Card Combination

Lesson 4A, Page 1

A

s declarer you must know how to handle various card combinations. This lesson explains the proper techniques. It is assumed that declarer has adequate entries to either hand, there is no need to prevent a specific opponent from gaining the lead, and the enemy hands are unknown. In cases where declarer has entry problems, special considerations or knowledge about the enemy hands, these rules are only guidelines — it may be necessary to invent a different play to your advantage.

Missing the Jack

•

Finesse with 6 cards or fewer.

In most cases you will have 7 or more cards, so you should play to drop a jack; however, the order in which you cash the ace, king and queen is often important. Arrange your plays so you will be able to finesse if an opponent shows out. 1.

AQ954 K 10 3 2

Cash the ace (or queen) first. If either opponent shows out, you can finesse the other opponent for the jack.

2.

AQ954 K832

Cash the king first. The only 4-0 break you can cope with is if West has four, and you must lead the king to discover this.

3.

A Q 10 4 K32

Cash the ace (or queen) then the king. Unless East shows out giving you a proven finesse, you will next win the queen.

Card Combinations Missing the Queen

•

Finesse with 8 cards or fewer.

Before finessing for a queen, first cash the ace or king if this does not restrict your ability to finesse— you might drop a singleton queen. 5.

A Q 10 3 K2

Cash the king then finesse the 10. Note: On most deals there is some other suit to work on before trying this finesse.

Missing the King

•

Finesse with 10 cards or fewer.

When finessing for a king, do not lead an unsupported honor unless you will benefit if the next player covers with the king.

AJ54 K32

Cash the king then finesse the jack.

6.

A K J 10 5 432

Cash the king (or ace) then return to your hand in another suit to finesse the jack.

7.

A K J 10 5 32

Take a first-round finesse. If you were to cash the ace or king first, you would not be able to finesse twice — that is, you could not capture Q-x-x-x in the West hand.

8.

AK54 J932

Cash the ace and king. There is no simple finesse available so your best chance is to drop the queen.

9.

AJ976 K5432

Cash the king first. You do not expect to finesse, but East might show out to reveal a proven finesse against West.

10.

10 4 3 AKJ82

Cash the ace, cross to dummy in another suit then lead the 10. This allows you to pick up Q-9-x-x in East — he must cover with the queen, then West will show out to reveal a guaranteed finesse for the nine.

11. 4.

by Richard Pavlicek

K94 A J 10 3 2

You could finesse either way. With no clue it is better to cash the king and finesse against East. This allows you to capture Q-x-x-x East or a singleton queen West.

12.

AQ654 J32

Do not lead the jack. Lead the two and finesse the queen; if it wins, cash the ace. Your only chance to avoid a loser is to find West with K-x.

13.

AQJ4 10 3 2

Do not lead the 10. Lead the two and finesse the jack (or queen); if it wins, later lead the three and finesse the queen.

14.

A J 10 3 Q92

Here you could afford to lead the queen (if covered you have four tricks). But it is better technique to lead the nine first. This allows you to keep the lead in your hand in case West refuses to cover with the king.

15.

AJ983 Q2

Lead the queen. If it loses to the king, cash the ace and jack hoping to drop the 10. If the queen is covered, win the ace; return to your hand in a different suit and finesse the nine.

•

If a trick must always be lost, it is usually best to cash the ace.

16.

QJ654 A32

First cash the ace then lead up to the Q-J (twice if necessary). It is impossible to run the whole suit, so your goal is to maximize the chance to win four tricks.

Lesson 4A, Page 2

Card Combinations

Missing the Queen-Jack

•

Finesse twice with 7 cards or fewer; finesse once with 8 cards.

17.

18.

A K 10 9 5 432

Finesse the 10. If it loses, cash the ace; if both follow, the rest are good.

•

If the ace and king are in different hands, cash one top card before taking any finesse.

19.

A 10 9 4 K32

Cash the king then finesse the 10. If it loses, finesse the nine next.

Missing the King-Queen

•

Missing the King-Jack

•

A K 10 9 4 32

Finesse the 10. If it loses, finesse the nine next.

A J 10 5 432

Finesse the jack. If it loses, finesse the 10 next time.

21.

A J 10 9 6 5432

With nine cards it is still best to take two finesses; however, if this is inconvenient (or risks a ruff if this is your trump suit), it is almost as good to cash the ace first.

22.

A 10 6 5 J432

Finesse the 10. If it loses, cash the ace; there is no second finesse available.

