Passive Defense

When the objective of the defense is to just get the tricks that are due them, and not give anything away, a Passive Defense is in order.  In a Passive Defense the defenders continually look for safe exits when on lead, and strain to not open new suits.

                    Qxxxx

                    xx

                    Ax

                    KT9x

xx                                     J

QJxxx                               AKxx

JTxx                                 KQxxx

Qx                                    Jxx

                    AKxxx

                    xx

                    xx

                    A8xx

South plays in 4S-x. The defense cashes 2 hearts and switches to diamonds.  Declarer draws 2 trumps and exits a diamond.  If the defense leads clubs now, declarer can make the contract.  But the deface has counted the hand and exits passively with a red card, allowing a useless ruff sluff, and wait for their club trick, defeating the contract.

Compiled by Lorne Russell 2005