing information seems to be the basic task of suit
preference.
W N E S
3♥ Dbl Pass
4♠ Pass…
♠ 76
♥ A Q 10 8 6 4 3
♦ 5
♣ K6
N ♠ AK54
♥ J52
W E ♦ KJ2
S ♣ A42
Lead: ♦5.
Declarer wins South’s ♦9 with the Ace, draws two rounds of
trumps, ending with the Queen in hand, and exits with the ♥7.
Plan the defense.
193
The full hand:
a)
♠ 76
♥ A Q 10 8 6 4 3
♦ 5
♣ K76
♠ QJ983 N ♠ AK54
♥ K7 ♥ J52
♦ A87 W E ♦ KJ2
♣ 10 9 8 S ♣ A42
♠ 10 2
♥ 9
♦ Q 10 9 6 4 3
♣ QJ53
Lead: ♦5.
trumps, ending with the Queen in hand, and exits with the ♥7.
Again, information about partner’s trump spots is missing. Here,
he should have played in the low-high order – ♠2, ♠10 – to draw
our attention towards clubs.
We rise with the ♥Q and switch to clubs. The result: one down.
Why is ducking the heart dangerous? Declarer may come back to
hand in spades to play the ♣10. South will get in with the Jack
and return:
the ♣Q – West will hold-up, win the next club and play the
King and Jack of diamonds; the result – 10 tricks.
a small club – declarer will take our King and continue
the suit, with the same result.
194
Information 1
b)
Let us, however, imagine a different distribution of the key
honors.
♠ 76
♥ A Q 10 8 6 4 3
♦ 5
♣ K 10 6
♠ QJ983 N ♠ AK54
♥ 97 ♥ J52
♦ A87 W E ♦ KJ2
♣ Q95 S ♣ A42
♠ 10 2
♥ K
♦ Q 10 9 6 4 3
♣ J873
Lead: ♦5.
trumps, ending with the Queen in hand, and exits with the ♥7
In this case South should follow to the trump tricks in the
opposite order – ♠10, ♠2 – indicating a heart value.
Naturally, we duck. Partner wins the King and returns the ♣8 (!).
The result – two down. Why?
Trick 5 – ♣8, 9, 10, A
Trick 6 – ♣2, 7, Q, K.
Trick 7 – ♥A, 5, ♦6, ♥9
Trick 8 – ♣6, 4, 3!, 5
Trick 9 – ♥Q, J, ♣J, ♠9
On top of everything else, declarer couldn’t escape the diamond
loser.
195
Ducking the ♣10 at the fifth trick, or switching back to hearts

after winning the ♣A, would improve declarer’s result by one
trick. Nonetheless, you can’t blame declarer for clutching at the
straw of the favorable position of the club King.
196
Information 2
INFORMATION 2
S/P is helpful, provided you draw the correct conclusions from
each piece of information in your possession.
W N E S
3♠
3NT Pass…
♠ A
♥ K8763
♦ 9863
♣ Q52
N ♠ 8
♥ J 10 9
W E ♦ Q J 10
S ♣ J 10 9 8 7 4
Lead: ♠A. You get the ♠7 from partner, the ♠3 from West.
Plan the defense.
197
The full hand:
♠ A
♥ K8763
♦ 9863
♣ Q52
♠ J 10 5 3 N ♠ 8
♥ A5 ♥ J 10 9
♦ AK2 W E ♦ Q J 10
♣ AK63 S ♣ J 10 9 8 7 4
♠ KQ97642
♥ Q42
♦ 754
♣ —
Lead: ♠A. You get the ♠7 from partner, the ♠3 from West.
If this can confidently be assumed to be a S/P signal not an
attitude signal, then the seven of spades is a high, although
surely not the highest, card that partner held. It suggests a minor
honor in hearts.
Why in hearts? S/P refers here to two suits only. Clubs, as the
opponents’ potential source of tricks, are excluded.
A competent defender is capable of making good use of correct

information.
If you switch to the ♥K in Trick 2, declarer will be helpless. He
has only eight tricks ready to cash (including one in spades), and
an attempt to establish clubs leads to building a fifth winner for
the defense.
198
Information 3
INFORMATION 3
We are in a position to share information with partner more often
than we realize.
Both vulnerable
W N E S
3♠
4♥ 4♠ 5♥ 5♠
6♥ Pass…
N ♠ 7642
♥ J5
W E ♦ 10 6 5
S ♣ AQJ7
♠ K J 10 9 8 5 3
♥ —
♦ Q942
♣ 94
Lead: ♠A.
Plan the defense.
199
The first trick is a S/P situation. Why?

Let’s say partner will hold the trick (West will follow with the
Queen).
Bearing in mind that the second trick may prove decisive, it is
vital to provide precise information.
1) ♠3 – shows a club value.
2) ♠10 – shows the King or the Ace of diamonds.
3) ♠9 – implies the Queen of diamonds.
4) ♠8, ♠5 – „I have nothing of interest to you”. The ♠J may
play a similar role; as a general rule, signaling the
sequence (KJ10) is neutral and says – “I have nothing else
to show”.
a)
♠ AQ
♥ Q83
♦ K873
♣ K 10 8 5
♠ — N ♠ 7642
♥ A K 10 9 7 6 4 2 ♥ J5
♦ AJ W E ♦ 10 6 5
♣ 632 S ♣ AQJ7
♠ K J 10 9 8 5 3
♥ —
♦ Q942
♣ 94
When partner leads the ♠A, we follow with the ♠9. The
information about the Queen of diamonds may prove helpful.
Failure to shift to diamonds after getting in with the ♥Q exposes
North to the risk of a non-simultaneous double squeeze.
200
Information 3
This is the relevant ending:
♠ —
♥ —
♦ xx
♣ K 10
♠ — N ♠ 7
♥ 7 ♥ —
♦ Ax W E ♦ x
♣ 6 S ♣ A7
♠ K
♥ —
♦ xxx
♣ —
When the last heart is led, both defenders have little choice but to
shed a diamond (a club is thrown from dummy). Now a club to the
Ace forces South to give up the diamond guard. This line of play
is not without its risks, to be sure. If clubs are 3–3, the cold slam
will go down.
Information about the ♦Q – the ♠9 at Trick 1 – was very useful.
Having taken the trump Queen, North exited with the ♦K,
breaking up the squeeze.
201
b)
♠ AQ
♥ Q83
♦ K873
♣ K 10 8 5
♠ — N ♠ 7642
♥ A K 10 9 7 6 4 2 ♥ J5
♦ AQ W E ♦ 10 6 5
♣ 632 S ♣ AQJ7
♠ K J 10 9 8 5 3
♥ —
♦ J942
♣ 94
Lead: ♠A. This time we follow with the ♠J – “I have nothing of

interest for you”.
West ruffs and plays the Ace and a small heart to partner’s
Queen.
Time to lead declarer astray. By following with the ♠10 and the
♠9, we suggest the possession of the ♦K.
Perhaps West will try to combine two chances: the 3–3 club break
and the diamond finesse.
Partner knows right from the start that he can’t expect from us
any help in diamonds.
202
Information 4
INFORMATION 4
It is sometimes necessary to ignore S/P and choose another line of
defense. In other words, partner’s suggestions should never be
treated as a substitute for a thorough analysis.
NS vulnerable
W N E S
1NT Pass…
1NT = 12–14 HCP
N ♠ J 10 6 4
♥ J743
W E ♦ QJ3
S ♣ J8
♠ A95
♥ 10 9
♦ A K 10 2
♣ Q 10 6 5
Lead: ♠7. (2nd from 3/ 4 small). You carefully played the five.
Declarer won the Queen and continued with the ♠K. North
followed with the ♠8, while you held up again. Perforce, you took
the third spade (♠2 from North).
Your plan?
203
Partner is no doubt showing heart values. Nonetheless, instead of

mechanically following his suggestions, you should undertake a
solid analysis.
Based on the opening lead from three small spades, North’s
distribution can be reconstructed as either 3♠=3♥=4♦=3♣ or
3♠=3♥=3♦=4♣. Declarer holds one of the heart honors (probably
the King or the Ace). As a consequence, the heart switch would
result in establishing tricks for the opponents.
Despite partner’s S/P, it is necessary to attack the club suit.
♠ 872
♥ AQ5
♦ 974
♣ K743
♠ KQ3 N ♠ J 10 6 4
♥ K862 ♥ J743
♦ 865 W E ♦ QJ3
♣ A92 S ♣ J8
♠ A95
♥ 10 9
♦ A K 10 2
♣ Q 10 6 5
The order in which we followed to the first two spade tricks – ♠5,
♠9 – was not insignificant, either. It directed partner’s attention
to the minors.
The best declarer can do after winning the third round of clubs
with the Ace is leading a heart towards the jack.
It will not be overly difficult for North to rise with the Queen and
play a diamond through.
This way the defense will come to ten tricks: one spade, two
hearts, four diamonds and three clubs.
204
Information 5
INFORMATION 5
Holding a Yarborough is hardly an incentive to meticulous
signaling.
Nevertheless, we must never cease to provide partner with true
information – something than demands some effort.
W N E S
1♦ Pass
1♠ Dbl Rdbl 2 ♥
2♠ 4♥ 4♠ Pass
Pass Dbl Pass…
Rdbl = three spades
N ♠ AK8
♥ 63
W E ♦ Q J 10 7 6 3
S ♣ K7
♠ 10 9 5 2
♥ 8542
♦ 954
♣ 86
Lead: ♥A, ♥K.
What do you follow with?
205
The full hand:
♠ 3
♥ A K J 10 9
♦ A82
♣ A Q 10 9
♠ QJ764 N ♠ AK8
♥ Q7 ♥ 63
♦ K W E ♦ Q J 10 7 6 3
♣ J5432 S ♣ K7
♠ 10 9 5 2
♥ 8542
♦ 954
♣ 86
Lead: ♥A, ♥K.

