1. COMPETITIVE DEFENSE

2. Dave LeGrow

3. Format of the Class
Notes and Handouts
Exercises
Interactive: Questions and Challenges
Permitted?
Expected?
Required!

4. Maxims
Never...
Underlead an ace in a suit contract
Lead an unsupported ace
Lie to your partner in your discarding
Always...
Lead partner's bid suit
Lead 4th from longest and strongest vs. NT
Cover an honor with an honor
Split honors
Play second hand low
Play third hand high
When you don't know what to lead, lead trump

5. "Partner, why did you ________________________"

6. Defense is Hard Work
Observation
Counting
Each suit
Honor Points
Deduction and Inference
Distribution
Location of Honor Cards
The Concept of Negative Inference

7. The Role of Bidding in Defense
Calls to Guide the Defense
Calls to Crowd the Auction
Calls to Force the Opposition Higher
Calls to Find Productive Sacrifice Contracts

8. Visualization: Developing and Refining a Picture of All Hands
Channeling Declarer (What is That?)
Clues from the Bidding
Information from Partner's Opening Lead
Presentation of Dummy
Declarer's Plays
Partner's Plays and Signals

9. Visualization - 1
Neither side vulnerable...
South (You)
 K Q T 3
 7 3
 A 7 4 
The bidding proceeds (your partner passes throughout):
West North East South
1♣ Pass
1♦ Pass 1♥ Pass
4♥ Pass Pass Pass

10. Visualization - 2
Neither side vulnerable...
South (You)
 K Q T 3
 7 3
 A 7 4 
The bidding proceeds:
West North East South ♥ 2♦ Dbl Pass
2♠ Pass Pass ?

11. Visualization - 3
Neither side vulnerable...
South (You)
 K Q T 3
 7 3
 A 7 4 
The bidding proceeds:
West North East South ♦ Pass 1NT Pass
2♥ Pass 3NT Pass
Pass Pass

12. If Opening Leader or Dummy, Predict Declarer's Hand;
Otherwise, predict Opening Leader's Hand
Board: _______
Prediction: Actual:
♠ ♠
♥ ♥
♦ ♦
 

13. Making Percentage Plays
Assume Opponents are in the Proper Contract - Unless...

14. Intermission

15. The Importance of Leads
Opening Leads
Leads During the Defense

16. Being Prepared for the Obvious Play; Keeping Tempo

17. Preparedness
Bidding: (South) 1♣ - Pass - 1♦ - Pass - 1♥ - Pass - 4♥ - Pass - Pass - Pass. You lead ♠K and play proceeds with declarer winning the ♠A. Declarer studies the dummy for 10 seconds, and leads...
North
 J 6 5
 K Q 8 6
 K J 8 5
 K 4
West (You) East
 K Q T 3  4
 7 3 
 A 7 4 
 
South (Declarer)
 A   

18. Patience on Defense
Breaking New Suits: Pros and Cons
Lost Trick Exchanged for Discard(s)
Honors take Honors
Avoid Taking (Optional) Tricks Without a Lead in Mind

19. Patience
Bidding: (South) 1♣ - Pass - 1♦ - Pass –
1♥ - Pass - 4♥ - Pass –
Pass - Pass.
You lead ♠K and play proceeds with declarer winning the ♠A. Declarer studies the dummy for 10 seconds, and leads...
North
 9 4
 K J 8 6
 K Q J 5
 Q 7 4
West (You) East
 K Q T 3  5
 7 3 
 A 
 J 5 2 
South (Declarer)
 A   

20. Deduction
Without opposition, the opponents have bid to a contract of 4♠. You lead the ♥A; your partner plays the ♥8 (standard carding). What card do you play next? Why?
North
 K 9 7 4
 J 7 5
 K 8 5
 A 8 6
West East
 6 3 
 A K  8
 
 K Q 5 
South 
 3  

21. The Significance of Every Card
What is a high card / low card in a suit?
Missing cards

22. Only Disclose Information Of More Value to Your Partner

23. The Good Partner Dilemma (Brilliance vs. Teamwork)
(Choose carefully…)

24. Defense is hard work
Defensive bidding is critical
Visualization - Develop and refine a picture of all hands
Make percentage plays
Be prepared for the obvious play; play in tempo
You need to practice patience on defense
Every card you play and every card your partner plays is significant
Only disclose information of more value to your partner than to declarer
When faced with a choice between being brilliant and being a good partner...