ACBL41 – Decl/Def: Cover an Honor Ward Trumbull
Jun 25, 2012
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Bridge Axiom
“Cover an Honor with an Honor”
Purpose
Defender - Cover to possibly promote a lower honor or spot card
in either defender’s hand.
Declarer - Cover also to possibly promote but also sometimes to have
a preferable defender on lead.
Applicable
This axiom applies to all four players, but for each there are differing situations – explained below.
Situation
One of the hands (dummy, declarer, defender) leads an honor
(10 thru queen). The next player (2nd) has a higher honor (J,Q,K) in that suit. The third hand (3rd) may or may not have a higher honor.
a. If third is dummy, a higher honor can be seen.
b. If third is not dummy, declarer or the other defender honors are
unknown.
Should the second player, cover the lead honor? That is, should the higher honor be played? Hopefully, the explanations below will clarify this dilemma.
Questions Answers
1. Do you always cover? No!
2. Does vulnerability matter? Not really.
3. How about trump suits? Yes – in certain situations.
No – in others.
ACBL41 – Decl/Def: Cover an Honor Jun 25, 2012
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Left Hand Opponent (LHO) of Declarer
----------------------------------------------------
LHO Rule 1: If LHO has the immediately higher honor (K over Q,
Q over J or J over 10), LHO should/must cover the honor.
Decl Leads LHO Holds Dummy Holds Action
--------------- --------------- ------------------- ------------------------
queen K x x A x x cover Q with K
jack Q x x A x x, K x x cover J with Q
A K x
ten J x x any A, K or cover 10 with J
Q hand
LHO Rule 1: Exception
If LHO has more cards in the suit than the dummy,
maybe LHO shouldn’t cover.
a. Trump suit? No in most all cases
b. Suit contract side suit? Yes if dummy 4+ trumps
No if dummy has few
trumps
c. Notrump contract? No – may get it later
LHO Rule 2: If LHO’s honor is not the immediately higher
honor (K over J or 10, Q over 10), LHO should
not cover unless dummy has the missing
honor(s). Because if dummy doesn’t, then
maybe partner (RHO) does.
ACBL41 – Decl/Def: Cover an Honor Jun 25, 2012
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Left Hand Opponent (LHO) of Declarer
----------------------------------------------------
LHO Rule 2 (continued)
Decl Leads LHO Holds Dummy Holds Action
--------------- --------------- ------------------- ------------------------
jack K x x A x x don’t cover Q?
ten Q x x A x x or K x x don’t cover J?
K x x A x x or A Q x don’t cover J?
jack K x x Q x x or A Q x cover
ten Q x x A J x or K J x cover
Dummy
----------
Does RHO have an honor higher than dummy’s honor?
Dummy Rule 1: If declarer also has a higher honor, don’t cover with
dummy’s honor. Third hand high (RHO) will probably
play a higher honor anyways.
LHO Leads Dummy Holds Declarer Holds Action
--------------- ------------------- -------------------- -------------------
jack Q x x K x x don’t cover
a. RHO may play the ace anyway.
b. If LHO lead jack from A J x, either he/she is still learning
the game or is a crafty Life Master in Bridge.
ACBL41 – Decl/Def: Cover an Honor Jun 25, 2012
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Dummy (continued)
----------
Dummy Rule 2: If dummy has a higher honor but declarer
doesn’t:
a. Dummy doesn’t cover if RHO might be
short in that suit.
b. Dummy doesn’t cover to sever the defense
communication in that suit. That is a
notrump ploy.
c. Dummy covers to get RHO on lead.
Right Hand Opponent (RHO) of Declarer
------------------------------------------------------
RHO Rule 1: If RHO has the immediately higher honor,
he/she covers the last honor in dummy’s top
sequence in that suit.
Explanation by Example - RHO has the king
Dummy has Q x x - cover the queen
Dummy has Q J x x - don’t cover the queen
but cover the jack
Dummy has Q J 10 x - don’t cover the queen
or jack but cover the
10
RHO Rule 2: If RHO doesn’t have the immediately higher
card, it’s a guess. I would cover a jack or
queen but not a ten.
ACBL41 – Decl/Def: Cover an Honor Jun 25, 2012
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Declarer
-----------
Does LHO have a higher honor than declarer’s honor?
Declarer Rule 1: If dummy also has a higher honor, don’t
cover. Third hand high (LHO) will probably
play a higher honor anyways.
RHO Leads Declarer Holds Dummy Holds Action
--------------- --------------------- ------------------- ------------------
jack Q x x K x x don’t cover
a. LHO may play the ace anyway,
b. If RHO lead jack from A J x, either he/she is still learning
the game or is a crafty Life Master in Bridge.
Declarer Rule 2: If declarer has a higher honor but dummy
doesn’t:
a. Declarer doesn’t cover if LHO might be
short in that suit.
b. Declarer doesn’t cover to sever the
defense communication in that suit. That
is a notrump ploy.
c. Declarer covers to get LHO on lead.
Finally Note
----------------
When in doubt, cover; and then reread this handout.