“Thinking Bridge” Defense Adult Intermediate Course – Visualizing Declarer’s Hand

Course Schedule

Description

Defense is the hardest part of the game. You'll end up on defense about half the time, so honing your defensive skills is a prerequisite to becoming a better bridge player.

It's essential to have solid agreements with your partner about your signals and leads. What sort of signal applies in each situation? Which card do you lead from different holdings?

But leading the correct card and giving good signals are not what make a great defender. You need to peer into declarer's mind, figure out what they're trying to do, and counter their attack.

You need to visualize the two unseen hands consistent with all the information available to the defender at critical junctures in the play. You need to start with a sound and well-thought-out strategy for the defense but be nimble enough to change that strategy midstream.