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A Grosvenor ("GROHV-ner") Gambit is an intentional misplay of a hand aimed to psychologically upset one's opponents. It can be employed by declarer and defenders alike, but this description focuses on the defense.


Example

This example comes from the original Bridge World article describing fictional occurrences of the gambit.






West
SQJ7632
H75
D106
CAK9





North
S108
HJ3
DA873
CJ8764





South
SAK5
HAK10962
DKQ4
C2





East
S94
HQ84
DJ952
CQ1053






South declares 6H and West leads his two top clubs. After ruffing the second, South cashes his two top spades and ruffs a third spade with dummy's HJ.

East could overruff with the HQ to immediately set the contract, but discards instead. Now South incorrectly assumes that West has the queen, and cashes the top trumps. East scores the HQ after all, and presumably upsets South with his antics.

See also

  • Grosvenor Gambit (article)
    The original Bridge World article on the Grosvenor Gambit.

  • Idiot Coup
    A defensive play that entices declarer to play the hand as though the defenders were idiots.