The following is a simplified double-dummy illustration of a scissors coup:
Dummy | ||||
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West | ![]() | East | ||
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![]() | Declarer | ![]() | ||
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Hearts are trumps and West is on lead. Only two red suit losers appear to exist. However, say South wins the A
J
Better for South to win the
In his book "Reese on Play", Terence Reese provides this example of a scissors coup. 1 It features a strategically timed loser rather than a loser-on-loser maneuver.
South next tried ruffing a low spade in dummy, but West ruffed with the
Had South led the
1 Reese, Terence (2001). Reese on Play.
A
A
A. Whether West returns a heart or diamond, South is guaranteed two tricks with the
KQT.
Example
North 76
J652
West 84
East Q4
T7632
T852
KQ74
AT983
J965
South —
J54
AKJ93
AQ98
—
AKQT732
K
South landed in 5 doubled and received the
K
9
A.
K
A,
K
References
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