Chat Log of BIL Lesson 20 grizz: Hi all, while we are waiting are there any questions from past sessions? grizz: i'll kill some time while other kibs get redirected here camilleln: can you give the advantages to udca vs std? I have a difficult time convincing ptrs to use it grizz: i believe there is a small advantage to udca, since you don't need to waste a possible 3rd round winner to give a positive signal grizz: udca - Upside Down Count and Attitude grizz: but the advantage is less than you might think grizz: since in NT defense you don't want to waste your length winners giving signals grizz: you tend to give negative signals in other side suits grizz: so the advantage is negated to some extent grizz: there is a huge advantage playing against new players who don't know what they are grizz: even when they are pre-announced grizz: but remember, whether UDCA or Standard, these signals are limited to Following and Attitude signals, not to leads grizz: if you play udca, and you lead hi-lo, that still means an even number grizz: but in udca when FOLLOWING, hi-lo means odd if you are giving count grizz: ok, let's begin grizz: Hi everybody, thanks for attending another of a series of lessons on Defense. grizz: Here we go with the usual stuff. grizz: Chat logs and hand records are stored in your computer for later review. For information on how to retrieve them, go the BIL homepage or email me. grizz: I teach private individual, pair, and small group lessons. If you would like to know more please email me at Grizz@GrizzBridge.com. grizz: The new website is up now, thanks to the help of PedroG. Gracias amigo! grizz: And archives of old sessions are available at Grizzbridge.com, on the Lessons page. PedroG: wlc BILAssist: they can ask me : )) grizz: We are missing some of the past sessions, from #1, 14 and 15. grizz: So if anybody has those chat logs and hand records, could you please email them to me and I will put them up on the website? grizz: There will be lots of questions. I want to address them all, but in a manner helpful to all, so please ask them in open chat. grizz: I cannot respond to private chat during a lesson. grizz: Are there any questions so far? grizz: Last week we talked about notrump opening leads, went over some general rules and looked at some examples. grizz: Let us review those rules, and then go on to 3rd hand play and see why the rules are important, and what they show us. grizz: Notrump is a race to see which side can establish and cash its winners first. grizz: Both sides usually have enough tricks to get the job done, but one side runs out of time. grizz: For those of you who are tired of hearing this again, please bear with me - we have some newcomers. grizz: Notrump defense is about long suits and entries. Long suits are where the extra tricks are, and entries allow you to cash them. grizz: That is why it is usually best to start with your side's long suit. grizz: The race to develop tricks starts at Trick 1, and if the defense does not get on with its Job #1 then momentum and timing shift to the declarer. grizz: Here are some general rules for NT leads as a review, for those who may not have attended previous sessions. grizz: By the way, these rules are for 1st hand LEADS, they do not apply to 3rd hand FOLLOWING! grizz: That bears repeating, these rules are only for the OPENING LEAD. grizz: It may seem odd that we are on Week 20 of NT Defense and still on Trick 1, but as you have seen there is a lot to say about it. grizz: 1. If your partner has bid a suit, lead it, unless you have a strong suit of your own and an outside entry. grizz: 2. Strong top-of-sequence leads from 4-card suits (KQJx. KQTx. QJTx) are better than weaker but longer suits (Jxxxx, Qxxxx). grizz: 3. If you have the choice between an unbid major or an unbid minor with similar strength in each, the major is usually a better prospect. grizz: 4. If dummy uses Stayman he can be assumed to have one or two 4-card majors. grizz: 5. If your hand is dreadful, try to hit partner's long suit, even if he hasn't bid. Any suit that he might have bid at the 1 level but didn't will be an unlikely candidate for this desperation lead. grizz: 6. If dummy has announced during the auction that he has a long, strong suit, you must make an aggressive lead in another suit. AKx. KQx or QJx are better in this case than weaker but longer suits. grizz: 7. Partner needs to know whether you have any honors in the suit you lead. If a switch must be made at Trick 2, partner needs to know and act quickly. grizz: A. The lead of a low card in an unbid suit promises an honor. So if you lead low, expect partner to return that suit if he gets in. grizz: C. Leading from a strong 4-card suit like AQTx, AQJx, AJTx, or AKTx usually costs a trick. Odds are that RHO has the missing honor, and a lead from one of these sequences goes right into declarer's tenace. grizz: But it is a GOOD idea to lead from a strong 5-card suit, such as AQTxx, AQJxx, AJTxx, or AKTxx. grizz: D. The lead of a Q shows either the top of a sequence (QJT, QJ9) OR a powerful combination headed