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BRIDGE BITES  #38

      

 

THE ANTI-BATH COUP

                                                                     Brian Gunnell

 

The Bath Coup is well known by now:

 

                                    865

                KQT94                      73

                                    AJ2

 

West leads the King and Declarer craftily ducks.  Now if West continues he gives Declarer a second trick in the suit.  The rule for East here, when holding Jxx, is to encourage with his higher spot card, hopefully that agreement will save West from the ignominy of the Bath Coup.  The following deal has a twist on that, the so-called “Anti-Bath Coup.

 

♠ KJT

865

72

♣ AQT96

       Dummy

 

West            East

 

      Declarer

♠ AQ5

AJ2

A64

♣ J875

 

Against your 3NT contract West leads the K.  What are the dangers of taking your Ace immediately?