“Chasing an opponent around the board” is a maxim that players will often hear applied to wargames such as chess, backgammon, and checkers.

While it might be the fact that I haven’t had a night’s sleep to speak of in three days, I don’t think that I’ve heard people repeat the maxim nearly as often when it comes to bridge.

It can still be a useful means to an end.

When a player “chases” another, it might be done to distract. It might be playing for time, or it might be a way of making the best of a questionable hand. It might also just be something you’re in the mood for, and sometimes, it can really mess with an opponent’s set strategy.

But I also came to wonder, how would you “chase” another partnership around the table?

Here are 5 tricks great for the art of the chase.

1: Strength, Not Length

If it’s not about the size of the boat, it shouldn’t be about the length of the suit. If you don’t know what that means, ask your parents, and then proceed to the next paragraph. I’m happy to wait, kids.

Playing length (over strength) is so common that it has almost become an expected move.

So, don ‘t.

Just to confuse their next possible trick a little.

2: Waste Their Ace

If you suspect that your opponent has an Ace, your next task is to make sure they waste it.

An Ace out-of-hand means that you are down to the next best card from that. Draw out an opponent’s Aces when there’s an appropriate gap, and you might open up a path to more tricks for your own partnership.

3: Switch The Suit

A switch of suit – especially a sudden one – can be enough to shake an opponent’s predetermined idea of what they could have done with their cards. Switch suits if you want to chase (or at the very least, rattle) the opposing team.

It can, once again, be your unique opportunity to score a few tricks just with the element of surprise.

4: Lose A Trick

Grand Slams are pretty damn rare. That’s why they’re the subject of many bridge stories, legends, and internet posts.

Most of the time, you’re aiming for a good score, not a Grand Slam. Is a baseball player aiming for a home run every single time? Probably not, and you shouldn’t put that kind of pressure on your game either.

It’s okay to lose a trick.

Sometimes, when you’re hoping to waste a trick or two for your opposing partnership later in the game, losing a trick yourself can even be called useful.

5: Play Low (Sweet Chariot)

Here’s a strategy that I’m pretty sure isn’t advocated for in most bridge lessons: Play the lowest (or simply, worst) card that you have in your hand.

Playing your worst card in the worst possible situation to do it can be unexpected. That’s kind of the point.

Surprise, shock, or total confusion at a single move can be one more way to gain the upper-hand above the opposite partnership.

What techniques have you seen or used yourself to make bridge opponents run around the table, or mess up a few tricks?