Tuesday, March 01, 2005 2:57 AM

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.

 

x

A

K

Q

 

x

x

Q

x

 

 

x

J

x

 

 

 

10

 

 

 

 

x

 

 

     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 and +600 just flew out the window.

 

 

 

A

x

x

A

 

x

x

x

K

 

x

 

x

x

 

 

 

x

 

 

 

 

x

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

          You are defending 3NT and the board comes down with xxx xxx x KQJ10xx  . Partner leads a suit won by declarer and a club is lead  and partner plays the deuce ( upside down count ) and you have Axx. You apply the pattern and say 6-3-2-2 and take your club the 2Nd round. If you get careless and take 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

 

J

Q

x

J

 

x

J

 

9

 

x

x

 

x

 

x

x

 

 

 

x

 

 

 

 

   With your partner leading a diamond and you winning your Ace. You return the club queen and declarer plays low. You continue a club and 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 know the hearts are 5-4-3-1. Never and I mean never take your 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. If declarer leads another heart thinking they are 2-2 you win the Ace and return a 3rd heart and she 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 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 and lets you control further proceedings.