D2 NO TRUMP PLAY PRINCIPLES

1. INTRODUCTION
No trumps constitute around 30% of all contracts played by experienced players. 3NT is a very popular game since you need only 9 tricks for game.
In most no trump contracts, the defence play to establish their long suits and declarer does likewise. Once a suit is established, it can be 'cashed in' because there are no trumps.

2. BASIC TECHNIQUE
When dummy appears, count your top tricks. If you have enough for your contract, run for home, win those tricks and get on to the next hand!

Normally you don't have enough top tricks. Examine your combined assets and look for a source of extra tricks. This will normally be in your longest suit. Play to set up that suit. When you have enough tricks, then play out all your winners.

Extra tricks may come from;
a) forcing out high cards
b) finessing, e.g. playing up to the Q in an A Q combination
c) establishing 'long' cards. e.g. 9 8 7 6 4 opposite 10 3 2 could yield 2 tricks if opponents cards break 3/2 e.g. A Q opposite K J 5.

Do not play out a few aces and kings in your shorter suits and then wonder what to do next. It will probably be too late! By playing your short suits, you establish 'long cards' in opponents hands There are no trumps and when they get in they will cash these winning cards. Do your thinking at trick one.

AS A GENERAL PRINCIPLE, ONLY PLAY ALL YOUR WINNERS IN YOUR SHORTER SUITS WHEN YOU HAVE ESTABLISHED ENOUGH TRICKS FOR YOUR CONTRACT.

Note exception; Sometimes you may need to get into the right hand to play your long suit and the only way might be to use an ace or king in a shorter suit.

3. PRESERVATION OF YOUR ENTRIES
If you have to lose a trick to establish a suit, e.g. A K 6 5 4 opposite 8 7 2, it will normally be wise to lose the first trick. If the suit 'breaks' 3/2, e.g. opponents have Q J 10 opposite 9 3, the suit will provide 4 tricks. After losing the first trick, then the suit will be set up for you and if you had no other 'entries' you still have the ace and king remaining to get over and cash your winners. This technique is called 'ducking' the first trick.

4. EXHAUSTING OPPONENTS ENTRIES
If East, one of your opponents, attacks one of your weak suits, e.g. § A 6 5 opposite § 8 7, it is probably wise to postpone winning your Ace for two rounds If West has only 3 clubs, then he won't have any winning clubs to return to his partner if he should get in later. Assuming East has the 'long' clubs, then you should try to lose tricks to West if possible when setting up your suits.