Defensive Strategies for Whist

Video Transcript

"Now the defense in Whist is not as predominate as it is, say, in the game of Bridge because in the game of Bridge the opposing team has the opening lead. The declarer or the person who names the trump in Strait Whist clearly has an advantage. They have the opening lead. So they can develop tricks in there. They have what's called the tempo factor, the timing is in their favor. However, if the defense happens to get in because their partner, the declarer threw them in or they had to take an ace or trump or something. Then it's important that they try to cash their high cards as quickly as possible. Take their aces, if you have king, queen, jack, you a have a natural sequence in a suit. It's advantageous for example, if you have queen, jack, ten of a suit. We don't really need to show it. You have queen, jack, ten, then you would lead the queen. That way if your partner has the king they don't climb up on it. So if you have good strong suits, ace, king; king, queen, jack; queen, jack, ten, try to cash those. One bit of advice, don't lead trump for the opponents. You're just accommodating them. If you happen to have a good strong trump suit of your own because again it's not completely a scientific game. He calls a trump and you say "Oh, my God, I've got five of them!" Well, if you get in the lead don't lead trump for them because your trump leaders are always going to be as good as gold where as a long side suit isn't. So, when you?re playing defense, try to work with your partner, hold on to your trump if you happen to have good ones, remember the cards that are good, and take a shot at setting it. No just because somebody bids three or bids two or what have you. That doesn't mean that they automatically are going to make it. Make the effort to try to defend it, you'll be rewarded by picking up points."