In the middle of the deal, the opening lead rules go out the window. We have a lot more information and the information that partner needs is different. There are two primary situations in the middle of the deal. 1) We're returning the suit led. 2) We're switching to a new suit.
For this quiz, let's look at returning the suit led. If partner leads a suit, your attitude in the suit will usually be known. On the first trick, you either played third hand high or you signaled that you liked/disliked the suit. Either way, partner knows how you feel. The thing partner doesn't know is how many you have. Here, you lead count back.
If you have 2 cards left, return the higher card. If you have 3 cards left, return the lowest (if you have 4 cards left, typically you return the second-lowest). Of course, if you have winners in the suit, you might choose to play high. See how well you decide what to do when returning partner's suit (or deciding not to).
You are East. The auction is below.
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
1NT | |||
Pass | 3NT | All Pass |
Vul:None Dlr: South |
DUMMY
|
|
![]() |
YOU
|
At trick one, partner leads the 5, and dummy plays low. You win the king. What should you play next?
8
5
Doesn't matter which heart
Switch to a diamond
Switch to a club
Other
You are East. The auction is below.
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
1NT | |||
Pass | 3NT | All Pass |
Vul:None Dlr: South |
DUMMY
|
|
![]() |
YOU
|
Partner leads the 3. Your king wins the first , declarer follows with the
5. What card do you play next?
2
8
10
Switch to a spade
Switch to a heart
Switch to a club
You are East. The auction is below.
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
1![]() |
1NT | ||
Pass | 4![]() |
Pass | 4![]() |
All Pass |
*Texas Transfer
deal:
Vul:None Dlr: E |
DUMMY
|
|
YOU
|
Partner leads the 3. Your ace wins the trick. What next?
6
8
9
10
Q
A
Other
You are East.
The auction is below.
West | North | East | South |
---|---|---|---|
1NT | |||
Pass | 2![]() |
Pass | 2![]() |
Pass | 3NT | All Pass |
Vul:None Dlr: S |
DUMMY
|
|
![]() |
YOU
|
Partner leads the 8. Your agreement is 4th best leads or top of nothing. You play the
Q on top of dummy's jack and declarer wins the ace. Declarer now leads the
4 to partner's
5 and dummy's
J. You win the
K. What next?
2
9
10
10
Other