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Never assume that opponents are mindless; most plays are made for good reason
A nine offers salvation to an otherwise ill-fated declarer
Declarer establishes no-win situation for unwary opponents
Even your opponents can establish a long suit for you; just time your opportunity well
Once set on suit establishment play, reject opportunities to ruff also
Excellent technique places opponent in defensive vice
Opponent’s discards signpost ways to ‘impossible’ ninth trick
Correct planning and trump control vital for success
Restriction of opposition manoeuvres ensures success
What was not bid indicates winning distribution for declarer
Attack trumps whenever opponents show trump length and shortages
Leave opponents only losing options to ensure key suit is successfully breached
Even if winners will be ruffed, establishing long suit is crucial to success
Defender: if awkward discard looms, occlude discomfort by making it early on
Discard plays offering close to no chance; embrace unlikely, but possible, opportunities
Premature trump drawing leads to defeat for many
Discarding pressure may reveal position of key card, or provoke stressed reaction
Cross-ruff potential devastated by intelligent play
Terrier-like attack on dummy’s long suit results in key overtrick
Do not allow opposition bidding to close your mind to alternative lines
Bring king to the fore to hide troubles lurking elsewhere
Once information is processed, extra trick no longer proves elusive
Both opponents locked in no-win situation
Suit establishment, using multiple entries, creates unbearable pressure on opponent
Play out all your trumps before making decision on key suit
International Edition