From ♥8 5 4 2, South should play the ♥2 (even number of hearts),
followed by the ♥5 (“I have nothing of interest for you”).
Next, partner switches to the Ace and another club, and you
follow with the ♣6 and the ♣8.
When declarer calls for one of dummy’s diamonds, you supply
partner with a clear count signal – the ♦9.
The picture of the entire hand is now complete for North.
Accordingly, he returns a third round of clubs, promoting a trump
trick in your hand.
Nothing special here, just a piece of sound defense, you will say.
No need for any sophisticated signaling.
However, here is what happened at the table (NS being a
generally solid partnership).
Lead: ♥A, ♥K. South sequence of the ♥2, then the ♥4, was
construed as encouraging. North obediently continued the suit.
Declarer ruffed in dummy (pitching a club from his hand) and
exited with a diamond towards the King. North persisted with
206
Information 5
hearts, so West ruffed in hand (throwing a diamond from dummy)

to reach the following position:
♠ 3
♥ 9
♦ 82
♣ A Q 10 9
♠ QJ76 N ♠ AK
♥ — ♥ —
♦ — W E ♦ Q J 10 7
♣ J543 S ♣ K8
♠ 10 9 5 2
♥ —
♦ 54
♣ 86
Now West led a club to the King. North put up the Ace and
shifted back to the fifth heart!!!
Declarer got rid of the club King (!!!) and ruffed in hand. He then
ruffed a club in dummy, pitched the penultimate club on the ♦Q
and executed a trump coup twice.
207
♠ 3
♥ —
♦ 8
♣ Q 10
♠ QJ7 N ♠ A
♥ — ♥ —
♦ — W E ♦ J 10 7
♣ J S ♣ —
♠ 10 9 5 2
♥ —
♦ —
♣ —
In the above ending, West leads a diamond from dummy. When

South inserted the nine of trumps, declarer overruffed, ruffed his
last club in dummy and finished with another successful trump
coup.
208
Information 6
INFORMATION 6
Give partner true information even if you are uncertain what use
he can make of it.
W N E S
2♦ Pass 2NT Pass
2♦ = 7–10 HCP, both majors, at least 5–4
3♥ = 5+♥ – 5♠.
N ♠ A9
♥ 652
W E ♦ A43
S ♣ A Q J 10 9
♠ Q3
♥ 743
♦ 10 8 7 5 2
♣ 754
Lead: ♦K.
Plan the defense.
209
The full hand:
♠ K 10 4 2
♥ AQ
♦ KQJ9
♣ 863
♠ J8765 N ♠ A9
♥ K J 10 9 8 ♥ 652
♦ 6 W E ♦ A43
♣ K2 S ♣ A Q J 10 9
♠ Q3
♥ 743
♦ 10 8 7 5 2
♣ 754
Lead: ♦K.
We should follow with the ♦10.
With five cards to the ten, the natural count signal would be the
second highest (here the ♦8). Playing the ten should be treated as
suit preference for spades. Showing the modest Queen in that
way denies the ♣K. Why? If we held that card, there would be no
need to attack spades.
The bonus trick we are expecting may come from the overruff of
the third spade. Without such an alert signal, North would find it
difficult to underlead the ♠K after getting the lead.
Note that the alternative S/P in trumps wouldn’t be sufficiently

clear.
The ♥4 will hardly persuade partner to switch to spades (and we
can’t afford the ♥7).
210
Information 7
INFORMATION 7
S/P should be used at every opportunity. The earlier, the better.
NS vulnerable
W N E S
1♦ Pass
1NT Pass…
N ♠ J652
♥ A K 10 2
W E ♦ Q 10 9 8
S ♣ A
♠ Q9
♥ J86
♦ AJ65
♣ 9862
Lead: ♠7.
Trick 1 – ♠7, ♠2, ♠9, ♠3
Trick 2 – ♠Q, ♠8, ♠10, ♠5
Plan the defense.
211
♠ A K 10 7 4
♥ 953
♦ K4
♣ 10 4 3
♠ 83 N ♠ J652
♥ Q74 ♥ A K 10 2
♦ 732 W E ♦ Q 10 9 8
♣ KQJ75 S ♣ A
♠ Q9
♥ J86
♦ AJ65
♣ 9862
Lead: ♠7.
Trick 1 – ♠7, ♠2, ♠9, ♠3
Trick 2 – ♠Q, ♠8, ♠10, ♠5
Would partner risk leading the seven from ♠AK107? He usually

cashes the Ace first from such a combination. Therefore, the
opening lead of the ♠7 may well suggests ♠AK1074. If so, the ♠10
in trick 2 should be interpreted as S/P, indicating an honor in the
higher ranking suit. Our choice is between the minors.
The diamond switch means eight tricks for the defenders. The
passive club exit, on the other hand, gives declarer two
overtricks.
212
The Right Time
THE RIGHT TIME

Information should be shared at the right time. One must never
forget about it.
W N E S
1NT
Pass 2♥ 3♦ Pass
3NT Pass…
1NT = 12–14 HCP
2♥ = transfer
♠ J9642
♥ 98
♦ 86
♣ AJ72
N ♠ 10
♥ Q 10 7
W E ♦ A K J 10 7 5
S ♣ Q53
Lead: an uninspired ♠4 as opposed to a club. South takes the Ace

(♠3 from West) and returns the ♠7, to declarer’s King.
Plan the defense.
213
a)
♠ J9642
♥ 98
♦ 86
♣ AJ72
♠ KQ83 N ♠ 10
♥ A653 ♥ Q 10 7
♦ 92 W E ♦ A K J 10 7 5
♣ 864 S ♣ Q53
♠ A75
♥ KJ42
♦ Q43
♣ K 10 9
Lead: ♠4. South takes the Ace (♠3 from West) and returns the ♠7,
to declarer’s King. Winning the King strongly suggests that West
holds the Queen, too. When declarer lets the ♦9 ride in Trick 3, I
(North) follow with the ♦6.
Unfortunately, this signal is unintelligible for my partner. It may

show either a heart value (if made from ♦6 2) or a club value
(from ♦8 6). The problem should thus be dealt with earlier, on the
second spade trick. Rather than the count signal in spades, the
play of the ♠2 should be S/P for clubs. This will allow us to cash
three club winners after getting in with the ♦Q.
214
The Right Time
b)
♠ J9642
♥ A98
♦ 86
♣ J72
♠ KQ83 N ♠ 10
♥ 653 ♥ Q 10 7
♦ 92 W E ♦ A K J 10 7 5
♣ A864 S ♣ Q53
♠ A75
♥ KJ42
♦ Q43
♣ K 10 9
Here, on the second spade trick I drop the nine. We get the spade,
the diamond and four hearts.
c)
♠ J9642
♥ 98
♦ 86
♣ J742
♠ KQ83 N ♠ 10
♥ A653 ♥ Q 10 7
♦ 92 W E ♦ A K J 10 7 5
♣ A86 S ♣ Q53
♠ A75
♥ KJ42
♦ Q43
♣ K 10 9
Finally, on this layout I follow with the ♠6 – a neutral card. I

have nothing to show. Partner wins the Queen and exits
passively in diamonds.
215
LIKE MUSIC 1
Smooth cooperation between defenders is the prerequisite of the
effective S/P signaling.
Suit preference is like music.
NS vulnerable
W N E S
1♣ Pass 1 ♠ Pass
1NT Pass…
N ♠ K 10 9 8
♥ Q6
W E ♦ Q6
S ♣ K 10 9 8 2
♠ Q2
♥ A8542
♦ K873
♣ 76
Lead: ♦2. Declarer calls for dummy’s Queen. You win the King
and return the ♦3.
Partner takes the ♦9 and cashes the Ace.
Plan the defense.
216
Like Music 1
The full hand:
♠ A753
♥ 10 9 7
♦ AJ92
♣ 54
♠ J64 N ♠ K 10 9 8
♥ KJ3 ♥ Q6
♦ 10 5 4 W E ♦ Q6
♣ AQJ3 S ♣ K 10 9 8 2
♠ Q2
♥ A8542
♦ K873
♣ 76
Lead: ♦2. Declarer calls for dummy’s Queen. You win the King
and return the ♦3.
Partner takes the ♦9 and cashes the Ace, indicating the
possession of the ♠A.
Why?
Note that the play of the diamond Queen from dummy at the
opening trick placed the Jack in the North hand. The choice
between cashing the Ace and the Jack carries S/P connotations.
You should cooperate by following with the ♦8 – a suggestion of
your interest in the spade suit, too.
When North shifts to a low spade, declarer is doomed, even if he
guesses to put up the King.
The defenders carefully preserved their communication in

diamonds.
217
LIKE MUSIC 2
Suit preference is also like musicin, that it varies considerably,
depending on the interpretation.
NS vulnerable
W N E S
1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass
N ♠ J 10 9 8
♥ A Q J 10
W E ♦ KJ6
S ♣ 92
♠ 72
♥ 8654
♦ Q73
♣ A876
Lead: ♠6.
Plan the defense.
218
Like Music 2
The full hand:

a)
♠ A63
♥ 972
♦ A942
♣ 10 5 4
♠ KQ54 N ♠ J 10 9 8
♥ K3 ♥ A Q J 10
♦ 10 8 5 W E ♦ KJ6
♣ KQ83 S ♣ 92
♠ 72
♥ 8654
♦ Q73
♣ AJ76
Lead: ♠6.
The spade six is the highest trump spot outstanding. According to
our agreements, it shows values in the higher-ranking suit, i.e.
diamonds. We ought to cooperate with partner by following with
the seven.
When declarer returns trumps, partner will win the Ace and
switch to a low diamond.
Now it will be all up to declarer.
Rising with the King won’t give him an overtrick.
Playing low producs one down
219
b)
♠ A63
♥ 972
♦ 942
♣ K 10 5 4
♠ KQ54 N ♠ J 10 9 8
♥ K3 ♥ A Q J 10
♦ A 10 8 5 W E ♦ KJ6
♣ Q83 S ♣ 92
♠ 72
♥ 8654
♦ Q73
♣ AJ76
Lead: ♠3.
This time the opening lead card is the lowest trump spot. We
cooperate by signaling club values with the ♠2.
In with the ♠A, partner will decide to cash two club tricks.
Why didn’t West open 1♦? It is becoming more and more popular
to open 1♦ with a 5-card suit (or 4-card with unbalanced
distribution) only.
This is based on the camouflage principle.
220
Cooperation 1
COOPERATION 1
The ability to make life easier for partner is one of the great
virtues of a good defender.
W N E S
1♣ 1♥ 3♣ Pass
3NT Pass…
3♣ = 9–11PC with +5♣
N ♠ 9
♥ K 10 6
W E ♦ K53
S ♣ A J 10 9 4 2
♠ KJ32
♥ 3
♦ J 10 9 4
♣ K853
Lead: ♥Q. Declarer won the Ace and let the ♣Q ride.
Partner shed the ♥9.
Plan the defense.
221
The full hand:
♠ A 10 7 4
♥ QJ9852
♦ 872
♣ —
♠ Q865 N ♠ 9
♥ A74 ♥ K 10 6
♦ AQ6 W E ♦ K53
♣ Q76 S ♣ A J 10 9 4 2
♠ KJ32
♥ 3
♦ J 10 9 4
♣ K853
Lead: ♥Q. Declarer won the Ace and let the ♣Q ride.
Partner shed the ♥9, hinting at his interest in spades.
You won the club with the King and, in a display of flawless
technique, switched to the Jack of spades.
West covered with the Queen, but partner won the Ace and…
shifted to diamonds.
The spade Jack was the only card that guaranteed defeating the
contract – alas, partner did not get the message.
The guide-dog would duck the first club with the ♣8 (spade
values), win the next one and only then would he exit with the
♠J. Now the problem would become a piece of cake from North’s
perspective.
222
Cooperation 2
COOPERATION 2
Defending gets really fascinating sometimes.
None vulnerable
W N E S
1♣ 1♥
1♠ 3♠ 4♥ Pass
4♠ 5♥ Pass Pass
5♠ Dbl Pass…
3♠ = splinter
N ♠ AQ65
♥ —
W E ♦ A K 10 8
S ♣ 98653
♠ 874
♥ K Q 10 4 3
♦ Q92
♣ Q2
Lead: ♥A. West ruffs, while you follow with the ♥10, showing
some diamond values.
Declarer leads a club towards the King in hand. North wins the
Ace and, fulfilling your wishes, switches to the ♦5. This is taken
with dummy’s Ace and another club is played. In with the ♣Q,
how do you continue?
223
a) North follows with the ♣10.
♠ 10
♥ A98762
♦ J65
♣ A J 10
♠ KJ932 N ♠ AQ65
♥ J5 ♥ —
♦ 743 W E ♦ A K 10 8
♣ K74 S ♣ 98653
♠ 874
♥ K Q 10 4 3
♦ Q92
♣ Q2
with dummy’s Ace and another club is played to your ♣Q. Partner
follows with the ♣10.
The distribution of the club suit seems clear: W ♣K74, N ♣AJ10.
If so, the ten should be construed as S/P. Partner is asking us for
the diamond shift. We duly underlead the Queen and declarer
captures North’s Jack in dummy.
224
Cooperation 2
Here is the ending:
♠ 10
♥ 98762
♦ 6
♣ J
♠ KJ932 N ♠ AQ6
♥ J ♥ —
♦ 7 W E ♦ 10 8
♣ 7 S ♣ 986
♠874
♥KQ43
♦Q
♣
Declarer is helpless. Say he concedes the diamond. South wins

and exits in trumps.
West can’t ruff a heart and pitch his club loser on the last
diamond – South’s third spade prevents this. Down two is a well-
deserved reward for excellent defensive cooperation.
225
b) This time North follows with the ♣J.
♠ 10
♥ A98762
♦ 543
♣ A J 10
♠ KJ932 N ♠ AQ65
♥ J5 ♥ —
♦ J76 W E ♦ A K 10 8
♣ K74 S ♣ 98653
♠ 874
♥ K Q 10 4 3
♦ Q92
♣ Q2
with dummy’s Ace and another club is played to your ♣Q. Partner
follows with the ♣J.
In this case there is no reason to shift to diamonds. North’s play
of the Jack is either from the original holding of AJ, or a SP
signal (from original AJ10) discouraging the diamond return.
226
Cooperation 3
COOPERATION 3
Cooperation may bring about an unexpected change of
preferences.
Rarely as it happens, it is possible to redirect partner’s attention
from one suit to another.
Both vulnerable
W N E S
1♥ Pass 1NT Pass
2♥ Pass…
N ♠ J83
♥ K7
W E ♦ 10 8 7 2
S ♣ Q 10 9 2
♠ 96542
♥ 65
♦ KQJ
♣ K76
Lead: ♠A.
Defensive opportunities unfold during the play of the hand.
You start with the „two in one” ♠9 – signaling count with the
highest card ( from 5 cards) often suggests interest in the higher-
ranking of the two remaining suits. West follows with the ♠10.
North continues with a low spade. By playing the ♠2, you are
suggesting club values. When declarer wins and exits with the
trump ten, partner follows with the ♥2.
What now?
227
The full hand:
♠ A7
♥ A32
♦ 9643
♣ AJ85
♠ K Q 10 N ♠ J83
♥ Q J 10 9 8 4 ♥ K7
♦ A5 W E ♦ 10 8 7 2
♣ 43 S ♣ Q 10 9 2
♠ 96542
♥ 65
♦ KQJ
♣ K76
Lead: ♠A.
You start with the „two in one” ♠9 – signaling count with the
highest card often suggests interest in the higher-ranking of the
two remaining suits. West follows with the ♠10.
North continues with a low spade. By playing the ♠2, you are
suggesting club values. When declarer wins and exits with the
trump ten, partner follows with the ♥2. This shows the Ace of
clubs. You are confirming club values – by playing the ♥5 and
then the ♥6, as North wins the Ace.
Partner reaches you via clubs for the spade ruffs. One down.
228
The Suggested Line of Defence 1
THE SUGGESTED LINE OF DEFENCE 1

The bidding was neither particularly scientific nor overly precise,
but it fulfilled the requirement of camouflage.
W N E S
1♠ Pass 4♠ Pass...
N ♠ A53
♥ 3
W E ♦ K32
S ♣ Q J 10 8 6 4
♠ K4
♥ K982
♦ 10 9 7 4
♣ K95
Lead: ♥Q, won by declarer’s Ace – you play ♥2 –suit preference

for clubs.
Next comes the heart ruff – both defenders follow with their
lowest spots, expressing interest in the club suit.
Now West plays the ♠A and another spade to your King.
What next?
229
a)
♠ J86
♥ Q J 10 7 6 4
♦ 86
♣ A7
♠ Q 10 9 7 2 N ♠ A53
♥ A5 ♥ 3
♦ AQJ5 W E ♦ K32
♣ 32 S ♣ Q J 10 8 6 4
♠ K4
♥ K982
♦ 10 9 7 4
♣ K95
Lead: ♥Q, won by declarer’s Ace.

Next comes the heart ruff – both defenders follow with their
lowest spots, expressing interest in the club suit.
Now West plays the ♠A and another spade to your King.
When signaling in hearts, North showed the ♣A. When following
to trumps, he should suggest a line of defense. The low-high order
(♠6, ♠8) will confirm the interest in clubs, i.e. the possible
promotion of the trump Jack.
230
b)
Let us, however, switch the Jacks (in spades and diamonds) in
the North and West hands.
♠ 10 8 6
♥ Q J 10 7 6 4
♦ J6
♣ A7
♠ QJ972 N ♠ A53
♥ A5 ♥ 3
♦ AQ85 W E ♦ K32
♣ 32 S ♣ Q J 10 8 6 4
♠ K4
♥ K982
♦ 10 9 7 4
♣ K95
Now the high-low order of the trump spots (♠8, ♠6) should draw
our attention away from clubs in favor of the forcing defense.
231
Here is the end position:
♠ 10
♥ J 10 7 6
♦ J6
♣ A7
♠ QJ9 N ♠ —
♥ — ♥ —
♦ AQ85 W E ♦ K32
♣ 32 S ♣ Q J 10 8 6 4
♠ —
♥ K9
♦ 10 9 7 4
♣ K95
In with the ♠K, South exits with a heart. Declarer ruffs, draws
trumps and switches to clubs. Now South must win this trick and
force declarer again with another heart. From this point the
contract can no longer be made.
232
THE SUGGESTED LINE OF DEFENCE 2

