ACBL32 – Declarer: Bath Coup Ward Trumbull
Aug 15, 2011
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When an opponent (usually the opening lead) leads the king of a suit, indicating that he/she also has the queen in that suit, the declarer may
execute a “hold up” play known as the Bath Coup.
In a Bath Coup, the declarer has both the ace and jack in the suit being lead, and endeavors to take tricks with both the ace and jack.
Example 1: North
4 3 2
West East
K Q 10 9 7 6 5
South
A J 8
If the declarer takes the king lead with his/her ace, the jack will eventually lose to west’s queen. However, if the declarer holds up on the ace (Bath Coup) , and LHO continues with the queen: declarer will take the queen with his/her ace and later also win a trick with the jack.
West can defeat the Bath Coup by paying attention to his/her partner’s
low card on the trick. Low being an attitude signal that partner does not have the jack.
Example 2: North
A 3 2
West East
K Q 10 9 7 6 5
South
J 8 4
A Bath Coup would also be applicable on this suit if the king were lead.
If east had something like 4 9 jack in that suit, he/she must signal with the
nine. If so, west could then continue with the queen.
ACBL32 – Declarer: Bath Coup Aug 15, 2011
Page 2 of 2
Example 3: North
A J 8
West East
K Q 10 9 7 6 5
South
4 3 2
This is not a Bath Coup situation because the queen is not behind the jack. Declarer should take his/her ace and later should get the jack because it is behind the queen.
Example 4: North
J 4 3
West East
K Q 10 9 7 6 5
South
A 8 2
This too is not a Bath Coup because the jack is behind the queen. Take the king with the ace.
Example 5: North North North North
4 3 2 10 4 3 A 4 3 A 10 4
South South South South
A J 10 A J 2 J 10 2 J 3 2
These too are not Bath Coup situations because the declarer has the 10 in the suit. The first two are variations on example 1. The last 2 are variations on example 2. In all four cases, declarer should take the king with his/her ace. A trick will be lost to the opponent’s queen, but declarer will eventually get the jack or 10.