The hold-up play is common in bridge. It can be used by both the declarer and the defenders. Most often, it is used to disrupt communications between the two opposing hands. In today’s deal, it is used to keep communications open.
South’s pass over the double denied three spades, so North settled for game in no trump. South played low from dummy on the opening heart lead, and East made the key defensive play of playing low from his hand, allowing dummy’s 10 to win the trick. Declarer led a low spade to his jack and continued with the ace of spades after the 10 fell from East on the first spade.
South cashed one high diamond and then led a low club toward dummy’s king. West stepped up with his ace and continued with a heart to dummy’s now singleton ace. Declarer now had three spade tricks, two heart tricks, one club and two diamonds. He needed one more and the only real chance was the diamond finesse. When that lost to West’s queen, West led his remaining heart to East’s king. Two more heart tricks from East and the contract was defeated. Nice defense!
