[barmar]

I don't think I've ever heard anyone use the phrase "end play" to refer to the last few tricks of a hand. In spoken use there would be no way to tell that there's a space there, and it's likely to be misconstrued as "endplay".

I think I may have heard that phrase used in chess contexts, but I don't read chess literature.

[Zelandakh]

 barmar, on 2015-September-19, 20:46, said:

I think I may have heard that phrase used in chess contexts, but I don't read chess literature.

Chess uses the term end game but not end play (or endplay). The equivalent of an endplay in chess is Zugzwang, a German word usually translated as "compulsion to move".

[barmar]

Yeah, "end game" is what I was thinking of. Like I said, I don't actually read much chess literature.

I thought I recognized the word "Zugzwang". Turns out it was the title of the "Extant" episode from 3 weeks ago (part of the plot involved a chessboard where the moves were clues). And when I googled it, I found that it was also the title of an episode of "Criminal Minds" from 2 years ago. I suspect TV writers like the sound of that word, and the meaning can be easily applied to thrillers like these.

[Fluffy]

Bit offtopic, but since most advanced plays (squeezes and endplays) happen towards the end of the hand, I was wondering if it would be benefitial for beginners to start playing with 7 cards instead of 13. They would learn those moves, and also tap declarer I think. Then they might be better prepared when they move to 13 cards.

[billw55]

Simple, it's like coldplay but without the music.

[barmar]

Most hands don't involve advanced plays. Beginners need to learn the basics, like drawing trumps and taking finesses.

[hrothgar]

Just seeing this thread for the first time.

I had always assumed that the expression "endplay" refers to the fact that you are trying to lose a trick to a specific player.
In in a sense, you're trying to end up in that particular hand to force them to lead into you.

[Al_U_Card]

Would it not be the use of the throw-in to endplay the opponent (victim) of choice?