Whenever partner’s signal suggests a line of defense that is
different from the routine one, we ought to carefully analyze the
whole defensive situation.
W N E S
1♠ Pass 1NT 2♥
3♦ Pass 3♠ Dbl
Pass…
N ♠ 76
♥ K872
W E ♦ Q65
S ♣ A874
♠ A8
♥ AQJ963
♦ 3
♣ K J 10 2
Lead: ♥10. Dummy and you both ducked. Declarer ruffed the
second heart, crossed to dummy with the ♦Q and led a trump.
You rose with the Ace, declarer followed with the ♠3, and partner
– the ♠2.
Plan the defense.
233
The full hand:
♠ 10 9 5 2
♥ 10 4
♦ J 10 8 7
♣ Q95
♠ KQJ43 N ♠ 76
♥ 5 ♥ K872
♦ AK942 W E ♦ Q65
♣ 63 S ♣ A874
♠ A8
♥ AQJ963
♦ 3
♣ K J 10 2
Lead: ♥10. Dummy and you both ducked. Declarer ruffed the
second heart, crossed to dummy with the ♦Q and played a trump.
You rose with the Ace, declarer followed with the ♠3, and partner
– the ♠2.
It looks only natural to shift to a low heart for partner to ruff,

expecting to get the diamond ruff in return and hoping that the
Ace of hearts continuation will result in some trump promotion.
Nonetheless, partner strongly suggests the club switch (♠2).
The play of a low heart at Trick five proved fatal for the
defenders. All they could get was three trump tricks and a heart.
After South’s club switch at Trick five, according to North’s

suggestion, the contract was doomed.
234
Precision
PRECISION
Every card may mean something.
W N E S
1NT Pass 2♣ Pass
2♥ Pass 3NT Pass…
1NT = 12–14 HCP
N ♠ Q873
♥ A2
W E ♦ KQ53
S ♣ J64
♠ K 10 9 2
♥ K874
♦ 10 9 7
♣ Q5
Lead: ♣2. You put up the Queen, but West wins the Ace and plays
the ♥Q. Partner follows with the ♥3.
Declarer overtakes with the Ace and continues hearts. North
gives you the ♥6 and the ♥4 on the second and third heart tricks,
as you take your King eventually.
Plan the defense.
235
a) Declarer holds the Jack of diamonds.
♠ AJ6
♥ 653
♦ 864
♣ K 10 8 2
♠ 54 N ♠ Q873
♥ Q J 10 9 ♥ A2
♦ AJ2 W E ♦ KQ53
♣ A973 S ♣ J64
♠ K 10 9 2
♥ K874
♦ 10 9 7
♣ Q5
Lead: ♣2. You put up the Queen, but West wins the Ace and plays
the ♥Q. Partner follows with the ♥3.
Declarer overtakes with the Ace and continues hearts. North
gives you the ♥6 and the ♥4 on the second and third heart tricks,
as you take your King eventually.
1) The ♥3 showed the ♣K-10. Without the ten partner would
not be inclined to stress clubs in such manner.
2) The ♥6 meant a spade value. We should express our
interest in spades, too, by following high-low (♥8, ♥4), just
in case.
The potentially communication-breaking diamond shift seems to
be the obvious continuation after getting in with the ♥K.
If West holds the ♦J, he will win the trick with this card and play
a club. Partner will hop up with the King and we will proceed to
cashing four spades.
236
Precision
b) West holds the Jack of spades
♠ A65
♥ 653
♦ J84
♣ K 10 8 2
♠ J4 N ♠ Q873
♥ Q J 10 9 ♥ A2
♦ A62 W E ♦ KQ53
♣ A763 S ♣ J64
♠ K 10 9 2
♥ K874
♦ 10 9 7
♣ Q5
If, however, the ♦J is in our partner’s possession, the diamond

switch will serve as a classic attack on declarer’s entries.
1) If West wins in hand and cashes the fourth heart, he will
squeeze dummy (one spade was already released on the
previous heart).
2) If he wins in dummy instead, there is no sensible
continuation.
We must not settle for this neat analysis, though.

There remains one more scenario to consider.
237
c) If West holds both Jacks…
♠ A65
♥ 653
♦ 842
♣ K 10 8 2
♠ J4 N ♠ Q873
♥ Q J 10 9 ♥ A2
♦ AJ2 W E ♦ KQ53
♣ A973 S ♣ J64
♠ K 10 9 2
♥ K874
♦ 10 9 7
♣ Q5
... the idea of the diamond attack against his communication will
fail.
Declarer will take the Jack and play a club towards the Jack. The
defense will be helpless.
238
Precision
Recall the ending:
♠ A65
♥ —
♦ 842
♣ K 10 8
♠ J4 N ♠ Q87
♥ 9 ♥ —
♦ AJ2 W E ♦ KQ53
♣ 973 S ♣ J6
♠ K 10 9 2
♥ 7
♦ 10 9 7
♣ 5
The killing defense here is to return the fourth heart.

In this case South, a defender, will execute a squeeze – a rarity,
indeed. Declarer has no idle card to throw from dummy.
Such hands demonstrate the power of suit preference. Precise

information shared by means of the heart spots facilitates sharp
analysis and the ensuing killing defense.
239
MULTIPLE
Sometimes you have to repeat your suggestions to change
partner’s routine ways.
None vulnerable
W N E S
1♠ Pass 2NT Pass
4♠ Pass…
♠ J7
♥ K 10 5 3 2
♦ 10 4
♣ Q J 10 9
N ♠ K852
♥ 84
W E ♦ AJ82
S ♣ K86
Lead: ♣Q. Declarer won in hand (♣5 from South). He drew

trumps (finding them 2–2), cashed the ♥A, crossed to dummy
with the ♣K and ruffed a heart. Finally, he exited with the third
club to your ten.
You are on lead in the following ending:
♠ —
♥ K 10 5
♦ 10 4
♣ J
N ♠ 85
♥ —
W E ♦ AJ82
S ♣ —
What will you play?
240
Multiple
You quickly work out declarer’s distribution as 5♠1♥4♦3♣. The

conclusion – instead of assisting him in guessing the diamond
suit, it is better to exit in hearts or clubs. One ruff and sluff will
do declarer no good.
This is true, but only in part.
a)
♠ J7
♥ K 10 5 3 2
♦ 10 4
♣ Q J 10 9
♠ A Q 10 9 6 ♠ K852
♥ A ♥ 84
♦ K953 ♦ AJ82
♣ A74 ♣ K86
♠ 43
♥ QJ976
♦ Q76
♣ 532
241
You would be right on this layout.

But the reality turned out to be more exciting.
b) The actual ending was slightly different.
♠ —
♥ K 10 2
♦ 10 4
♣ J
♠ 10 9 N ♠ K8
♥ — ♥ —
♦ 9653 W E ♦ AJ82
♣ — S ♣ —
♠ —
♥ QJ6
♦ KQ7
♣ —
When North played a club (or heart), declarer discarded a

diamond from dummy, ruffed in hand and led a small diamond to
the eight, endplaying South.
This is the textbook example of a loss of concentration by the

defenders caused by fast and confident declarer play. South had
an opportunity to signal his diamond values in all the remaining
suits: spades, hearts and clubs.
In fact, triple S/P for one suit was possible.
It is, no doubt, a record. From my long experience, for many a
scatterbrained defender the last S/P is the most important. Here,
they would get in with the ♣10, notice some problem and focus
their attention again on this trick. Not all of them are able to
recall the spots from the previous trick.
If we remember that partner followed with the ♣5 and ♣2 on the
second and third club tricks, we may infer that he holds the
242
Multiple
♦K-Q. We play a diamond through. Partner wins the Queen and

exits with a heart. We are entitled to one more diamond trick.
The category of “scatterbrained defenders”, I must admit,
occasionally includes myself. I can remember momentary lapses
of concentration and the desperate hope that partner’s last
signals will guide me into the right track.
243
CONVINCING
Sometimes a technically correct play misleads partner as to the
location of our honors. It requires a lot of effort to set the record
straight.
In such situations it’s no time for subtleties. S/P must be
convincing.
None vulnerable
W N E S
1♦ Pass
3NT Pass…
N ♠ K62
♥ 832
W E ♦ A K Q 10 3
S ♣ 63
♠ A875
♥ 10 9 7 5
♦ 85
♣ AQ2
Lead: ♣5. In a display of supreme technique, we insert the Queen

rather than the ace, to protect communications in the suit, at the
first trick.
Declarer wins the King and runs diamonds.
Partner follows with the ♦4 and the ♦6.
Plan your discards.
244
Convincing
The full hand:
♠ Q43
♥ Q64
♦ 64
♣ J8754
♠ J 10 9 N ♠ K62
♥ AKJ ♥ 832
♦ J972 W E ♦ A K Q 10 3
♣ K 10 9 S ♣ 63
♠ A875
♥ 10 9 7 5
♦ 85
♣ AQ2
The task is by no means easy. For the obvious reasons, we

concealed the location of the club honors on the opening trick.
“I signal with the ♦8 and the ♦5 to show the ♠A, and throw the
♣A on the third diamond!” – proudly announced one of my
students.
Uncontrolled „assistance” for partner may cause disaster.
Admittedly, partner will initially read the low-high in diamonds
(♦5, ♦8) as a S/P for the lower of the two remaining suits, i.e.
hearts.
As a consequence, the discard on the third round of diamonds
must be really convincing.
The ♥10 should, in my opinion, serve the purpose. It will show
the key value in spades, hence explaining that the previous
diamond signals referred to clubs, not hearts
Did you notice that North must part with all three spades when
the diamonds are being cashed?
Notice further that declarer could have put North under pressure
by playing the third round of diamonds from his hand.
245
S/P AS A TRAP-AVOIDANCE MEASURE

Protecting partner against cunning opponents is among your
duties. The following pseudo-scientific auction led to the spade
slam.
W N E S
1♦ Pass
1♠ Pass 2NT Pass
3♥ Pass 4♣ Pass
4♦ Pass 6♠ Pass…
2NT – game forcing
N ♠ Q J 10
♥ A
W E ♦ A Q J 10 9 6 4
S ♣ A4
♠ A753
♥ KJ4
♦ 3
♣ Q 10 7 6 2
Lead: ♣3. Declarer won dummy’s Ace, as you signalled count with
the ten. Next he cashed the ♦A, dropping the King from his hand,
and continued with the ♦Q.
You ruffed, West overruffed, crossed to dummy in hearts and led
another diamond honor. After another ruff and overruff, declarer
went back to dummy with a heart ruff. In the ensuing end
position…:
246
S/P – A Systematic Approach
N ♠ QJ
♥ —
W E ♦ 10 9 6 4
S ♣ 4
♠ A7
♥ K
♦ —
♣ Q 10 6 2
…declarer played the fourth round of diamonds. What should we

do?
247
a)
If West has:
♠98642
♥Q9865
♦K
♣K8
we must not ruff diamonds low for the third time, because the
next thing we know our ♠A will be appearing on the same trick as
our partner’s ♠K
b)
If, on the other hand, declarer has:
♠K9864
♥Q9865
♦K
♣J8
it is necessary to ruff the fourth diamond, too, with a trump spot.
The bidding (the 4♦ cue-bid) strongly suggests the scenario b).
248
Here are the four hands:
♠ K
♥ 10 7 3 2
♦ 8752
♣ J953
♠ 98642 N ♠ Q J 10
♥ Q9865 ♥ A
♦ K W E ♦ A Q J 10 9 6 4
♣ K8 S ♣ A4
♠ A753
♥ KJ4
♦ 3
♣ Q 10 7 6 2
Fortunately, S/P comes to our rescue.