by the KQT9. grizz: If the opening leader may have that combination, that is you do not see the K,T or 9 but you do have the J, you should play it at Trick 1. grizz: Otherwise you would give a Count signal. grizz: So the opening lead of a Q calls for Unblock the J or give Count grizz: E. The lead of a K shows either a sequence or a short suit (AKx, KQx). grizz: F. Leading an A shows a very strong suit, headed by AKQ, AKJT, AKJ (or AQJ with an outside entry). Since the A is a guaranteed entry, it is rare to waste it on the opening lead. grizz: G. Playing Coded 9's and T's, also known as Jack Denies (and T or 9 Implies), the lead of a J denies a higher honor, but guarantees a sequence if it is an unbid suit. grizz: The lead of a T or 9 now specifically shows 0 or 2 cards higher. If leader has 2 higher cards, they are specifically a touching tenace (KJT9, KT98, AT98, AJT9, etc.) ->EHSAN 1: please don't do that again, until it's time for questions grizz: Remember, these rules are for 1st hand LEADS, they do not apply to 3rd hand FOLLOWING. grizz: We will talk about 3rd hand play in following weeks, but here is a sneak peek at the rules, and you will be happy to know that they are much simpler. grizz: 1. Win the trick, unless there is a good reason not to. grizz: 2. Give Attitude on partner's lead - tell him whether to continue the suit or switch. grizz: 3. Give Count on declarer's lead, to help partner figure out suit distribution around the table. Condi: how ? grizz: please, no more distractions Condi: how do you give attitude and count? grizz: using standard signals, a high card followed by a lower card in the same suit shows an even number grizz: let me back up grizz: any given signal can be one of 3 things grizz: 1. Attitude grizz: 2. Count grizz: or 3. Suit Preference grizz: a signal can only be one of these 3 things though grizz: and you must learn when to give one, and when to expect partner to give one grizz: when partner is on lead, give Attitude grizz: using standard signals, a high card shows encouragement grizz: and a low card discourages BILAssist: Kibbers please don't post the bidding sequences thanks!H!H grizz: those are Attitude signals grizz: given when partner is on lead Caitlin: or on discards? grizz: but when Declarer is on lead, either from the concealed hand or dummy, you give Count signal grizz: if you are out of the suit that declarer is leading, you can give an Attitude signal in a different suit bluehi: question whenyou are ready how do you tell the suit preffrence apart from attitude grizz: low being negative, high is positive using standard signals grizz: third possible signal is Suit Preference grizz: comes into play most often when dummy is void in the suit played grizz: and shows preference among the two remaining side suits grizz: so to review, on partner's lead you show Attitude grizz: on Declarer's lead you show Count grizz: and on rare occasions when neither is appropriate, you show Suit Preference grizz: Any questions so far? grizz: Now we have some quiz examples of 3rd hand play. I will present a problem, and you are all invited to tell the crowd what card to play, and why. grizz: let's pretend we are all West PedroG: K grizz: partner has led the !S4, and dummy has the 975, and West has the KJ2. What should West play and why? PedroG: K grizz: Rule 1 above, 1. Win the trick, unless there is a good reason not to. tourtour: doyou use rule of 11? grizz: you may use the Rule of 11 to try to figure out who has what tourtour: ok PedroG: well p would not lead away from A, and low means Q grizz: subtract the 4 from 11, and that tells you how many higher cards there are in the other 3 hands grizz: 11-4=7 grizz: of those 7, 3 are in dummy grizz: and 2 are in your hand grizz: so declarer has only 2 higher cards, assuming that partner led 4th best grizz: that's all well and good, but doesn't tell you whether to play the K or J grizz: 1. Win the trick, unless there is a good reason not to. grizz: that rule tells you to play the K grizz: if partner has the Q, it doesn't matter which card you play grizz: but if partner has the A, it makes a LOT of difference grizz: next example grizz: 3 is led, what should West play from AJ84? bluehi: a navit: 8 bluehi: A grizz: correct grizz: 1. Win the trick, unless there is a good reason not to. pzee: A - Rule #1 grizz: how about KQ8? PedroG: Q tourtour: k camilleln: q rwin: 8 gomites: !sQ grizz: hmmmm grizz: seems to be a split of authority here! PedroG: :) grizz: 1. Win the trick, unless there is a good reason not to. grizz: on defense, win with the lower of equals grizz: so Q is correct grizz: partner will expect you to cover with lower of equals grizz: so if you play the K, he will be entitled to infer that declarer has the Q bluehi: lower of 2 grizz: and he will go looking for tricks in some other suit grizz: is that clear to everybody? rwin: k PedroG: y rojune: y grizz: from KT8? pzee: K - Rule #1 camilleln: k bluehi: K grizz: y louise1940: K grizz: what about T84? tourtour: 10 BILAssist: 8 pzee: T - Rule #1 bluehi: encourage grizz: the 7, 8, 9 and T