Declarer, Dummy, and Defenders

In every bridge hand, there is one declarer, one dummy and two defenders. The dummy puts their hand on the table after the opening lead. Their partner is the declarer and tells them what to play. Dummy should not make suggestions about what to play. The other two players are defenders. Let᾿s take a look at what a bridge deal looks like from declarer᾿s point of view.

Here Declarer is South, at the bottom of the page. Diagrams in webpages, books, and newspaper columns are usually arranged this way.

Declarer tells Dummy what to play. Dummy should wait for declarer, even if there is only one card left in the suit led. Dummy should not suggest a play or try and guide declarer. When you are the dummy, it is a good time to get a drink or stretch your legs. Declarer or one of the opponents can manage the dummy. The dummy can refer to the person, or to their cards on the table.

Declarer can use shorthand when telling Dummy what to play. “Ruff”, “Ruff high”, “Small spade”, “High Spade”, “High“, “Low“, and “Cover“ would all be valid instructions. “Ruff” would mean to play the smallest trump. “Ruff high” would mean to play the highest trump. “Small spade” would mean to play the smallest spade in dummy. “High spade” would mean the highest. “High“ and “Low“ mean to play the highest or lowest card of the suit led. “Cover“ tells dummy to play the lowest card that is above any card already played. If Dummy must follow suit, you can omit the suit. “Play the seven” or just “seven”.

When playing with physical cards, the dummy should be sorted into columns of suits, with the highest cards at the top of the columns. If there is a trump, it should go on Dummy᾿s right, (Declarer᾿s left). Here is an example:

This is what the cards look like to declarer. For dummy they are rotated. Note that clubs are on the right in the above deal. This means either clubs are trump or there is no trump suit.