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

See Examples For:

endplay

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

But now declarer ruffed a club in his hand and led a trump to endplay West.

From New York Times ● Jul. 16, 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

West could have won with his ace and shifted to a diamond, but declarer then could have won with the jack, cashed his three spade tricks and exited with a heart to endplay the opponents.

From New York Times ● Sep. 23, 2012

Then, knowing exactly what he was doing, Zach played a club to the ten and exited with the heart king to endplay East.

From New York Times ● Feb. 12, 2012