Holdup Play

A hold-up play occurs when declarer purposely refrains from winning a trick in a suit led by the defense. This is done in an effort to disrupt the defense's timing or communication.

		North
		65
		K74
West		AQJ87		East
KQJT9		632		842
Q632				J98
65		South		K43
JT		A73		Q974
		AT5
		T92
		AK85

In this deal, South opens the bidding with 1NT, and West makes an light DONT overcall of 2 that shows both majors. South eventually winds up in 3NT.

West leads the K. Diamonds must be established to make the contract. Even if the diamond finesse loses, South can count 9 total tricks: 1 spade, 2 hearts, 4 diamonds and 2 clubs.

The contract is guaranteed if spades are 4-4 or the diamond finesse works. However, danger exists if spades are 5-3 and the K is offside, as in the above layout.

Should South grab the first trick and finesse in diamonds, East will win and return a spade to beat the contract. It would be better for South to hold up the A twice, just in case the spades split 5-3.

Upon winning the third spade, South can safely finesse in diamonds. East will take the king but will not have a spade left. South can win any return and cash his winners.