endplay

American  

[end-pley] / ˈɛndˌpleɪ /

noun

1. any play, usually near the end of a contract, that puts one of the opposing players in the lead and forces the opponents to lose one or more tricks that they would have won if their side had not been leading.

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verb (used with object)

1. to put into the lead by an endplay.

endplay British  

/ ˈɛndˌpleɪ /

noun

1. a way of playing the last few tricks in a hand so that an opponent is forced to make a particular lead

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verb

1. to force (an opponent) to make a particular lead near the end of a hand

   declarer endplayed West for the jack of spades

Etymology

Origin of endplay

First recorded in 1930–35; end ¹ + play

Example Sentences

As the cards lay, declarer could have exited with dummy’s last diamond to endplay East in the black suits.

From New York Times • Jul. 23, 2014

East won, but could do no better than to return a heart to endplay the dummy.

From New York Times • Apr. 20, 2014

Instead, though, he led a spade to dummy’s ace and cashed the diamond king, planning to endplay East with a diamond and hoping that he would have to lead away from the club ace.

From New York Times • Apr. 4, 2014

To defeat three no-trump, West had to lead a high club, then continue with a low club at Trick 2, which would have cut South’s communication for the heart endplay.

From New York Times • Jul. 26, 2013

But now declarer led his club to endplay East for a diamond lead into dummy’s ace-queen.

From New York Times • May 30, 2012