Cashout

Occurs when the defense cashes all the tricks which are currently set up for them.  At rubber bridge or IMP scoring, where the object of the defense is to defeat the contract, this technique is rarely used.  At tournament Match Point scoring however, the Cashout can make significant gains:

                                            N             S

                   AQ74                            1

                   JT86             1            1NT (15-17)

                   A732             3NT

                   8

92                                  863

753                                A942

9854                              T6

J743                              AK96

                   KJT5

                   KQ

                   KQJ

                   QT52

With no entries, West tries the 9 lead hoping to find partners suit.  South wins, and plays the K and Q, east ducking, then overtakes the J and leads the J, East winning, south pitching the 5.  What should East play now?

Double dummy we can see that a low club might hold the contract to making 3, but is this necessary?  East can see that most N/S pairs will play in 4 , making 5 for +450.  Holding 3NT to 4 will only be +430.  So East should Cashout the A and K  for an approximately 90% score.

Note that if East does lead a low club, and it turns out declarer was dealt QJxx, or guesses to put up the Queen, South would make 5NT for +460 and a score of approximately 10% for E/W. 

Compiled by Lorne Russell 2005