An important consideration  when playing the hand is the link between Declarer’s hand and Dummy.  The Dummy might have lots of winners but if the lead is in Declarer’s hand with no way of getting to the table, then these winners are worthless.  How do you keep the lines of communication open?  DUCK!

In EXAMPLE 1. the Dummy has the long Club suit with no outside entries.  (No way to get to Dummy other then with the Club suit.)  If  the Ace then the King are played then a Defender will win the third trick and the good Clubs in Dummy will be stranded.  The way to keep the connection between Dummy and Declarer is to play the 2  from the hand and the 3  from the Dummy.  That is Duck the first trick.  Lose the first trick rather than the third.  Now the 4  is the connector.  After Declarer gets the lead the 4  is played.  The Ace wins this trick; the King the next; and the rest of  the Clubs are good (assuming a 3/2 split) with the lead in the Dummy.   Another use if the Duck is keeping control of the trump suit.  This is useful when playing in a three / four fit or if  the trump suit is missing some honors. In EXAMPLE 2. above Hearts are trump.  Dummy has trumped a Spade.  If the A  and second Heart is played then a Defender will win and play the third Heart (stripping the Dummy of trump) and run some good Spades.  Solution?  DUCK!  Play the 2  from the hand and the 4  from the table. If a Spade is now led  it can be trumped in Dummy.  The Ace can draw a second round of trump. Control has be maintained.  So don’t be a Chicken, Duck!  This is not bridge quackery.

EXAMPLES   1. DUMMY A K 7 6 5 3     DECLARER 4 2       2. DUMMY A 8 4          DECLARER 9 7 6 2

QUIZ 26

1.  FOWL PLAY!
SOUTH DEALS.  BID AND PLAN THE PLAY.
 
 

		NORTH
		10 2
		6 3
		A 9 4
		A 7 6 5 4 2
	WEST		EAST
	K 4 3		J 9 8 7
	J 10 9 8 2		7 5 4
	Q 8		J 10 6 5
	K J 9		Q 8
		SOUTH
		A Q 6 5
		A K Q
		K 7 3 2
		10 3

 
 

		NORTH
		A K
		7 6 2
		10 4 3
		A 9 7 4 2
	WEST		EAST
	J 10 9 7		8 5 3
	J 9 4		Q 10 5 3
	J 8 2		Q 9 6 5
	Q 8 6		K J
		SOUTH
		Q 6 4 2
		A K 8
		A K 7
		10 5 3
			ENTRIES INDEX