By Val Rhead
Last week we examined one of two broad categories of defensive play, the Passive Defense. Today we will examine the Active Defense. When you were first learning to play Bridge, you probably wanted to use the Active Defense. You would lead out your Aces. You didn’t want to take a chance of losing an Ace because it was ruffed or, Heavens to Betsy, going to bed with an Ace and not being able to use it. You would lead a small card from your Kings. Perhaps, partner would have the Queen of the suit and when it was played, your King would be good. The problem with leading out your Aces was that all declarer’s Kings became good. The problem with under-leading your Kings was that your right-hand opponent may have Ace-Queen tenaces, and would win undeserved tricks with their Queens.
However, there is a time when the active defense is needed, even though there is risk involved. As always, listen to the bidding. Have your opponents shown a strong side suit? If they have, once the suit is established, that suit may enable the declarer to discard his losers before you have a chance to take those tricks. You, as defender, must try to grab as many tricks to which you are entitled, as soon as possible.
In this situation, you do lead a small card from your Kings. It may just work that you will make that King good and get a chance to play it. It may mean that the Aces you have played out will take tricks by capturing declarer’s singletons before he has a chance to discard them. It may not work, but aggressive action is the only chance you have in this situation.
It’s sometimes tricky to decide whether it is best to defend passively or actively. When in doubt, start with a passive defense. If your decision doesn’t appear to be working, you can always change course midway through the hand.
However, be aware that starting new suits can be dangerous. Every time you “break” a new suit, you risk giving a trick away. This is particularly true in suit contracts because you usually can’t count on making many tricks in a suit before you are ruffed by declarer. It’s a bit safer in No Trump contracts because you may be able to set up a long suit such as KJ762, and your winners won’t be ruffed.
Next week we will look at the effective Active Defense known as the Power Play. It is a Forcing Play in which you force declarer to use up his trump.
If you wish to promote an activity in your bridge group or ask a bridge question, send the information to [email protected] and I will include it in this column.
HUNTSVILLE DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB
PLEASE NOTE: the June 12 game is our party at Grandview Golf Club 5pm for dinner. The game will follow at Grandview. There will be no game at Trinity on June 12.
Games for the Huntsville Club are Tuesday evening 7:00, Trinity United Church 33 Main Street. Please arrive at least 15 minutes early. Contact Jan Roberts 705-635-2522 or [email protected] for information and partnerships.
The following winners are for Tuesday, Jun 5 with 16 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Marilyn Waltho and John Waltho; 2. Liz Barnes and Bev Howard; 3. Vern Foell and Rod Dixon; 4. Mary Simonett and Kel Andresen; East-West 1. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 2. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox; 3. Art Insley and Don Evans; 4. Liz Graham and Dorothy Russell
MUSKOKA DUPLICATE BRIDGE CLUB (Bracebridge)
Games for the Bracebridge Club are Mondays 7pm, Knox Presbyterian Church, 120 Taylor Road. Please arrive 15 minutes before game time. For information or partnerships, call Brian at 705-645-5340 [email protected]
The following winners are from Monday, Jun 4 with 24 pairs playing a Mitchell movement. North-South 1. Mary Luke and Donna McIntosh; 2. Val Rhead and Joanne Garvey; 3. Betty Fagin and Brian Brocklehurst; 4. Liz Barnes and David Bryce; 5. Fay MacDonald and Yvonne Cox; 6. Pat Davies and Sue Scott; East-West 1. Art Insley and Don Evans; 2. Lyn Walisser and Bev Howard; 3. Kel Andresen and Jim Smith; 4. Mary Whitehead and Helen Pearson; 5. Gail Lederer and Betty Franklin; 6. Barb Green and Susan Marshall
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