Which card do you play as West?
In this type of situation, the temptation is to "force" the dummy's high card (the Ace) by playing a high card yourself (the Jack). And I warn you: it's always a big mistake.
Look at all four hands:
Imagine you played the Jack to "force" the Ace:
Then South plays the 4 from dummy and takes partner's Queen with the King:
Then, as you have no cards left, the declarer takes the rest:
Not great. Now look what happens if you play small at the beginning:
The declarer has no choice but to play the Ace from dummy, otherwise East makes the Queen. And this is the key point: it's always the player after who poses the threat of taking the trick. It's not the player before who "forces".
Then, the declarer plays the 4 from dummy, and in the same way, must put down the King otherwise you make the Jack. Again, it's the player after (you, this time) who threatens to win a trick and forces the player before to play a high card if they want to win:
And this time, you see that you still make your Jack:
1st great defense secret
When second to play, play "like a sheep"! Play a small card, there is no need to "force", as you would often lose tricks by doing so.
At No Trump, South plays the 2 towards AK84 in dummy. As West, you hold Q63. Which card do you play?
One suit only at No Trump; useful communications are available. Other suits are not evaluated.
Now it's your turn to play and see if you've understood the concept:
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