Safety Play

When declarer adopts a way of playing a hand, or a suit, which is the best percentage play for a given number of tricks without regard to overtricks, he has made a "Safety Play".  For examples of Safety Plays in suits see Card Combinations. 

          AJ54

          K54

          A76

          543

          QT987

          AQ2

          KQ2

          96

South plays in 4  on the Jack lead.  With only 3 losers maximum possible, South rejects the spade finesse and plays the Ace and a low one.  He gives up on the possibility of an overtrick to protect against E/W possibly holding:

632                       K

T963                     J87

J                            T98543

AQJ72                  KT8

If South tries the Spade finesse, East wins the King, gives partner a diamond ruff with the 3 (suit preference for clubs), Ace, club to the King and another diamond ruff for down 2 !!! 

Compiled by Lorne Russell 2005