{"id":128599,"date":"2026-04-07T09:00:00","date_gmt":"2026-04-07T08:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/?p=128599"},"modified":"2026-03-30T16:07:06","modified_gmt":"2026-03-30T15:07:06","slug":"lebely-04-26","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/","title":{"rendered":"Step-by-Step Defensive Play"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-103540\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576-300x169.jpg 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576-768x432.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-9f09c73\" data-block-id=\"9f09c73\"><style>.stk-9f09c73 .stk--block-align-9f09c73{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-9f09c73 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-9f09c73-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-562b357\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"562b357\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-562b357-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-562b357-inner-blocks\">\n<p><strong>Interclubs Division 1, National Final <\/strong><em>(Saint-Cloud, September 2018).<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>West deals, East-West vulnerable. You are sitting East with the following hand, and the opponents reach 4&#x2660; after a very straightforward auction:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Your partner leads the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span>K, <\/strong>and you see the dummy:<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-2d14e53\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"2d14e53\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-2d14e53-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-2d14e53-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"796\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hand_EN-27-796x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128604\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hand_EN-27-796x1024.png 796w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hand_EN-27-233x300.png 233w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hand_EN-27-768x988.png 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hand_EN-27.png 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 796px) 100vw, 796px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-93c87d7\" data-block-id=\"93c87d7\"><style>.stk-93c87d7 .stk--block-align-93c87d7{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-93c87d7 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-93c87d7-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-5eaa29a\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"5eaa29a\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-5eaa29a-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-5eaa29a-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"762\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-1-18.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128605\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-1-18.png 1000w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-1-18-300x229.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-1-18-768x585.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-fa5d559\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"fa5d559\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-fa5d559-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-fa5d559-inner-blocks\">\n<p>South wins the &#x2660;A and continues with the &#x2660;5, <strong>taken by your king.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What do you return?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Clearly, the fewer suits you open up, the better off you\u2019ll be. Accordingly, you return the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span>3, confirming to your partner that you originally held four hearts.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>South plays the jack, which is taken by West\u2019s queen, who continues with the <strong>same neutral approach by leading a trump <\/strong>from hand with the jack. You discard the <span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span>3, showing an odd number, and declarer wins the trick with the &#x2660;Q.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>At the next trick, he leads the <span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span>5: West plays the <span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span>9, dummy the king, and you the <span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span>6. When he continues with the <span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span>2, you follow with the <span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span>8, taken by the ace <strong>(you now see the queen with West), and you gain the lead with the <span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span>J on the third round of the suit (your partner having discarded the <span style=\"color: #ff0000;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span>2). You are left with hearts, diamonds, and clubs.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-9af6571\" data-block-id=\"9af6571\"><style>.stk-9af6571 {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Which suit do you return?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<p>A <strong>heart<\/strong> or a <strong>club<\/strong> would give declarer a <strong>ruff-and-discard<\/strong>, so your first instinct is to <strong>shift to a diamond<\/strong>. However, there\u2019s no need to rush\u2014<strong>reconstruct South\u2019s distribution<\/strong> before committing to that suit.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-4e82319\" data-block-id=\"4e82319\"><style>.stk-4e82319 {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>What do you notice?