23.

AJ95 432

Finesse the nine first, then finesse the jack. You are hoping West holds K-10 or Q-10, which is a much better chance than hoping West has the K-Q.

If the ace and queen are in the same hand: Finesse for the king and jack with 8 cards or fewer. Finesse only for the king with 9 or 10 cards.

24.

A Q 10 5 432

Finesse the 10. If it loses to the jack, finesse the queen next.

25.

AQ965 432

Missing the Ace

•

26.

A Q 10 7 6 5432

Finesse the queen. If it loses to the king, cash the ace next.

•

If the ace and queen are in different hands: Cash the ace then finesse for the jack if possible, else lead up to the queen.

27.

A54 Q 10 3 2

Cash the ace then lead the four. If no honor appears, finesse the 10. If this loses to the jack, lead up to the queen next.

28.

A 10 6 5 Q432

Cash the ace then lead up to the queen.

•

Exception: Holding 8 cards or fewer including the 10, nine and eight, do not cash the ace first. It is better to finesse twice.

29.

A 10 9 8 Q432

Lead the two and finesse the 10. If this loses to the jack, finesse for the king next. Note that if either hand held another card, the proper play is to cash the ace first.

Lead toward your honors.

30.

KQ95 432

Lead up to the king. If it wins, later lead up to the queen.

31.

9654 QJ32

Lead up to the queen. Later lead toward the jack.

•

Finesse the nine; later finesse the queen. Note that you always must lose at least one trick, even with the king onside.

Finesse twice with any length.

20.

by Richard Pavlicek

If your two highest cards are not touching, try to finesse against the in-between card (or cards).

32.

Q 10 8 5 4 32

Lead toward the Q-10 and finesse the 10. Hopefully this will lose to the ace or king; next time lead toward the queen.

33.

K 10 9 6 5432

Finesse the ten; later finesse the nine. This gains if West has either the jack or the queen (or both).

•

With equal honors in each hand, lead to the shorter hand first.

34.

Q54 K 10 3 2

Lead up to the queen. Whether it wins or loses, next time lead toward the K-10 and finesse the 10.

35.

J43 Q982

Lead up to the jack. Whether it wins or loses, next time finesse the nine.

36.

K7 Q65432

Lead up to the king. If it wins you know that West has the ace, so it would be futile to play the queen next — you should duck the second round hoping the ace falls.

Eight Ever… or Maybe?

Exercise 4A23

by Richard Pavlicek

How do you play K-3-2 opposite A-J-10-9-8? If you know the answer already, that’s too bad. If you say, “It depends,” you have the potential to be an expert declarer. A card combination is only a part of a deal — like a single tree in a forest. Test your skill on these six deals. ♠43 ♥ 10 9 4 2 ♦K32 ♣ A Q J 10

1. 3 NT

Lead: ♠

N

7

W

E S

3. 3 NT

East plays ♠ Q

Lead: ♣

5

♠A2 ♥AK3 ♦ A J 10 9 8 ♣543 How many top tricks do you have? Which suit or suits offer a chance to succeed? What is the best play?

A. Lead the ♦ J and let it ride. B. Lead the ♦ J to the king then finesse the ten. C. Lead the ♦ J to the king then win the ace.

2. 3 NT

Lead: ♥

6

6

♦+♣

Lead: ♥

E S

East plays ♣ 9

C

Which opponent do you wish to keep off lead? What is the best play?

♠ A K 10 5 ♥J7 ♦K32 ♣ 10 5 3 2 N

K

Lead: ♠

E S

♠AK ♥Q32 ♦ A J 10 9 8 ♣AK9

7 West A

N W S

East A

A. Lead the ♦ 2 and finesse the jack. B. Win the ♦ K then lead the ♦ 2 and finesse the jack. C. Lead the ♦ J and let it ride.

How many top tricks?

What is the best play?

6 East A

A. Lead the ♦ 2 and finesse the jack. B. Lead the ♦ 2 to the ace then lead the jack and let it ride. C. Lead the ♦ 2 to the ace then lead the jack to the king.

♠A654 ♥876 ♦K32 ♣J43 N

4

W

E S

East plays ♥ A

♠K32 ♥— ♦ A J 10 9 8 ♣AKQ72 9

Which suits may provide the extra tricks you need? ♥ ♦ ♣ Assume you win the ♠ A. What is the best play?

