UNBLOCKING
Unblocking is getting rid of high cards so that your partner can make smaller ones.
You seldom unblock except at "no-trump."
Study the "no-trump" leads, and on the lead of any high card prepare to get out of your partner's way. It is rarely that you can lose more than one trick by unblocking, and a failure to take advantage of the position when it presents itself may result in the loss of three to six tricks.
With four cards of the suit of which your partner leads the A, K, or Q, keep the lowest card until the final round.
| Holding | On Partner's Lead of | Play |
| K x | A | K |
| A x | K | A |
| K x | Q | K |
| Q x x | K and A | Q on A |
| K Q x | A | Q |
| Q J x | A | J |
| Q J x | K | J |
| K Q x | J | Q |
THE DEALER'S PLAY OF A NO-TRUMP HAND
The dealer's play of a "no-trump" hand is both the most interesting and the most intricate part of Bridge. Very often a single error will result in the loss of three or more tricks; so that it behooves the dealer—as he has no assistance from his partner—to make himself thoroughly conversant with the strategy of the game.
The following rules cover all the important points in the dealer's play.