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Declarer originally held <strong>four spades, two hearts, three clubs, and therefore four diamonds<\/strong>. Suddenly, the solution becomes clear, as it did to Yves Jeanneteau: not only will giving a <strong>ruff-and-discard<\/strong> not cost you anything, but it is actually the defense that will defeat <strong>4&#x2660;<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Since West holds the <strong><span style=\"color: #ff6f00;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2666;<\/span>Q third<\/strong>, declarer will have to concede <strong>one spade, one heart, one club, and\u2026 one diamond<\/strong>\u2014the setting trick. Leading a diamond earlier would have <strong>handed the contract<\/strong> to declarer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-9cb8bb7\" data-block-id=\"9cb8bb7\"><style>.stk-9cb8bb7 {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>The four hands<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-8579b0f\" data-block-id=\"8579b0f\"><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-8579b0f-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-87fa4a9\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"87fa4a9\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-87fa4a9 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 25% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-87fa4a9-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-87fa4a9-inner-blocks\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-b46da78\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"b46da78\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-b46da78 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 50% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-b46da78-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-b46da78-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"933\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-25-933x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128607\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-25-933x1024.png 933w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-25-273x300.png 273w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-25-768x843.png 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Diagram_EN-25.png 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 933px) 100vw, 933px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-1f2ddb3\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"1f2ddb3\"><style>@media screen and (min-width:690px){.stk-1f2ddb3 {flex:var(--stk-flex-grow, 1) 1 25% !important;}}<\/style><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-1f2ddb3-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-1f2ddb3-inner-blocks\"><\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-2c3e88f\" data-block-id=\"2c3e88f\"><style>.stk-2c3e88f {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Epilogue: Could 4&#x2660; have been made on the actual layout?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes. After winning the &#x2660;Q, South should have cashed the <strong><span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span>A-K<\/strong> and <strong><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6f00;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2666;<\/span><\/strong>A-K<\/strong> before putting West in with the <strong><strong><span style=\"color: #ff6f00;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2666;<\/span><\/strong>Q<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Out of clubs, your partner would then have had to return a heart, and declarer could simply <strong>discard a club from one hand and ruff in the other<\/strong>, losing only three tricks and making the game.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-e47cd9f\" data-block-id=\"e47cd9f\"><style>.stk-e47cd9f {height:30px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Variations on a Deal<\/strong> &#8211; <strong>What is your call as West?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-dc1305c\" data-block-id=\"dc1305c\"><style>.stk-dc1305c {height:15px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-228e308\" data-block-id=\"228e308\"><style>.stk-228e308 .stk--block-align-228e308{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-228e308 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-228e308-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-612aaba\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"612aaba\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-612aaba-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-612aaba-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"858\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hand_EN-1-9-858x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128608\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hand_EN-1-9-858x1024.png 858w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hand_EN-1-9-251x300.png 251w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hand_EN-1-9-768x917.png 768w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Hand_EN-1-9.png 1000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 858px) 100vw, 858px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-3e767b5\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"3e767b5\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-3e767b5-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-3e767b5-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-expand stk-block-expand stk-block stk-bbcae42\" data-block-id=\"bbcae42\"><div class=\"stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-f81b6a7 stk-block-expand__short-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-block-id=\"f81b6a7\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__show-button stk-block stk-ecab306\" data-block-id=\"ecab306\"><a aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Read the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-401e528 stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"401e528\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Over 1<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong>, you should raise partner directly to 3<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong>, showing four-card support and 11\u201312 HCP.<\/strong><br>Going through <strong>1&#x2660;<\/strong> would be a mistake because, in modern methods, a subsequent raise to <strong>3<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong><\/strong> (1<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong>\u20131&#x2660;\u20132<span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span>\u20133<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong>) would be a <strong>slam try<\/strong>, showing a hand such as <strong>&#x2660;AQJ108 <strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong>KQ87 <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2666;<\/span>10 <span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span>A103<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__hide-button stk-block stk-75eeb25\" data-block-id=\"75eeb25\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Close the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-e1ceeb9\" data-block-id=\"e1ceeb9\"><style>.stk-e1ceeb9 .stk--block-align-e1ceeb9{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-e1ceeb9 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-e1ceeb9-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-3885c84\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"3885c84\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-3885c84-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-3885c84-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"594\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-30.