Which card to play

The typical structure of a trick is a low card led, second card low, third card high, fourth card either higher or lowest. This issue we look at plays by the third-hand. As noted, the third player should normally play high; however they should play the cheaper of touching highest cards.

Exercise:Say Hearts are trumps and partner has led ♠2. Dummy has three small cards and plays low. Which one do you play from these:

Answer:
(a)    ♠A.Third hand high.
(b)    ♠K. Cheaper of touching highest cards.
(c)    ♠J. When partner sees ♠J win the trick, he can work out you have the higher spades (this is the logic of why you must win with the cheaper card).
(d)    ♠K. Third hand high.
(e)    ♠Q. Cheaper of the touching highest cards.