HOME > BRIDGE LESSONS > DECLARER CARD PLAY LESSONS
Ducking
When you know you have to lose at least one trick in a suit that includes the ace and king, you need to lose that trick early by playing low cards from both your hand and the dummy. This is called ducking a trick.
When should I not play my honor cards?
Definition
In contract bridge, to duck means to deliberately play low to a trick which you have led and intentionally losing in order to set up a suit or to preserve controls or entries. When applied to a suit you have led it is referred to as a duck but it is called a hold-up when you purposely play a low card in a suit played by the opponents when you could win the trick.
YOU ARE VIEWING A SHORT EXTRACT OF OUR BRIDGE LESSON
The full version of our lessons, in our Premium Members area, are interactive and include inline glossaries, quizzes and multiple practice hands to play on each topic. Subscribe to our Premium Members area (try it free for 30 days) to get access to over 400 hours of interactive Bridge lessons and Bridge learning activities.
REVIEWS FROM OUR PREMIUM MEMBERS AREA
“the daily challenge is awesome” – Daniel, Massachusetts, USA
“I love everything. The lessons are nicely sequential and easy to follow.” – Nancy, Virginia USA
“I absolutely love this website. I spend hours everyday on it. Helps enormously.” – Lesley, California
“your site gives me confidence.” – Brigid, Ireland
FULL REVIEWS
The Problem
If the dummy has a five-card suit headed by the ace and the king facing three small cards, you want to create two extra tricks using a ducking play.
The opponents have five spades between the two hands, including the spade queen and Jack. You must sooner or later lose a spade trick no matter what, so try lose it as soon as you can while you still have control of the suit
North
North (Dummy)
♠ 6 5 3
West
West
♠ Q 10 9
East
East
♠ J 8
South
South (Declarer)
♠ A K 7 4 2