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128609\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-30.png 1000w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-30-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-30-768x456.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-41d2014\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"41d2014\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-41d2014-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-41d2014-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-expand stk-block-expand stk-block stk-a8343ab\" data-block-id=\"a8343ab\"><div class=\"stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-16eb4c1 stk-block-expand__short-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-block-id=\"16eb4c1\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__show-button stk-block stk-82cb231\" data-block-id=\"82cb231\"><a aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Read the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-a5939be stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"a5939be\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Drury.<\/strong> Facing a <strong>1<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong> opening that may be light<\/strong>, since it was made in third seat, a direct <strong>3<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong><\/strong> response after a passed hand would be preemptive, based on a <strong>nine-card fit<\/strong> (&#x2660;QJ108 <strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong>K974 <span style=\"color: #ff6600;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2666;<\/span>10 <span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span>10432), anticipating possible balancing action from the opponents.<br>Here, after a <strong>2<span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span> Drury<\/strong>, you will jump to <strong>3<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong><\/strong> over East\u2019s <strong>ambiguous 2<span style=\"color: #ff6600;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2666;<\/span> rebid<\/strong> to show your <strong>four-card heart support unambiguously<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__hide-button stk-block stk-9c70562\" data-block-id=\"9c70562\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Close the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-50f708c\" data-block-id=\"50f708c\"><style>.stk-50f708c .stk--block-align-50f708c{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-50f708c stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-50f708c-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-e5984a2\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"e5984a2\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-e5984a2-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-e5984a2-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"594\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-1-12.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128611\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-1-12.png 1000w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-1-12-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-1-12-768x456.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-955bfea\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"955bfea\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-955bfea-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-955bfea-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-expand stk-block-expand stk-block stk-eaf26c9\" data-block-id=\"eaf26c9\"><div class=\"stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-1b43955 stk-block-expand__short-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-block-id=\"1b43955\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__show-button stk-block stk-6ce51bf\" data-block-id=\"6ce51bf\"><a aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Read the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-9e2e02c stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"9e2e02c\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Negative Double.<\/strong> This allows you to explore a possible <strong>heart contract<\/strong> without taking your <strong>spade stoppers<\/strong> into account for the time being.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__hide-button stk-block stk-f67c22d\" data-block-id=\"f67c22d\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Close the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-c1176d7\" data-block-id=\"c1176d7\"><style>.stk-c1176d7 .stk--block-align-c1176d7{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-c1176d7 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-c1176d7-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-71c192b\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"71c192b\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-71c192b-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-71c192b-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"594\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-2-11.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128612\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-2-11.png 1000w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-2-11-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-2-11-768x456.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-1badc69\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"1badc69\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-1badc69-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-1badc69-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-expand stk-block-expand stk-block stk-a72b93f\" data-block-id=\"a72b93f\"><div class=\"stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-0614535 stk-block-expand__short-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-block-id=\"0614535\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__show-button stk-block stk-897e096\" data-block-id=\"897e096\"><a aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Read the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-37a42b3 stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"37a42b3\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Truscott.