a) North should initially direct partner’s attention towards
the heart suit. He should follow to diamonds in decreasing
order – 8, 7, 5, 2 – to deny the King of clubs.
b) Conversely, the increasing order of the diamond spots – 2,
5, 7, 8 – should confirm the possession of the ♣K and
persuade partner to ruff the fourth diamond.
249
S/P – A SYSTEMATIC APPROACH

Skilful spot management creates a host of opportunities.
S/P can be nuanced.
1) Clear S/P
2) Delicate S/P
3) Subtle S/P
How often may this nuanced approach be useful?
From time to time, but it costs nothing, save for a little effort and
concentration.
W N E S
1♥ Pass 3 ♥
3♠ 4♥ 4♠ Pass
Pass 5♦ Dbl Pass
Pass 5♥ 5♠ Pass
Pass Dbl Pass…
3♥ = preemptive
♠ K32
♥ AK7653
♦ A K 10
♣ 3
N ♠ Q95
♥ 4
W E ♦ QJ74
S ♣ AJ976
Lead: ♦A. Partner follows with the ♦2 – an even number of cards.

You decided to switch to the ♣3 (♣5 from South), won by West’s
ten.
250
He continues with the Ace and another trump. You jump up with
the ♠K (South discards the ♦6).
When you cash the ♦K, partner follows with the ♦5 (from the
original holding of ♦9652).
The question is: what does South have in hearts?
The full hand:
♠ K32
♥ AK7653
♦ A K 10
♣ 3
♠ A J 10 8 7 4 N ♠ Q95
♥ J ♥ 4
♦ 83 W E ♦ QJ74
♣ K Q 10 2 S ♣ AJ976
♠ 6
♥ Q 10 9 8 2
♦ 9652
♣ 854
S/P can be ordered in a sensible way. Here is how South should

signal the respective heart values.
1) With ♥A(K)xxxx he should throw the ♦9 – the highest
diamond spot. It is a clear S/P signal: “I hold and
important heart honor (the King or the Ace)”
2) With ♥Qxxxx he should discard the ♦6 on the second
trump trick – a delicate S/P. The second highest diamond
shows the Queen of hearts.
True, not all the diamond spots are known at this point,
but the situation will clarify as soon as the ♦K is cashed
(South will follow with the ♦5).
251
Note that if North held ♦AKxx – and, therefore, would not

be able to cash the King – he would already know
partner’s complete diamond combination.
3) With ♥Jxxxx he should signal with the ♦5 on the second
spade trick – a subtle S/P.
The lowest of the remaining diamond spots shows the
Jack of hearts.
4) With ♥xxxxx he should throw his highest heart – a clear
S/P signal denying any heart honor whatsoever.
Scenario 2) answers the question about South’s heart holding.
Isn’t this „expansion” of signals pushed a bit too far, though?

Well, the sequence is coherent and logical. How often will such a
detailed agreement be useful?
Variations on this theme are my favorite exercise of analytical
skills.
252
NS vulnerable
W N E S
1♥ Pass 3 ♥
3♠ 4♥ 4♠ Pass
Pass 6♥ Pass Pass
6♠ Dbl Pass…
3♥ = an overly aggressive pre-empt
6♥ = North detected the spade shortness in partner’s hand
♠ A32
♥ AKQ653
♦ A K 10
♣ 3
♠ K J 10 8 7 4 N ♠ Q95
♥ 10 ♥ 4
♦ 83 W E ♦ QJ74
♣ K Q 10 2 S ♣ AJ976
♠ 6
♥ J9872
♦ 9652
♣ 854
Lead: ♦A. Partner follows with the ♦2 – an even number of cards.

You decided to shift to the ♣3 (♣5 from South), won by West’s ten.
He continues with a spade to the Queen and another spade to
your Ace (South discards the ♦5).
When you cash the ♦K, partner follows with the ♦6 (from the
original holding of ♦9652).
The question is: what does South have in hearts?
253
According to my proposition of „expanded” signals – South holds

the ♥J.
With ♥109762 South should discard the ♥10.
What for?
If North had the following hand (the opening bid would probably
be different, but the logic of the action does not change):.
♠A32
♥AKQJ53
♦ A K 10
♣3
the discard of the ♥10 will allow North to reach his partner via
hearts to execute the ruff.
254
Repeated
REPEATED
You think you have told partner the whole story already. Great,
then do it again – it will do you no harm.
W N E S
1♥
2♦ 3♥ Dbl Rdbl
4♦ Pass…
N ♠ K J 10
♥ J4
W E ♦ Q76
S ♣ A J 10 8 7
♠ A
♥ K Q 10 9 2
♦ K94
♣ K962
Lead: ♥7. West took your nine with the Ace and returned another
heart (♥3 from North). You win and cash the ♠A, getting the ♠2
from partner.
Plan the defense.
255
♠ 865432
♥ 8753
♦ J
♣ Q4
♠ Q97 N ♠ K J 10
♥ A6 ♥ J4
♦ A 10 8 5 3 2 W E ♦ Q76
♣ 53 S ♣ A J 10 8 7
♠ A
♥ K Q 10 9 2
♦ K94
♣ K962
Lead: ♥7. West took your nine with the Ace and returned another
heart (♥3 from North). You win and cash the ♠A, getting the ♠2
from partner.
The meaning of the heart signal is debatable. The second round
signal may be either S/P or count. True, the bidding strongly
suggests North’s holding four hearts, but there are no
guarantees. North played the ♥3, indicating – quite clearly, as he
thought – the Queen of clubs, but it can’t cost to confirm the
signal in spades.
In spades, S/P is unambiguous. By following with the two,
partner reassures you about the ♣Q.
In view of this information we should switch to the ♣K in Trick 4.
No need to worry about the Queen being singleton. In that case
partner would lead clubs, not hearts in the first place.
Why is it necessary to lead the King of clubs?
If we chose the little club instead, declarer would win partner’s
Queen in dummy and switch to the ♦Q. All the top honors would
appear in this trick. Before long, you would find yourself
endplayed with the ♣K, forced to let declarer in to dummy.
256
Repeated
b) Let’s imagine a slightly different location of the honors:
♠ Q86532
♥ 8753
♦ 2
♣ 43
♠ 974 N ♠ K J 10
♥ A6 ♥ J4
♦ A J 10 8 5 3 W E ♦ Q76
♣ Q5 S ♣ A J 10 8 7
♠ A
♥ K Q 10 9 2
♦ K94
♣ K962
Here North should follow with the ♥8 on the second heart trick,
and with the highest spade spot when the ♠A is cashed. This way
he would persuade South to exit passively in diamonds.
257
A DILEMMA
The syndrome of the last S/P comes up more often than you might
expect.
Sometimes it’s three in one: suit preference, substitute count and
honor maneuvering.
W N E S
2NT Pass…
♠ KJ943
♥ A3
♦ Q5
♣ A Q 10 4
N ♠ 62
♥ J 10 7
W E ♦ 10 8 3 2
S ♣ 9862
Lead: ♠4. Declarer captures South’s Queen with the Ace and
plays a heart towards dummy.
We hold up and win the next heart with the Ace. South follows
with the ♥5 and ♥6.
Plan the defense.
258
A Dilemma
♠ KJ943
♥ A3
♦ Q5
♣ A Q 10 4
♠ A5 N ♠ 62
♥ KQ982 ♥ J 10 7
♦ AK6 W E ♦ 10 8 3 2
♣ KJ5 S ♣ 9862
♠ Q 10 8 7
♥ 654
♦ J974
♣ 73
Lead: ♠4. Declarer captures South’s Queen with the Ace and
plays a heart towards dummy.
We hold up and win the next heart with the Ace. South follows
with the ♥5 and ♥6.
The key piece of information is the layout of the spade suit. Since
South cannot signal directly, he is obliged to give a substitute
count, showing (originally) an even number of spades.
Note that South’s sequence – ♥5, ♥6 – was a subtle preparation to
show a stopper in the higher of the remaining suits (diamonds).
This would become obvious on the third round of hearts, when
South played the ♥4.
After getting in with the ♥A, North may use his spade honors to
tell partner which suit he ought to switch to.
So where is the „dilemma”?
259
In the following ending:
♠ K93
♥ —
♦ Q5
♣ A Q 10 4
♠ — N ♠ —
♥ K98 ♥ J
♦ AK6 W E ♦ 10 8 3 2
♣ KJ5 S ♣ 9862
♠ 10 8
♥ 4
♦ J974
♣ 73
1) North, having cashed the ♠J, exits with the ♠3. This way
he demands from South, who is now left with ♠108, some
intellectual effort, i.e. winning the ♠8, not the ♠10. The
ten should be kept as the second entry, necessary to
repeat the play of a club through declarer.
2) North cashes the ♠J and continues with the ♠9. South
routinely overtakes with the ten – it is easier than
ducking the eight – and … switches to diamonds. Why
diamonds? The syndrome of the „last S/P” takes its toll.
According to South, his partner could have exited with the
nine or the three.
Consequently, South reasoned, the nine suggests
diamonds. That the Jack was cashed, not the King – he
has long forgotten.
260
Misleading
MISLEADING
Do not overuse S/P. A clever declarer may turn your efforts to his
advantage.
W N E S
Pass Pass Pass
1♥ 2♦ 3♦ Dbl
3♥ Pass…
♠ 10 4 3
♥ QJ
♦ K Q 10 9 4 3
♣ K5
N ♠ AJ2
♥ K53
W E ♦ J2
S ♣ J9742
Lead: ♦K. South overtakes with the Ace and returns another
diamond. West follows with the ♦5 and the ♦8.
Plan the defense.
261
♠ 10 4 3
♥ QJ
♦ K Q 10 9 4 3
♣ K5
♠ K75 N ♠ AJ2
♥ A8742 ♥ K53
♦ 875 W E ♦ J2
♣ A6 S ♣ J9742
♠ Q986
♥ 10 9 6
♦ A6
♣ Q 10 8 3
I trust partner. With ♦Axx, he would have signalled count

instead of overtaking.
I carefully continue with the ♦9, indicating club values. Declarer
discards a spade from dummy and partner… ruffs.
You can’t always signal with spots safely.

