BridgeHands

Merrimac Coup (Entry Killing Play) - A tactical play which prevents transportation between the declarer (Scissors Coup) or the defenders' (Merrimac Coup).

	4 3 5 4 2 A 3 K Q J 10 5 4
J 10 9 8 7 K 7 6 10 9 8 4 2	South: 3 NT	A 5 2 Q 10 9 8 K 6 5 A 9 3
	K Q 6 A J 3 Q J 7 2 8 7 6

West leads SJ, won by East's SA.

Aware of declarer's obvious strategy to win 5 Club tricks, East switches to DK to knock out North's DA.  While E/W sacrifice a Diamond, the Merrimac Coup prevents South from establishing dummy's Clubs.  East loses 2 Club tricks, winning the third Club, limiting Dummy to 2 Club winners, stranding 3 Club winners.  Thus, declarer is limited to 2 Spades, 1 Heart, 3 Diamonds, and 2 Clubs - one trick short of 3 Notrump game; this assumes partner West cooperates by pitching Spades on second and third Club play - saving the setting Diamond winner.