<\/strong> After a <strong>takeout double<\/strong>, a bid of <strong>3&#x2660;<\/strong> would be preemptive.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__hide-button stk-block stk-b3979e5\" data-block-id=\"b3979e5\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Close the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-d3de39b\" data-block-id=\"d3de39b\"><style>.stk-d3de39b .stk--block-align-d3de39b{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-d3de39b stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-d3de39b-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-a82a483\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"a82a483\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-a82a483-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-a82a483-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"594\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-3-10.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128613\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-3-10.png 1000w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-3-10-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-3-10-768x456.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-a9eeadf\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"a9eeadf\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-a9eeadf-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-a9eeadf-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-expand stk-block-expand stk-block stk-665b41e\" data-block-id=\"665b41e\"><div class=\"stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-7f4e3ba stk-block-expand__short-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-block-id=\"7f4e3ba\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__show-button stk-block stk-63c5af9\" data-block-id=\"63c5af9\"><a aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Read the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-ee395bf stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"ee395bf\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">Here, with only 10 HCP, game is far from certain. Moreover, your hand is well placed behind the takeout doubler, with good values in both four-card majors. You can therefore adopt a <strong>penalty-oriented approach<\/strong> by redoubling first, then doubling the opponents when they bid spades or hearts. However, bidding <strong>1<strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong><\/strong> would not be unreasonable.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__hide-button stk-block stk-1569fe4\" data-block-id=\"1569fe4\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Close the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-79725e2\" data-block-id=\"79725e2\"><style>.stk-79725e2 .stk--block-align-79725e2{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-79725e2 stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-79725e2-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-aa2e506\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"aa2e506\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-aa2e506-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-aa2e506-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"594\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-4-6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128614\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-4-6.png 1000w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-4-6-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-4-6-768x456.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-4d14314\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"4d14314\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-4d14314-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-4d14314-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-expand stk-block-expand stk-block stk-463f84e\" data-block-id=\"463f84e\"><div class=\"stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-70c3650 stk-block-expand__short-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-block-id=\"70c3650\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__show-button stk-block stk-ce2f0e7\" data-block-id=\"ce2f0e7\"><a aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Read the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-e6f7027 stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"e6f7027\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><strong>Cue-bid.<\/strong> Facing a <strong>takeout double<\/strong>, a cue-bid shows two types of hands:<br>\u203a <strong>Case (a):<\/strong> 8\u201310 HCP with both four-card majors<br>\u203a <strong>Case (b):<\/strong> 11\u201312+ HCP, with no natural bid available, with or without both four-card majors<br><br><strong>How does partner tell the difference?<\/strong><br>It\u2019s simple: if partner bids <strong>2<strong><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> or <strong>2&#x2660;<\/strong> over <strong>2<span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span><\/strong>, a raise to <strong>3<strong><strong><span style=\"color: #ff0101;\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2665;<\/span><\/strong><\/strong><\/strong> or <strong>3&#x2660;<\/strong> is <strong>non-forcing<\/strong> (case a), and partner will know how to proceed.<br>Otherwise, with a <strong>strong cue-bid<\/strong> (case b), you either raise to <strong>game<\/strong> or make a <strong>game-forcing new suit bid<\/strong>.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__hide-button stk-block stk-3e3b8ca\" data-block-id=\"3e3b8ca\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Close the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-columns stk-block-columns stk-block stk-04db31f\" data-block-id=\"04db31f\"><style>.stk-04db31f .stk--block-align-04db31f{align-items:center !important;}<\/style><div class=\"stk-row stk-inner-blocks stk--block-align-04db31f stk-block-content stk-content-align stk-04db31f-column\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-c87008d\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"c87008d\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-c87008d-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-c87008d-inner-blocks\">\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1000\" height=\"594\" src=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-5-6.