Sometimes partner is unable to show his values in the other
suits, because declarer may outmaneuver defenders, just like he
did in this case. Here the ♦10 on the third round of the suit
means nothing but possession of that card.
262
Typical 1
TYPICAL 1
With time, S/P becomes routine and helps solve defensive
problems without unnecessary analytical effort.
NS vulnerable
W N E S
1♥ Pass 2 ♥ Pass
4♥ Pass…
♠ J9832
♥ A8
♦ A9
♣ J 10 6 5
N ♠ 10 7 4
♥ Q96
W E ♦ J 10 8
S ♣ A942
Lead: ♠3. West wins partner’s King with the Ace and cashes the
♣K and the ♣Q.
South follows with the ♣8 and the ♣7.
Next declarer switches to trumps.
Plan the defense.
263
♠ J9832
♥ A8
♦ A9
♣ J 10 6 5
♠ AQ65 N ♠ 10 7 4
♥ K J 10 7 5 ♥ Q96
♦ K2 W E ♦ J 10 8
♣ KQ S ♣ A942
♠ K
♥ 432
♦ Q76543
♣ 873
Lead: ♠3. West wins partner’s King with the Ace and cashes the
♣K and the ♣Q.
South follows with the ♣8 and the ♣7.
Next declarer switches to trumps.
Many pairs understood the first club as S/P. It would make sense
assuming declarer was unblocking the stiff ♣K.
For the count signal fans: the ♣8 was count, the ♣7 – S/P. The
only reasonable interpretation is that South has a singleton
spade.
Given this understanding, it is relatively easy to rise with the Ace
and give partner two ruffs.
Note that the ♥4 on the first trump trick is by no means a
sufficiently clear S/P for spades.
264
Typical 2
TYPICAL 2
The opportunity to use S/P occurs frequently. To my surprise,
even great partnerships fail to take full advantage of it.
W N E S
2♥
4♠ 5♥ 5♠ Pass
Pass Dbl Pass…
2♥ = weak in ♥.
♠ A
♥ Q 10 8 7 5
♦ 8754
♣ AQ9
N ♠ 98
♥ 2
W E ♦ A K Q J 10 3
S ♣ J 10 7 4
Lead: ♥7. Declarer takes South’s King with the Ace and cashes
two rounds of diamonds, shedding a club from hand.
The third diamond is ruffed by partner. Declarer overruffs and
exits with a trump.
Plan the defense.
265
♠ A
♥ Q 10 8 7 5
♦ 8754
♣ AQ9
♠ K Q J 10 7 6 4 N ♠ 98
♥ A ♥ 2
♦ 2 W E ♦ A K Q J 10 3
♣ 8653 S ♣ J 10 7 4
♠ 532
♥ KJ9643
♦ 96
♣ K2
Lead: ♥7. Declarer takes South’s King with the Ace and cashes
two rounds of diamonds, shedding a club from hand.
The third diamond is ruffed by partner. Declarer overruffs and
exits with a trump.
This hand from the semi-final of the 1998 USA International

Trials shows how it is possible to cherish your partner and cover
up his errors.
Bob Hamman (he is defending 4S) saw the necessity of shifting to
a club, but made the inferior play of the ♣A. Soloway unblocked
the King and 4♠ went one down.
Lazard, defending against 5♠, led hearts and declarer played a
spade. Lazard won and cashed the ♣A. Bramley followed with the
♣2 – unluckily for him, he was playing standard signals. Now
Lazard tried to give his partner a diamond ruff.
There is basic information missing in the description of the

problem. How did South handle the trump spots? If he ruffed the
266
Typical 2
third diamond with the ♠2 and then followed with the ♠3, he was
showing a club value. It should now be easy to underlead the
♣A-Q.
Diamonds could be used to signal the location of honors, too.
South should follow from the bottom up (♦6, ♦9).
267
TYPICAL 3
You should grasp every opportunity to send partner important
information.
W N E S
1♣ Pass 1 ♥ Pass
2♣ Pass…
♠ AJ8
♥ J53
♦ J 10 5
♣ KJ97
N ♠ 10 7 5
♥ AQ986
W E ♦ Q987
S ♣ 2
Lead: ♦J – Queen, King, Ace. Declarer returns the ♦3. You rise
with the ten, partner following with the ♦6.
Plan the defense.
268
Typical 3
♠ AJ8
♥ J53
♦ J 10 5
♣ KJ92
♠ 9643 N ♠ 10 7 5
♥ K ♥ AQ986
♦ A3 W E ♦ Q987
♣ A Q 10 8 6 5 S ♣ 7
♠ KQ2
♥ 10 7 4 2
♦ K642
♣ 43
Lead: ♦J – Queen, King, Ace. Declarer returns the ♦3. You rise
with the ten, partner following with the ♦6.
A typical S/P position. Partner played the highest of the
remaining diamond spots.
Thus, he is signaling his possession of the ♠K.
Accordingly, we cash three spade tricks, ending in the South
hand.
The club shift should protect us from possible endplay.
Bermuda Bowl 2003: USA I against USA II.

Meckstroth led the jack of diamonds to the Queen, King and Ace,
and Wolff shot the diamond three right back. Meckstroth won the
ten and was at the crossroads. He needed to play spades, but
after some thought he exited with a low heart.
Wolff went up with dummy’s Ace, dropping his singleton King,
cashed the Queen for a spade pitch, then played two more rounds
of diamonds, discarding spades.
269
Meckstroth ruffed the fourth diamond, but it was with a natural

trump trick. Wolff lost three trump tricks, a diamond and a
spade.
NS play upside down suit preference so if South followed with
high diamond it was his error!
270
Typical 4
TYPICAL 4
Uncertainty about the meaning of partner’s signals leads to
unnecessary energy loss.
W N E S
Tornay Mohan Barfus Sutherlin
1♥ Pass 2 ♥ Pass
4♥ Pass…
N ♠ 10 9 5 2
♥ K63
W E ♦ Q
S ♣ K 10 8 7 6
♠ Q83
♥ A4
♦ K9432
♣ 953
Lead: ♣2. Declarer calls for dummy’s ten.
Which card do you play?
271
The full hand:
♠ J764
♥ 10 9 2
♦ A J 10 8 5
♣ 2
♠ AK N ♠ 10 9 5 2
♥ QJ875 ♥ K63
♦ 76 W E ♦ Q
♣ AQJ4 S ♣ K 10 8 7 6
♠ Q83
♥ A4
♦ K9432
♣ 953
Lead: ♣2. Declarer calls for dummy’s ten.
Which card do you play?
In my opinion, the first-trick signal should clarify the position.

Since the opening lead was no doubt from shortness, S/P applies.
The ♣3, therefore, points to a diamond honor.
After getting in with the ♥A, we ought to lead the ♣5 for partner
to ruff. This is a repeat S/P, so much liked by the bridge players.
How did the play proceed at the table?

George Tornay (W) leapt to game in order not to reveal any
extraneous information to the opponents. Maybe he could induce
a club lead? It worked – Mohan (N) led the club two. Tornay won
with dummy’s ten and led a heart. John Sutherlin went up with
the Ace and played back the club nine!!! in tempo.
272
Typical 4
After ruffing, Mohan thought for a long time. The club nine
looked like an obvious suit preference signal for spades. Equally
obviously, Sutherlin needed the spade Ace or the diamond King to
defeat the contract. North had jumped to game and the defense
had already shown up with two Aces. Could they have a third? In
other words, would Tornay have leapt to game with only one Ace?
Mohan eventually concluded that he would not, and decided to
play Sutherlin for the diamond King rather than the spade Ace,
thus underleading his own Ace for a second club ruff. Well done!
The principle of playing partner for less rather than more paid
off.
273
NONSENSE
Some of the defenders’ signals make declarer’s task much easier,
while being utterly useless for partner.
W N E S
1♣ 1♥
1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass
4♠ Pass…
N ♠ J 10 7
♥ 86
W E ♦ A Q 10 7
S ♣ A Q 10 2
♠ 62
♥ AQJ97
♦ 94
♣ KJ84
Lead: ♥10.
Plan the defense.
274
Nonsense
♠ 8543
♥ 10 4
♦ KJ85
♣ 973
♠ AKQ9 N ♠ J 10 7
♥ K532 ♥ 86
♦ 632 W E ♦ A Q 10 7
♣ 65 S ♣ A Q 10 2
♠ 62
♥ AQJ97
♦ 94
♣ KJ84
Lead: ♥10.
South took the Ace and switched to the ♠2, intended as S/P for
clubs.
A typical example of a senseless S/P.

