Unblock

It is sometimes necessary for a defender to get rid of a high card to enable partner to either gain the lead or to run his suit:

                     A54

      QJT3               K76

                    982

Playing in NT West leads the Queen and North plays low as does East.  West then plays the 3 and North plays the Ace.  If East plays low again the defense will be able to cash only 1 more trick.  So East unblocks the King under the Ace permitting West to cash 2 tricks later in the play.

A different example:

                    QT54

     A93                     KJ82

                    76

West on lead must unblock the suit by leading the 9.  Now the defense can take 4 tricks immediately. 

Compiled by Lorne Russell 2005