INFERENCES FROM THIRD-HAND PLAY
It is very important for the leader, especially in a “no-trump” hand, to be in a position to determine whether his suit should be continued or abandoned. Careful notice of the card your partner plays to the first trick will often enable you to place the high cards in that suit, and in this way suggest your subsequent play.
The following are given as illustrations of inferences to be drawn by the leader from third-hand play:
A and B are partners, and the underlined card in each example indicates A’s lead; Y’s cards are exposed.
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B’s play of queen denies the jack, which should therefore be marked in the dealer’s hand. The small cards cannot be placed.
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B’s play of the nine denies the eight and the queen. Both of these cards must be in the dealer’s hand. The ten should be placed with B. The leader, in order to catch the dealer’s queen, must await a return of the suit.
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The play of the jack denies the ten and the king; both of these cards are marked in the dealer’s hand. Should A continue this suit, it would allow the dealer to make tricks with both ten and king. The suit must be abandoned until the lead can come from B’s hand.