Tuesday, March 01, 2005 2:57 AM
Hand Evaluation – Declarer Play (
The Hold Up Play )
PITBULLS:
One of the most basic applications of patterns is the hold up play . As we all know, the hold up play can be done by declarer or defenders.
In all cases though,
an application of patterns is necessary. The opponents lead the deuce of spades against your 3NT contract.
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Do you hold up ? Patterns to the rescue .
LHO has a 4 card suit so the spades are 4-4-3-2 .
Holding up is silly as they can only cash 3 spades when you knock out the
diamond Ace. If you hold up in spades, they may switch to a heart so +600 just
flew out the window.
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You are defending 3NT , the board comes down
with ♠xxx ♥xxx ♦x
♣KQJ10xx . Partner leads a suit won by declarer . Declarer
leads a club with partner playing the deuce ( upside
down count ), you have ♣Axx. You apply the pattern 6-3-2-2 so
you take your club the 2Nd round. If you get careless by taking your
club the 3rd round , you have just given
declarer his 9th trick as he has a long diamond suit.
Playing with a tormentee
tonight against a weak declarer in 3♥ , the board hits with
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Partner leads a diamond and you win your
Ace. You return the club queen , declarer plays low.
You continue a club , declarer wins the Ace. Declarer who an overcalled a heart leads a
small heart to the queen and you have Axx. Now what ? Here is word of invaluable
advice. You apply the pattern and you know
the hearts are 5-4-3-1. Never and I mean never take your trump Ace the 1st round. In this case
,declarer should never
have been leading a trump in the first place as this is cross ruff hand. When
declarer leads another heart thinking they are 2-2 you win the Ace and return a
3rd heart. She now
goes down one in a contract cold for 4. The Ace of trump is very
important for timing and control. It is better that you have that control
in their trump for as long as possible. When you know partner has a singleton never take
your Ace 1st round in any trump contract. It is deceptive but more than that it lets you control further proceedings.
Applying patterns & the hold play
are a good fit. Do not hold up without a purpose .
Apply a pattern first so that you know when to hold up.