Just try to explain the concept of unblocking to a football player. Lots of luck! It’s a good practice in bridge. Here’s a standard definition: “Unblocking is the process of playing a higher card to establish enough entries to make the necessary tricks. It sometimes can involve playing a high card in one hand so tricks can be taken in the other hand.” — Google.
Here’s an example of how unblocking works — or doesn’t work. I was sitting East and dealing on an OK Bridge Internet hand, with North-South vulnerable:
NORTH
♠️ K 10 9 3
♥️ 7
♦️ 9 6
♣️ A Q 8 6 5 2
WEST EAST
♠️ 8 7 5 ♠️ A J 6 2
♥️ A10 9 8 5 ♥️ K J 4 3
♦️ Q 5 4 ♦️ J 3 2
♣️ K 9 ♣️ 10 7
SOUTH
♠️ Q 4
♥️ Q 6 2
♦️ A K 10 8 7
♣️ J 4 3
The bidding proceeded as follows:
East South West North
Pass 1♦️ 1♥️ DBL•
2♦️•• Pass 2♥️ 3♣️
Pass 3NT All Pass
• Shows at least four spades
• • Limit raise in hearts
Opening lead: ♥️10
I won the opening lead with the ♥️K and returned the ♥️3 to the ♥️9. Now partner cashed the ♥️A, dropping the ♥️Q, and led the ♥️5 to my ♥️J. Whoops! We never cashed the fifth heart.
Knowing partner had five hearts to my four, I should have unblocked with the ♥️J on Trick Two. Now, whether or not declarer puts up the ♥️Q, the suit can run out smoothly.
By the way, beware of bidding 3NT with queen-third in a suit both opponents have bid.
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