Timing Is Everything for Declarer

In this lesson:

"Winging it" is NOT the key to success.

Instead, the correct approach is for declarer to first formulate a plan, and then to execute it. However, in addition to deciding "what" to do, he must also determine "when" to do it. And that's what good timing is all about.

For each of the 15 deals in the lesson, Marty will explain exactly how and what you MUST think about in order to time the hand correctly.

In this lesson, Marty will discuss:

• - How to give yourself an extra chance to make the hand
• - How to avoid losing finesses
• - How to make the most of your long suits
• - How to overcome bad splits
• - How to judge when it's right to take a safety play
• - How to KNOW when it's right to go for an endplay AND how to set it up
• - When should you play differently at matchpoints

Here is an example of what Marty will discuss in the lesson:

Playing IMPs, you (South) are in 3NT. The opening lead is the ♠J. What is your plan for playing the hand? You have 6 immediate winners: 2 spades, 3 clubs, and 1 diamond.

If diamonds are 2-2, leading diamonds at trick 2 will result in 3 extra diamond tricks.  If you lead a heart at trick 2, you'll develop 2 heart tricks. Then, if clubs split 3-3, you'll have 9 tricks.

A 2-2 split is more likely than a 3-3 split. Does that mean that you should immediately work on diamonds? Not so fast.

The correct play is to start with clubs! If they split 3-3, you will KNOW to lead hearts. If clubs don't split, you will KNOW that your only hope is that diamonds divide 2-2.