DEFENSIVE CARDING IN 2^ND SEAT

QUESTION :   You are sitting over dummy, the declarer moves small card out of(6 4 2) your holding in this suit is J 10 9 what is the correct card for you to play in second seat?

Thanks, A confused Bridge learner.

Sridhar’s views : In second seat it is advisable to play the HIGHEST card from a sequence that contain honors ( at least 2 ) – a honor card is defined as a card equal to or higher than 10 . Hence here you should play the Jack, denying the queen, but promising the 10 usually ( except when you are unblocking).

The logic for such carding is that if you play the highest card partner will know declarer has the honor card higher than the card that you played – in your example , if you play the Jack , you partner will know you do not have the Queen ; if your system of carding requires you to play the lowest of touching honor cards, then declarer can win the trick with a higher card than necessary , leaving your partner in doubt about placement of honor cards; in your example , if you play the 9 and declarer wins with king , then partner will not know the lay out at all – from his point of view declarer can have Q, QJ, or even QJ10 !

Playing the highest of touching honors in 2^nd seat helps your partner to (a) unblock his queen if needed, confident that he is not losing a trick (b) win ace and return the suit if needed (c) placement of high cards in the 2 closed hands by count

With best wishes

Sridhar