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-128615\" srcset=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-5-6.png 1000w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-5-6-300x178.png 300w, https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Bids_EN-5-6-768x456.png 768w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1000px) 100vw, 1000px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-column stk-block-column stk-column stk-block stk-1352a90\" data-v=\"4\" data-block-id=\"1352a90\"><div class=\"stk-column-wrapper stk-block-column__content stk-container stk-1352a90-container stk--no-background stk--no-padding\"><div class=\"stk-block-content stk-inner-blocks stk-1352a90-inner-blocks\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-expand stk-block-expand stk-block stk-1e1f43d\" data-block-id=\"1e1f43d\"><div class=\"stk-inner-blocks stk-block-content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-9662526 stk-block-expand__short-text\" aria-hidden=\"false\" data-block-id=\"9662526\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\"><\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__show-button stk-block stk-6419476\" data-block-id=\"6419476\"><a aria-hidden=\"false\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"false\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Read the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-text stk-block-text stk-block stk-a239196 stk-block-expand__more-text\" aria-hidden=\"true\" data-block-id=\"a239196\"><p class=\"stk-block-text__text\">A cue-bid after a passed hand shows at least four-card support in a major and around <strong>10 HCP<\/strong>, since <strong>Drury is no longer available after an overcall by second hand<\/strong>. A bid of <strong>2<span style=\"color: var(--paletteColor2, #00aa00);\" class=\"stk-highlight\">&#x2663;<\/span><\/strong> would be natural, showing <strong>a good six-card suit<\/strong>, no fit in partner\u2019s major, and would therefore be <strong>non-forcing<\/strong>, given the initial pass.<\/p><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-button stk-block-button is-style-link stk-block-expand__hide-button stk-block stk-e4e80ed\" data-block-id=\"e4e80ed\"><a aria-hidden=\"true\" role=\"button\" aria-expanded=\"true\" class=\"stk-link stk-button stk--hover-effect-darken\" href=\"#\"><span class=\"stk-button__inner-text\">Close the solution<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-stackable-spacer stk-block-spacer stk--no-padding stk-block stk-a6b3e65\" data-block-id=\"a6b3e65\"><style>.stk-a6b3e65 {height:50px !important;}<\/style><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What did you think of this article by Norbert L\u00e9bely?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Share your thoughts in the comments section below!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Defending against 4&#x2660;: which suit do you lead?<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":30,"featured_media":103540,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[14923],"tags":[14443],"access":[13331,13334],"class_list":["post-128599","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bridge-lessons","tag-bridge-lesson","access-premium-en","access-premium-plus-en"],"blocksy_meta":{"styles_descriptor":{"styles":{"desktop":"","tablet":"","mobile":""},"google_fonts":[],"version":5}},"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v26.3 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Step-by-Step Defensive Play - Blog Funbridge<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"fr_FR\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Step-by-Step Defensive Play - Blog Funbridge\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Defending against 4&#x2660;: which suit do you lead?\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Blog Funbridge\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Funbridge\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-04-07T08:00:00+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"576\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Norbert L\u00e9bely\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@funbridge\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@funbridge\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"\u00c9crit par\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Norbert L\u00e9bely\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Dur\u00e9e de lecture estim\u00e9e\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"4 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"Article\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/#article\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/\"},\"author\":{\"name\":\"Norbert L\u00e9bely\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2be6fb509975a2dedb2c9e3627db4981\"},\"headline\":\"Step-by-Step Defensive Play\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-07T08:00:00+00:00\",\"mainEntityOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/\"},\"wordCount\":821,\"commentCount\":1,\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576.jpg\",\"keywords\":[\"bridge-lesson\"],\"articleSection\":[\"Bridge Lessons\"],\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"CommentAction\",\"name\":\"Comment\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/#respond\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/\",\"name\":\"Step-by-Step Defensive Play - Blog Funbridge\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2026-04-07T08:00:00+00:00\",\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576.jpg\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576.jpg\",\"width\":1024,\"height\":576},{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Blog Funbridge\",\"description\":\"Toute l&#039;actualit\u00e9 du bridge et de FunBridge en un clin d&#039;\u0153il\",\"publisher\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#organization\"},\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":{\"@type\":\"PropertyValueSpecification\",\"valueRequired\":true,\"valueName\":\"search_term_string\"}}],\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\"},{\"@type\":\"Organization\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#organization\",\"name\":\"Funbridge\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/\",\"logo\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Funbridge_Blog.