This information will be clear for declarer and he will waste no
time turning it against us. He will finesse dummy’s ten of
diamonds, ending up with five trumps and five side suits tricks.
Without South’s assistance, there was a reasonable alternative of
leading a club to the Queen, which would have complicated the
play enormously. The success would than depend on choosing the
double diamond finesse instead of the repeated club finesse
against the Jack.
275
SUGGESTION AND INFORMATION

Directing partner’s attention to one of the suits should not
interrupt the flow of other information.
W N E S
♠ J532
♥ 763
♦ Q6
♣ AQ98
N ♠ 876
♥ AJ85
W E ♦ KJ8
S ♣ J 10 5
Lead: ♠2. Declarer won with the ♠10 and led the diamond five to
the King. At the third trick he continued with the ♦J, ducking the
♦9 in hand.
South followed with, respectively, the ♦7 and the ♦2.
Plan the defense.
276
Suggestion and Information
♠ J532
♥ 763
♦ Q6
♣ AQ98
♠ A K Q 10 N ♠ 876
♥ K2 ♥ AJ85
♦ A 10 9 5 W E ♦ KJ8
♣ 763 S ♣ J 10 5
♠ 94
♥ Q 10 9 4
♦ 7432
♣ K42
Lead: ♠2. Declarer won with the ♠10 and led the diamond five to
the King. In the third trick he continued with the ♦J, ducking the
♦9 in hand.
South followed with, respectively, the ♦7 and the ♦2.
No wonder South directed his partner’s attention (♦7) to hearts.
From his perspective the of the missing honors was still obscure.
Nonetheless, he did very well to add the important piece of
information about the King of clubs (via the ♦2).
North should make good use of it. Leading the ♣8, however, may
be misinterpreted by South as asking for the spade switch when
he wins the ♣K.
Every defender is obliged to protect his partner from error.
From the play so far we know West originally held four spades
and four diamonds. It follows that partner has at least three
clubs. This conclusion is necessary to alleviate any fears of
finding partner with the King second in clubs.
Playing the ♣Q will make situation perfectly clear for partner.
When his King holds the next trick, the location of the ♣A will not
be a secret for him any more.
277
CAREFUL DEFENCE
Exchanging information is but a part of successful defense.
The key task is to prepare a plan of defense based on the
gathered data.
NS vulnerable
W N E S
1♣ Pass
1♠ Pass 2♠ Pass
N ♠ Q 10 9
♥ 85
W E ♦ 10 3 2
S ♣ AKQ52
♠ J7
♥ KJ943
♦ Q74
♣ J43
Lead: ♣10.
Plan the defense.
278
Careful Defence
The full hand:
♠ K854
♥ Q76
♦ A98
♣ 10 9 8
♠ A632 N ♠ Q 10 9
♥ A 10 2 ♥ 85
♦ KJ65 W E ♦ 10 3 2
♣ 76 S ♣ AKQ52
♠ J7
♥ KJ943
♦ Q74
♣ J43
Lead: ♣10.
The first play we make should be an alert signal already – the ♣J
will strongly suggest the preference for hearts.
Then it’s time for good defensive technique. When the ♠9 is led,
we must cover to protect the value of partner’s eight.
Trick 2 = ♠9, ♠J, ♠A, ♠5.
Partner will win the next spade and underlead the ♥Q.
Declarer must duck twice. North will be on lead at the end of the
second heart trick and establish the setting trick in spades, which
he will cash on gaining the lead with the ♦A.
279
EMPHASIZING AND DE-EMPHASIZING

On many occasions we can utilize subtle signaling to reinforce or
de-emphasize our message.
W N E S
1♣ Pass
1♦ Pass 2♥ Pass
♠ J9832
♥ QJ9
♦ A
♣ 9732
N ♠ Q
♥ AK86
W E ♦ 932
S ♣ AKQJ5
Lead: ♠3. South covers with the King, but declarer holds up twice
and wins the third round of spades. South has shown up with
four spades.
Next West cashes the five club winners.
Partner follows with the ♣4 and the ♣6 and then throws three
hearts: ♥3, ♥4, ♥5.
What will you discard on the fifth club?
280
Emphasizing and De-emphasizing
♠ J9832
♥ QJ9
♦ A
♣ 9732
♠ A65 N ♠ Q
♥ 10 7 2 ♥ AK86
♦ Q J 10 6 W E ♦ 932
♣ 10 8 S ♣ AKQJ5
♠ K 10 7 4
♥ 543
♦ K8754
♣ 64
South signalled a diamond honor by playing ♣4, ♣6 and ♥3, ♥4,

♥5. Note that the proper count in hearts is far less important
than the strong diamond holding.
The solution is quite spectacular but relatively easy – you must

get rid of the ♦A. Do you run the risk of losing a trick?
281
Well, let’s imagine a slightly different layout:
♠ J9832
♥ QJ9
♦ A
♣ 9732
♠ A65 N ♠ Q
♥ 10 7 2 ♥ AK86
♦ K J 10 6 W E ♦ 932
♣ 10 8 S ♣ AKQJ5
♠ K 10 7 4
♥ 543
♦ Q8754
♣ 64
In this case parting with the ♦A leads to eleven tricks and an

absolute zero for N-S. South would obviously play clubs in the
same order here (♣4, ♣6), but he should discard hearts from top
down (♥5, ♥4, ♥3) in order to de-emphasize his club signals
(concerning the diamond values).
282
Keep Your Mind Busy
KEEP YOUR MIND BUSY

In order to fully benefit from the information obtained from
partner, it is necessary to conduct a careful analysis of the facts.
EW vulnerable
W N E S
2♠
5♣ Dbl Pass…
2♠ = weak two
♠ AQ76
♥ K Q J 10 4 3
♦ QJ
♣ J
N ♠ 5
♥ A852
W E ♦ 10 7 6 2
S ♣ 9743
Lead: ♠A. Partner follows with the ♠2.
Plan the defense.
283
a)
♠ AQ76
♥ K Q J 10 4 3
♦ QJ
♣ J
♠ 94 N ♠ 5
♥ — ♥ A852
♦ A984 W E ♦ 10 7 6 2
♣ A K Q 10 8 6 5 S ♣ 9743
♠ K J 10 8 3 2
♥ 976
♦ K53
♣ 2
Lead: ♠A. South follows with the ♠2.

No doubt partner is showing a diamond honor.
So do we switch to diamonds? A more in-depth consideration is
necessary.
We won’t be able to unblock diamonds. Declarer will attempt to
endplay us for a ruff and discard.
Let’s count tempo.
Declarer has insufficient entries, provided we do not exit in
hearts in Trick 2.
284
Keep Your Mind Busy
Let’s imagine a slightly different layout, though:
b)
♠ AQ76
♥ K Q J 10 4 3
♦ QJ
♣ J
♠ 94 N ♠ 5
♥ 6 ♥ A852
♦ A98 W E ♦ 10 7 6 2
♣ A K Q 10 8 6 5 S ♣ 9743
♠ K J 10 8 3 2
♥ 97
♦ K543
♣ 2
In both cases we have to disrupt communication to prevent

declarer from eliminating hearts.
In a) it is enough to exit in diamonds or clubs (not hearts, in any
event).
In b) we must continue spades, to knock out one of declarer’s
precious entries prematurely.
The conclusion: the universal trick two play, which works in both
scenarios, is the spade continuation.
285
A SUBTLE POSITION
One of the areas which distinguish the expert from the competent
player is signaling. The expert uses his spot cards to impart
subtle suit-preference messages.
W N E S
1NT Pass 2♥ Pass
♠ 765
♥ A 10 6 5
♦ 75
♣ AQ83
N ♠ AK432
♥ J2
W E ♦ Q64
S ♣ J94
Lead: ♠5.
Trick 1 – ♠5, ♠A, ♠10, ♠J
Trick 2 – ♥J, ♥4, ♥3, ♥5
Trick 3 – ♥2, ♥7, ♥Q, ♥A
Plan the defense.
286
A Subtle Position
♠ 765
♥ A 10 6 5
♦ 75
♣ AQ83
♠ QJ98 N ♠ AK432
♥ KQ3 ♥ J2
♦ AK2 W E ♦ Q64
♣ 10 7 6 S ♣ J94
♠ 10
♥ 9874
♦ J 10 9 8 3
♣ K52
Lead: ♠5.
Trick 1 – ♠5, ♠A, ♠10, ♠J
Trick 2 – ♥J, ♥4, ♥3, ♥5
Trick 3 – ♥2, ♥7, ♥Q, ♥A
The problem is straightforward. You could afford to hold up the

♥A.
On the second round of the suit partner played the lowest
remaining spot.
Since the position is clearly S/P, South is showing the King of
clubs.
Accordingly, we shift to the small club and cash three more
tricks.
So where is the „subtle position”?
287
Let’s imagine a different layout:
a)
♠ 765
♥ K 10 6 5
♦ 75
♣ AQ83
♠ QJ98 N ♠ AK432
♥ AQ3 ♥ J2
♦ AK2 W E ♦ Q64
♣ 10 7 6 S ♣ J94
♠ 10
♥ 9874
♦ J 10 9 8 3
♣ K52
This time you can’t afford to duck the first heart.

Therefore, S/P should be given right away, on the first heart
trick.
How can such S/P positions be distinguished from count signal
positions?
It no doubt requires some agreements between partners. It
should be possible to define defensive positions which demand
count from those where S/P is more desirable.
In this case the danger lies in the possibility of pitching dummy
loser(s) on declarer’s hearts. The counterstrategy involves
immediately cashing the fast tricks defenders are entitled to. The
key is the location of honors in the South hand.
288
A Subtle Position
b)
♠ 765
♥ K65
♦ J75
♣ AQ83
♠ QJ98 N ♠ AK432
♥ A Q 10 3 ♥ J2
♦ K2 W E ♦ Q64
♣ K76 S ♣ J94
♠ 10
♥ 9874
♦ A 10 9 8 3
♣ 10 5 2
Here playing the ♥9 on the first round of the suit will guide
partner onto the right track.
289
S/P, BUT WHICH SUIT?

