BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

Defence, in my view, is the most important part of bridge, for a number of reasons.

Most teachers spend only a fraction of the time on defence, which they devote to bidding and declarer play — therefore students emerge into the bridge world without much of a clue about the common-sense principles of how to try to defeat the opponents’ contracts.

Unless you are an incredibly lucky cardholder, you will spend about half your playing time in defence; this is the only time during the game when you actually play with your partner.

So you need to agree and practise a whole range of cardsignalling and discard methods, besides developing a tacit understanding on the mutual plan to beat the contract.

even expert partnerships who have played together for decades still have disastrous misunderstandings from time to time, so you needn’t worry when things go wrong.

This week, I’m going to feature a few of the principles that govern opening leads: one very important aspect of defence. Some contracts are clearly going to be unbeatable, but it is a good idea to get into the habit of following a routine procedure every time you are the defender who makes the opening lead.

first, recap the auction in your mind and draw what inferences and conclusions you can from it. Then decide what partner is likely to hold in points and distribution. Decide whether you should defend actively or passively.

finally, select the suit to be led and which card in the suit.