Learning basic defense
Bridge Column for June 4, 2000, By HARVEY BERNSTEIN
Neither side vulnerable.  South deals.
                              NORTH
                              S: Q 9 6            
                              H: A 10 5 4    
                              D: 10 3 2      
                              C: Q 4 3   
            WEST                             EAST
            S: A 7 3                         S: K J 5        
            H: 9 7 3                         H: 8 6 2     
            D: K 9 8 6 5                     D: A J 4             
            C: 10 8                          C: 9 7 5 2     
                              SOUTH                         
                              S: 10 8 4 2 
                              H: K Q J       
                              D: Q 7      
                              C: A K J 6  
          The Bidding://
                  SOUTH    WEST    NORTH    EAST                  
                   1NT     Pass     Pass    Pass
     This is a very simple hand with a very important message. 
If declarer can gain the lead he will be able to score eight or
nine tricks.  The defense, however, gets to strike the first
blow, and if they play well, they will prevail.
     West leads his fourth best diamond.  The two is played from
dummy and East wins the ace.  Many players holding the East cards
will return the jack of diamonds, establishing the ten in dummy
as a stopper.  The correct play is to return the four.  
     West wins the king and is at the crossroads.  He will lead
another diamond, but which one?  His responsibility is to help
East determine how to continue in the event that East has the
jack, as shown here.
     The highest diamond available, in this case the nine, tells
East that a spade return, the highest suit, is correct.  If West
is sleeping and returns the five of diamonds, East may assume
that a club lead is required and declarer will make his contract
with an overtrick.
     You have many opportunities on defense to help your partner. 
Make sure that you are sending the right message at the right
time.  Partner may not "get" every signal, but eventually, if he
learns to count on your playing the right card, he will get more
than not, and your score will improve.  
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