In some cases we are in doubt as to the line of defense we should
suggest to partner.
W N E S
1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass
N ♠ AJ864
♥ J5
W E ♦ 5
S ♣ K Q 10 8 7
♠ K 10 3
♥ A 10 2
♦ J 10 6 4 3 2
♣ 4
Lead: ♦A.
What do you play?
290
S/P, but Which Suit?
The full hand:
♠ Q97
♥ 74
♦ AK97
♣ J652
♠ 52 N ♠ AJ864
♥ KQ9863 ♥ J5
♦ Q8 W E ♦ 5
♣ A93 S ♣ K Q 10 8 7
♠ K 10 3
♥ A 10 2
♦ J 10 6 4 3 2
♣ 4
Lead: ♦A.
A spade switch at the second trick sets up a trick for defense, but
at the cost of opening a line of communication for declarer.
The possibility of conveniently returning to hand with the spade
ruff solves all of declarer’s problems.
In view of that, we should signal our interest in the club suit,
even though partner has no entry. This line of defense takes into
consideration declarer’s entry-management problems.
A) West wins the ♣9 and leads a heart to the Jack.

1) South takes the Ace and shifts to diamonds.
Declarer is helpless.
2) South ducks and, likewise, West has no good continuation.
B) At Trick 3 West ruffs his remaining diamond with the trump
spot.
Now the ♥J is led, but South holds-up.
Again, there is no winning line of play.
291
C) At Trick 3 West ruffs the diamond with the ♥J and returns a

heart to the nine.
This time the defenders are helpless. If South shifts to the
♠K, it will be ducked
This is a fine example of the battle raging constantly between

declarer and defenders.
Complicating things for declarer pays off handsomely sometimes.
Fortunately, our opponents make mistakes, occasionally.
292
The Right Moment
THE RIGHT MOMENT

The value of some of our cards can only be appreciated late in the
play. The ability to pass key pieces of information in the right
moment is a sign of bridge excellence. It requires concentration,
table presence and following the play even when we seem not to
be able to participate in it any more.
W N E S
1♣ Pass 1♥ Pass
N ♠ AQJ6
♥ K962
W E ♦ KJ
S ♣ 643
♠ 9854
♥ J4
♦ Q 10 7 5 4
♣ 10 5
Lead: ♦8. Jack from dummy, and South’s Queen held the trick.
South switched to the ♣10.
North took declarer’s Queen with the King and continued the
diamond attack.
Declarer returned to clubs himself, finessing the ♣7. North won
the ♣9 and persisted with diamonds. Next came the ♠A, back to
hand with the ♠K and a heart towards the King.
293
Here is the end position:
N ♠ QJ
♥ 96
W E ♦ —
S ♣ 6
♠ 98
♥ J
♦ 10 7
♣ —
where West cashes the two remaining spade winners.
Plan the defense.
294
The Right Moment
The full hand:
♠ 10 7
♥ AQ85
♦ 986
♣ KJ92
♠ K32 N ♠ AQJ6
♥ 10 7 3 ♥ K962
♦ A32 W E ♦ KJ
♣ AQ87 S ♣ 643
♠ 9854
♥ J4
♦ Q 10 7 5 4
♣ 10 5
Lead: ♦8. Jack from dummy, and South’s Queen held the trick.
South switched to the ♣10.
North took declarer’s Queen with the King and continued the
diamond attack.
Declarer returned to clubs himself, finessing the ♣7. North won
the ♣9 (as a matter of technique, he should have won with the
Jack) and persisted with diamonds. Next came the ♠A, back to
hand with the ♠K and a heart towards the King.
295
a)
♠ —
♥ AQ8
♦ —
♣ J2
♠ 2 N ♠ QJ
♥ 10 7 ♥ 96
♦ — W E ♦ —
♣ A8 S ♣ 6
♠ 98
♥ J
♦ 10 7
♣ —
... where West cashes the two remaining spade winners.

This is the right moment to tell partner about the ♥J (♠9, ♠8).
Based on this information partner will get rid of both heart
honors to avoid the throw-in.
One of my students arrogantly dismissed such signals as needed

by amateurs only. For him unblocking is obligatory and obvious.
I call such a way of thinking „isolated”. It is typical for players
solving problems on paper, not at the table. It does not fully
recognize the implications of the fact that our hands are closed
and declarers don’t always guess.
Here my analysis applies to a matchpoint tournament where

every trick counts.
296
The Right Moment
b)
♠ —
♥ AQ8
♦ —
♣ J2
♠ 2 N ♠ QJ
♥ J7 ♥ 96
♦ — W E ♦ —
♣ A8 S ♣ 6
♠ 98
♥ 10
♦ 10 7
♣ —
If partner signals low-high in spades – ♠8, ♠9 – showing nothing

in hearts, the discards of ♥8 and ♥A may make declarer abandon
the throw-in line of play. Why?
c)
♠ —
♥ A 10 8
♦ —
♣ J2
♠ 2 N ♠ QJ
♥ J7 ♥ 96
♦ — W E ♦ —
♣ A8 S ♣ 6
♠ 98
♥ Q
♦ 10 7
♣ —
In this layout, exiting in hearts at Trick 11 restricts declarer to

seven tricks only. EW scored 37% for one down, but only 6,5% for
down two.
297
HARD TO BELIEVE
Sometimes partner’s signal is hard to believe.
None vulnerable
W N E S
1♣ 2♥
2♠ 3♦ Pass Pass
3♠ Pass…
2♠ = non forcing
N ♠ Q32
♥ K96
W E ♦ K32
S ♣ A 10 6 4
♠ 764
♥ A Q 10 5 4 2
♦ 10 7 5
♣ Q
Lead: ♥8.
South took the ♥Q and paused for a longer while. A well-known
play came to his mind: cashing the diamond trick and then
returning to hearts for a trump promotion. Finally he decided to
cash the ♥A. Partner threw the ♣2.
Plan the defense.
298
Hard to Believe
The full hand:
♠ A
♥ 8
♦ AQJ986
♣ 98532
♠ K J 10 9 8 5 N ♠ Q32
♥ J73 ♥ K96
♦ 4 W E ♦ K32
♣ KJ7 S ♣ A 10 6 4
♠ 764
♥ A Q 10 5 4 2
♦ 10 7 5
♣ Q
Lead: ♥8.
South took the ♥Q and paused for a longer while. A well-known
play came to his mind: cashing the diamond trick and then
returning to hearts for a trump promotion. This might work if the
opening lead were from a doubleton. Since, however, he suspected
the ♥8 to be singleton, South finally decided to cash the ♥A.
Partner threw the ♣2.
According to suit preference principles, the ♣2 says: „I don’t want
the heart ruff!”
Partner led a singleton and now he doesn’t want the ruff? Hard to
believe.
South started thinking harder about the deal. West’s bidding
suggested six spades and 8–10 HCP, which left North with a
singleton spade. North’s signal implies this singleton is the Ace.
Therefore switching to clubs would lay the groundwork for two
ruffs.
The ♦A would provide the second entry to partner’s hand.
299
The auction was similar at the other table.
None vulnerable
W N E S
1♣ 2♥
2♠ 3♦ Pass Pass
3♠ Pass Pass 4♦
Pass…
I like South’s bidding a lot, I must admit. The three-card diamond
fit and the club shortness look promising.
♠ A
♥ 8
♦ AQJ986
♣ 98532
♠ K J 10 9 8 5 N ♠ Q32
♥ J73 ♥ K96
♦ 4 W E ♦ K32
♣ KJ7 S ♣ A 10 6 4
♠ 764
♥ A Q 10 5 4 2
♦ 10 7 5
♣ Q
Lead: ♠2.
The West defender used another version of S/P.
He carefully covered dummy’s ♠4 with the ♠5, thus showing club
values. When North played a club at the next trick, East, armed
with partner’s signal, ducked. The trump switch would restricted
declarer to ten tricks.
300

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KRZYSZTOF

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Garsų Pasaulis – Vilnius

Putting partner on the right track requires enormous effort. The

You are sitting North.

Partner drops the King under dummy’s Ace.

You are sitting South.

Pairs tournament. You are sitting South.

Pairs tournament. You are sitting North.

Pairs tournament. You are sitting North.

Cashing the spade Ace, however, may prove disastrous if declarer

You are sitting North.

Pairs tournament. You are sitting North.

Pairs tournament. You are sitting South.

When would it be necessary (from South’s perspective) from

a) You overtook with the King …

... and everybody looked surprised.

In the a) layout your partner missed an expert play. With ♦AQx

In b) the fault is all yours. The play of an Ace followed by the

What should you do?

a) You gave count and were surprised when partner failed to

In a) North made the mistake of ducking partner’s King.

In b) South was to blame for playing the King, instead of a small

ALARM - CLOCK PLAY 1

Lead: ♠3. Having considered the matter thoroughly, declarer

Plan the defense.

Here comes the full deal:

After the pantomime performance by declarer the layout of the

Imagine a slightly different layout:

The solution in the first example is the “alarm-clock” play.

ALARM - CLOCK PLAY 2

Plan the play.

Here is the full deal:

ALARM - CLOCK PLAY 3

Plan the defense.

a) Here comes the full deal:

Only a “wake-up signal” may persuade North to switch to

b) Let’s imagine a slightly different layout:

Here we don’t expect anything out of the ordinary from partner.

ALARM - CLOCK PLAY 4

Plan the defense.

Here is the full deal:

South should follow with the Jack (meaning: “Partner, do

One of my student ask: why not ♠3 – suit-preference?

On this layout partner should pitch two diamonds on your good

Obviously, North made a simple mistake.

I am in favor of supplying partner with maximum data in

Pairs tournament. None vulnerable.

Lead: ♥7. Your ♥9 held the trick and…

Here comes the full deal:

The layout he imagined was somewhat different:

So how do we handle this problem?

The director, called by the opponents, changed the result to +420

There is, however, a purely technical solution to this problem.

a) If the first trick is taken with the king, partner will

Pairs tournament. EW vulnerable.

Plan the defense.

Here comes the full deal:

Based on this information we can put together a sensible defense.