#12 North South Vulnerable
South   West   North   East
 1♥          1♠         2♣       Pass
 2♥         3♦         4♥         AP
                                                North (dummy)
                                                ♠ Q 8 6
                                                ♥ Q 8 7
                                                ♦ 6 5
                                                ♣ A K Q J 10
                        West                                         East
                        ♠ A K J 7 4                                 ♠ 9
                        ♥ 6 5 4                                       ♥ 
                        ♦ K Q 10 8 4                              ♦
                        ♣ —–                                          ♣
                                                South (declarer)
                                                ♠ 2
                                                ♥ 
                                                ♦
                                                ♣
 
West leads the ♠A. East wins the ♠9. What is West’s plan?
 
East plays high low in spades so West knows East can ruff the third round of spades. However, when giving partner a ruff with a choice of cards, the size of the card returned is suit preference and asks for a particular return. A low card (♠4) asks for the lower ranking side suit (clubs); a high spade return (♠J) asks for the higher ranking side suit (diamonds). As West wants a club return to trump, West returns the ♠4. It is not for East to reason why, it is for East to return a club. East ruffs the ♠4 and returns the ♣8 which West ruffs! Down 1 before Declarer knows it!
 
Visit Webinars.PlayBetterBridge.com for free webinar videos called Defend These Hands with Me.  World Champion and Master Teacher Donna Compton walks you through her thought process of opening leads, passive vs aggressive defense and many more “must know” defensive ideas. The combination of being a world-class player, along with the ability to share her thoughts with all levels of players makes these webinar videos unique. Married to a multi-time Barry Crane Top 500 Champion and captaining the World’s Top Bridge Team gives Donna access to state-of-the-art bidding, play and defensive agreements.  Join Donna today and take your game to the next level!