Second Hand High, Third Hand Not So High

“Second hand low” and “third hand high” are adages we learned in Bridge 101 along with others like “cover an honor with an honor” and “always return your partner’s suit.” These so-called rules will get you by, but they won’t see you very far. Second hand must become familiar with certain basic positions to try to foil declarer’s plans, often by playing second hand high. Likewise, many contracts are decided by the play of third hand at trick one. While your play may at first seem so obvious, a little thought may help you find the right card. Being a slave to either “second hand low” or “third hand high” can only lead you down the road to many disasters. Take time to review what you know from the bidding. Think about the hand type. Does it call for passive or aggressive defense? Hopefully after reading the examples in this book you will become more attuned to the variety of options available. The hands are placed in chapters by themes, but of course there is some overlap. We’re sure you will recognize situations from your own experiences at the table. We’re sure after reading this book you will be more attuned to becoming a thinking bridge player, and less a player just following old nursery rhymes.

Dr James Marsh Sternberg is a radiologist in Palm Beach Gardens Florida & Professor of Radiology at two northern universities. He currently teaches bridge in Florida. He has won several North American National Championships and has written extensively for many bridge publications. He is the author of “Trump Suit Headaches; Rx for Declarers and Defenders”, “Playing to Trick One”, “Finesses, Only a Last Resort”, and “Blocking and Unblocking.” “Dr J” lives in Palm Beach Gardens with Vickie Bader. He can be reached at mmay001@aol.com.

Danny Kleinman is a world class bridge player, backgammon expert, author, and teacher. He has improved the game for an innumerable number of students and authored more bridge and backgammon books than could be listed here. He prides himself however, mainly as a song writer. Danny Kleinman lives and in Los Angeles. He can be reached at dannyk13@ca.rr.com

paperback; 2022; 177 pages