Learn · Lesson 1
The hold-up
In no trumps, refuse to win your only stopper until the defender who might get in has none of their suit left to lead.
Step 1
The idea
The defenders lead their longest suit against no trumps. If you win your ace straight away and then have to lose the lead, the defender who gets in returns that suit, and their partner cashes the rest.
Duck the first round, and often the second. Win only when one defender has run out. Then, if that defender gets in, the long suit is cut off.
- Use it when
- You have one stopper in their suit, and you must lose the lead to set up your tricks.
- How long
- Count their suit. Hold up until the defender who may get in has none left: usually twice.
- Not when
- A switch to another suit would hurt you more, or you already have the tricks you need.
Step 2
Plan the hand
You are South in 3NT. West leads the K♠. Before you play a card, work through the checklist: try each question, then check your answer.
1NT – Pass – 3NT
Lead: K♠
Step 3
Watch it done
Before you play it yourself, see the whole hand played: the plan first, then one trick at a time. Nothing moves on until you tap Next.
Step 4
Play it yourself
Now it is your turn. Play the hand yourself, every card, against defenders who never make a mistake. It is a practice hand: no clock, no score, nothing on the ladder.
Use Hint if you are stuck and Take back to try again. If you play a card that loses the contract, you will be told why.
Tip: on a phone, turn it sideways to play. When you finish, Back to the lesson brings you back here to finish the lesson.
Remember
- Count: Five top tricks: ♠A, ♥A-K and ♣A-K. Four more must come from diamonds.
- The danger: East may win the ♦A and lead a spade through you to West's long suit.
- The plan: Hold up the ♠A until East has no spades left, then knock out the ♦A.
Now try it for real
The first hand of Challenge 1 in Declarer Challenge uses the same idea, with new cards. It is timed and scored, and goes on the ladder.