Victor Mollo: Resumè attack against Suit-contracts

(1) Leads

a. Leading the trump suit

i. When the bidding indicates that declarer will find ruffing value in dummy, the most effective opening lead is often a trump.

ii. From A x x (or K x x) the correct lead is a small one. Partner is more likely to have two trumps than three, and it is good tactics to leave him a trump to play back, if he happens to win the first trick for the defence.

iii. From J 10 x, lead a small one.

iv. Opening a singleton trump is nearly always bad. The effect may well be to destroy a trick or tricks in partner's hand.

v. With four trumps, a trump lead is generally to be avoided particularly when the bidding indicates that declarer has no more than four or five trumps himself. The best strategy for the defence is to FORCE declarer to make him shorten his trumps.

b. Leading a singleton or doubleton

i. Singleton leads are more likely to be effective on bad hands than on good ones. The fewer high cards you have yourself, the better your chance of finding partner with the entries he needs to give you ruffs.

ii. When the bidding indicates that partner must be short in a suit (perhaps both opponents have bid it on the way round), open that suit. lt is the singleton lead in reverse and needs quick entries in your hand to give partner a ruff-or ruffs-while he still has trumps.

iii. lf you suspect that partner is leading from a doubleton and you have the Ace of the suit, HOLD IT UP. Then, when partner takes a trick, he will be able to put you !i to give him a ruff.

(2) Ruffing

a. Ruff winners, not losers. When you trump a master card (with a losing trump) you gain a trick. When declarer plays towards a master card, you do not necessarily gain anything by trumping. You may be taking a trick which partner would have made later.

b. Over-ruff

i. A defender should not over-ruff declarer or dummy automatically. The main consideration is the likelihood otherwise of developing another trump trick.

ii. With a natural trump trick one that must make in any any case-don't over-ruff unless: (a) you want the lead; (b) you hope to get a second ruff.

c. TRUMP-Promotion
By ruffing high-usually with an honour-a defender may promote his partner's trumps. To succeed, this play requires that declarer should be forced to OVERRUFF. lf he can discard a loser, the defence gains nothing on balance.

d. Punching dummy
When dummy turns up with a long suit, which can be easily set up, the first pre-occupation of the defence should be to knock out dummy's entries. lf trumps provide the only entry, PUNCH dummy: force dummy to ruff.