Assumption of required position of cards sets up opportunity
One lowly high card promoted into crucial tenth trick
Major suits provide cheaper competition and high-scoring contracts
Set up hand to ensure that, however unwilling, opponents provide assistance
When partner plays an unexpected card, assume a message must be inferred
Passive defence allows declarer to find winning line
Failure to unblock honours leads to strangulating endplay
Keep cards, even at rubber bridge, to learn from every hand
Visualise the likely course of play — then seek to plan disruption
Having pushed opponents to higher level, opt to defend
No-trump contracts are often a race; strive to start, and remain, in front
Subtle inference drawn can lead to fine defence
Hesitate before following suit: unblocking opportunities abound
Distribution deduction avoids angst
Match bidding style to partner; if in doubt, keep it simple
With careful use of entries, dummy’s long suit provides key tricks
Prepare to sacrifice trump trick if cross-ruff yields extra outside tricks
Dummy’s long suit belongs to the declarer — unless you think you can own it
Simple procedure guarantees contract
When providing single ruff for partner, beware establishing tricks for declarer
Once opponents have a fit, compete aggressively, even at higher levels
Trump Coup required to overcome disagreeable division
If opponents’ plan is deciphered, declarer counters with frustrating duck
Consider possible blockages and bad breaks to provide best chances
Make key assumption, then rehearse each alternative plan
International Edition