are all equals Dianne0516: 8 camilleln: 10 if play 9 grizz: right whiz: how can enter grizz: if declarer calls for the 5 or 7, play the 8 grizz: if declarer plays the 9, cover with the T ->whiz: right click on my name, or go to Other Bridge Activities, Chat Rooms grizz: since with the 9 in dummy the 8 and T are equals, and we play the lowest equal. grizz: clear? PedroG: y tourtour: no you play what? grizz: 3 is led grizz: dummy plays the 5 or 7 grizz: as 3rd hand, you play the 8, not the T tourtour: ok grizz: otherwise the 9 may be promoted grizz: 8, 9 and T are all equal grizz: so with the 9 on the board, if you have the 8 and T behind it, they are equals grizz: win with the lowest of equals grizz: see? bluehi: y tourtour: yes grizz: you would not want to lose a trick later to the 9 grizz: when you could have kept the T now grizz: what about qj8? ydannac: j tourtour: j Dianne0516: j pzee: J grizz: right, regardless of what dummy plays grizz: 1. Win the trick, unless there is a good reason not to. grizz: and play the lowest of equals grizz: what about QJT2? pzee: T tourtour: 10 ydannac: t grizz: righto grizz: lowest of equals. grizz: and QJT8? pzee: T tourtour: 10 PedroG: what does dec play? Dianne0516: what from dummy? loubel: 8 grizz: 5 or 7 pzee: 8 camilleln: 8 PedroG: 8 Dianne0516: 8 grizz: right, and if dummy plays the 9? pzee: t PedroG: t ydannac: 10 camilleln: t grizz: right again :) Dianne0516: 10 grizz: since with the 9 in dummy the 8 and T are equals, and we play the lowest equal. grizz: dummy plays the 5 pzee: K PedroG: K bluehi: 8 tourtour: 8 camilleln: 8 ydannac: J grizz: K, 3rd hand high with no honors in dummy. bluehi: yes grizz: 1. Win the trick, unless there is a good reason not to. grizz: dummy plays the 9 pzee: 2 -- odd no of cards ydannac: 2 PedroG: 2 bluehi: 2 grizz: exactly, this is a Count signal situation grizz: when you cannot overtake dummy, and there are no honors there, partner already knows your Attitude PedroG: bad attitude then :) ydannac: lf grizz: there is no reason to waste a signal telling him something he already knows :) grizz: so this is a Count situation tourtour: can you explain please? grizz: if you cannot overtake the 9, you don't have any high cards in the suit tourtour: count signal? even number= what? grizz: so you don't like that suit, and partner should switch grizz: assuming standard signals, hi-lo is even, and lo-hi is odd bilmanager (Lobby): => Club: !D!DTranstasman encounter Tourney -# 1904 Starts in 6 hr 30 min from now All Bilies welcome - Beginners encouraged. Mentors, Teachers and Hon.members welcome Pls join the fun and register.!D!D grizz: you have 3, so play the 2 to show an odd number grizz: ok? bluehi: k grizz: that helps partner figure out how many declarer has grizz: what should West play from kqj6? bluehi: J ydannac: q tourtour: j leslie_s: j grizz: J, lowest of equals. ydannac: J denies grizz: whao grizz: whoa grizz: J Denies applies on to Leading, not to Following grizz: J Denies applies only to Leading, not to Following grizz: when Following, win with the lowest of equals grizz: is that clear? ydannac: y bluehi: y grizz: ok, one more example then grizz: QJ? ydannac: j PedroG: Q grizz: This one depends on partnership agreement grizz: With QJ tight, some play the Q to show no supporting spot cards grizz: Otherwise play the J, lowest of equals. grizz: Remember, the rules are there for guidance, but they are no substitute for critical thinking and carefully applied bridge logic. grizz: Any other questions? PedroG: I said Q for the doubleton :( grizz: in a sense it IS a doubleton signal PedroG: ok grizz: That concludes today's lesson, and next week we will look at more Third Hand Play, finessing dummy. bluehi: tu leslie_s: when is it scheduled tourtour: thanks when is the next lesson? PedroG: that would be a great one to attend Pete grizz: next saturday, if i'm healthy :) PedroG: TY for a very nice lesson leslie_s: ty very much for your help grizz: If anybody needs help retrieving the hand records or chat log, please email me at Grizz@GrizzBridge.com. Dianne0516: Thanks Pete Wanda310: tks for the lesson and wish you good health! grizz: Thanks for your interest and participation, and I hope to see you next week. pzee: thx! BILAssist: Thanks, Pete great GREAT lesson!! Campus61: tks Grizz very thourough and thoughtful lesson great way to present it grizz: Thanks also to Maureen, Rosemary, Fred and the wonderful people at BBO who make this all possible. grizz: :) grizz: do we have any opinions about chat room vs. club? Wanda310: I like this format better PedroG: less people dotfl: tks love the chat room PedroG: and some probs with Kibs posting stuff grizz: partly because players expect to find us in the club grizz: y, that was a nuisance Wanda310: this is easier to follow and record PedroG: apart from that for the text is much much better grizz: easier to show examples on the fly grizz: for topics that were not pre-planned grizz: ok, we will continue with this format next week grizz: thanks all for coming, i'll see you in a week Wanda310: bye grizz: bye now