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Funbridge_Blog.png\",\"width\":610,\"height\":148,\"caption\":\"Funbridge\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/\"},\"sameAs\":[\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Funbridge\/\",\"https:\/\/x.com\/funbridge\"]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2be6fb509975a2dedb2c9e3627db4981\",\"name\":\"Norbert L\u00e9bely\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"fr-FR\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/cropped-Norbert-Lebely-2.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/cropped-Norbert-Lebely-2.png\",\"caption\":\"Norbert L\u00e9bely\"},\"description\":\"Professeur de bridge passionn\u00e9 de p\u00e9dagogie, Norbert L\u00e9bely a collabor\u00e9 \u00e0 la r\u00e9daction de plusieurs best-sellers, notamment la collection des \\\"Pas \u00e0 Pas\\\" et la s\u00e9rie \\\"Les Clefs du bridge\\\" avec Robert Berthe et la s\u00e9rie des \\\"Bien ench\u00e9rir\\\" avec Michel Bessis. Depuis quelques ann\u00e9es, il se consacre \u00e0 la cr\u00e9ation des logiciels \\\"Pas \u00e0 Pas en action\\\". Photo \u00a9 Caroline Moreau.\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/author\/nlebely\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Step-by-Step Defensive Play - Blog Funbridge","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/","og_locale":"fr_FR","og_type":"article","og_title":"Step-by-Step Defensive Play - Blog Funbridge","og_description":"Defending against 4&#x2660;: which suit do you lead?","og_url":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/","og_site_name":"Blog Funbridge","article_publisher":"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Funbridge\/","article_published_time":"2026-04-07T08:00:00+00:00","og_image":[{"width":1024,"height":576,"url":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576.jpg","type":"image\/jpeg"}],"author":"Norbert L\u00e9bely","twitter_card":"summary_large_image","twitter_creator":"@funbridge","twitter_site":"@funbridge","twitter_misc":{"\u00c9crit par":"Norbert L\u00e9bely","Dur\u00e9e de lecture estim\u00e9e":"4 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/#article","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/"},"author":{"name":"Norbert L\u00e9bely","@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2be6fb509975a2dedb2c9e3627db4981"},"headline":"Step-by-Step Defensive Play","datePublished":"2026-04-07T08:00:00+00:00","mainEntityOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/"},"wordCount":821,"commentCount":1,"publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#organization"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576.jpg","keywords":["bridge-lesson"],"articleSection":["Bridge Lessons"],"inLanguage":"fr-FR","potentialAction":[{"@type":"CommentAction","name":"Comment","target":["https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/#respond"]}]},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/","url":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/","name":"Step-by-Step Defensive Play - Blog Funbridge","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/#primaryimage"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/#primaryimage"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576.jpg","datePublished":"2026-04-07T08:00:00+00:00","inLanguage":"fr-FR","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/"]}]},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"fr-FR","@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/en\/lebely-04-26\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576.jpg","contentUrl":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Header_Step-by-Step_Red-Orange-2-1024x576.jpg","width":1024,"height":576},{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/","name":"Blog Funbridge","description":"Toute l&#039;actualit\u00e9 du bridge et de FunBridge en un clin d&#039;\u0153il","publisher":{"@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#organization"},"potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":{"@type":"PropertyValueSpecification","valueRequired":true,"valueName":"search_term_string"}}],"inLanguage":"fr-FR"},{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#organization","name":"Funbridge","url":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"fr-FR","@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Funbridge_Blog.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/Funbridge_Blog.png","width":610,"height":148,"caption":"Funbridge"},"image":{"@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/logo\/image\/"},"sameAs":["https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/Funbridge\/","https:\/\/x.com\/funbridge"]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2be6fb509975a2dedb2c9e3627db4981","name":"Norbert L\u00e9bely","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"fr-FR","@id":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/www.funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/cropped-Norbert-Lebely-2.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/cropped-Norbert-Lebely-2.png","caption":"Norbert L\u00e9bely"},"description":"Professeur de bridge passionn\u00e9 de p\u00e9dagogie, Norbert L\u00e9bely a collabor\u00e9 \u00e0 la r\u00e9daction de plusieurs best-sellers, notamment la collection des \"Pas \u00e0 Pas\" et la s\u00e9rie \"Les Clefs du bridge\" avec Robert Berthe et la s\u00e9rie des \"Bien ench\u00e9rir\" avec Michel Bessis. Depuis quelques ann\u00e9es, il se consacre \u00e0 la cr\u00e9ation des logiciels \"Pas \u00e0 Pas en action\". Photo \u00a9 Caroline Moreau.","url":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/author\/nlebely\/"}]}},"lang":"en","translations":{"en":128599,"fr":128471},"language":"en","pll_sync_post":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128599","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/30"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=128599"}],"version-history":[{"count":29,"href":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128599\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":128639,"href":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128599\/revisions\/128639"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/103540"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128599"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=128599"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128599"},{"taxonomy":"access","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/funbridge.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/access?post=128599"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}