Pin (bridge)

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This article concerns contract bridge and uses terminology associated with the game. See Contract bridge glossary for an explanation of unfamiliar words or phrases.

In bridge, whist and similar games, the term pin refers to the lead of a higher card from one hand to capture a singleton of lower rank in an opponent's hand.

[edit] Example

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

South wants five tricks from this suit. If the opponents' cards split 3-2 and they defend rationally, South must lose at least one trick. A singleton king won't help South, but if East holds the singleton jack then South can lead the queen, pinning the jack. Note that in this example the lead must come from South to pick up all five tricks.

The tactic is also available to the defense, but it is more difficult to find when declarer holds the singleton.