Unblock
Definition
A strategic play where a partner deliberately dumps a high card under their teammate's winner so they don't accidentally outrank the teammate on a future trick. Common when the partner holds, say, A♣ and the picker leads a club the partner can't beat without overtaking the picker's own winner.
Unblock in play
Unblocking is a partnership finesse: you deliberately play a high card under your teammate's winner so your card does not later get stranded above theirs and accidentally beat your own side. The classic case is holding a fail Ace your partner cannot beat, so you cash or shed it early rather than block the suit. It takes knowing who your teammate is, so it usually comes after the reveal.
Example
“Picker leads Q♣, partner unblocks by sluffing their A♣ early so it doesn't get stranded behind J♣ later.”
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Related Terms
Schmear
To throw high-point cards (Aces, Tens) on a trick your teammate is winning. Essential strategy for maximizing points.
Partner
The player holding the called Ace who teams up with the picker. The partner's identity is secret until the called Ace is played.
Picker
The player who took the blind. They're the "captain" of their team and score double points (win or lose).
Sluff (Slough)
To discard a low, worthless fail card on a trick you can't win and don't want to schmear into. Sluffing low Kings, 9s, 8s, and 7s onto a losing trick is how defenders dump junk without giving the picker's team extra points.