East plays ♥ A

Who likely has the ♠ Q?

Lead: ♥

E

♠K ♥A ♦ A J 10 9 8 ♣ AK7432

Which heart do you play from dummy at trick one? ♥ K

E S

East shifts to the ♠ J! How many hearts do you think West held originally?

6. 6 ♦

♠ A Q J 10 ♥ Q J 10 9 8 ♦K32 ♣6 3

W

♠3 ♥6532 ♦ A J 10 9 8 ♣AKQ

A. Lead the ♦ J and let it ride. B. Lead the ♦ J to the king then finesse the 10. C. Lead the ♦ J to the king then win the ace.

N

What is the best play?

N W

How many top tricks do you have?

4. 6 NT

You win trick one. Which opponent is dangerous?

5. 5 ♦

♠543 ♥43 ♦ A J 10 9 8 ♣AQJ

♠6542 ♥K4 ♦K32 ♣ 10 5 4 3 W

♠AKQ2 ♥Q952 ♦K32 ♣43

B

A. Duck a club; if clubs do not break 3-3, try the diamond finesse. B. Lead the ♠ Q and discard the ♥ A. C. Lead the ♦ 2 and finesse the jack.

You ruff the first trick. Assuming normal defense, who has the ♥ K? West …who has the ♥ Q?

East

What is the best play?

C

A. Lead the ♦ J and let it ride. B. Lead the ♦ J to the king then finesse the ten. C. Lead the ♦ J to the king then ♦ A.

Exercise 4A23 Notes

Eight Ever… or Maybe?

♠43 ♥ 10 9 4 2 ♦K32 ♣ A Q J 10 ♠KJ975 ♠ Q 10 8 6 N ♥J7 ♥Q865 W E ♦Q 5 ♦7 6 4 S ♣9862 ♣K7 ♠A2 ♥AK3 ♦ A J 10 9 8 Lead: ♠ 7 ♣ 5 4 3 1. 3 NT

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th 1. W ♠7 3 Q A 2. S ♦ J! 5! K 4 3. N ♦2 6 A! Q Cash 6 more winners Made 3 You have six top tricks and two chances for three more: the diamonds or the clubs. After the spade lead, you cannot take both finesses (if one loses, you are down) so the best way to improve your chances is to try to drop the queen of diamonds. If that failed, you could fall back on the club finesse as a last resort.

♠6542 ♥K4 ♦K32 ♣ 10 5 4 3 ♠J873 ♠ Q 10 9 ♥ A 10 8 6 5 W N E ♥ J 9 7 ♦5 ♦Q 7 6 4 S ♣J76 ♣Q82 ♠AK ♥Q32 ♦ A J 10 9 8 Lead: ♥ 6 ♣ A K 9 2. 3 NT

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th ♥6 1. W K 7 2 2. N ♦ 2! 4 J! 5 3. S ♦8 ♠3 K 6 4. N ♦3 7 10 ♣ 6 Cash 6 more winners Made 4 Clearly, you must keep East off lead (to protect your ♥ Q) so you should finesse East in diamonds. Further, you should take a first-round finesse so that dummy can be reentered with the ♦ K to take it again. This proves to be necessary when East has four diamonds.

♠AKQ2 ♥Q952 ♦K32 ♣43 ♠ 10 8 ♠J976 N ♥KJ6 ♥ A 10 8 7 W E ♦Q 6 5 ♦7 4 S ♣ K 10 8 5 2 ♣976 ♠543 ♥43 ♦ A J 10 9 8 Lead: ♣ 5 ♣ A Q J

3. 3 NT

Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th 1. W ♣5 3 9 J 2. S ♦J 5 2! 4 3. S ♦ 10 6 3 7 4. S ♦A Q K ♥7 Cash 6 more winners Made 4 The danger on this hand is the heart suit, not the clubs. If you lost a diamond trick to West, you might be defeated — West could switch to the ♥ J and sink your ship. Note that if the diamond finesse loses to East, it is impossible for East-West to cash four heart tricks on any lie of the suit.

♠ A Q J 10 ♥ Q J 10 9 8 ♦K32 ♣6 ♠9753 ♠8642 N ♥7654 ♥K32 W E ♦7 5 ♦Q 6 4 S ♣ 10 9 8 ♣QJ5 ♠K ♥A ♦ A J 10 9 8 Lead: ♠ 3 ♣ A K 7 4 3 2

by Richard Pavlicek

5. 5 ♦

♠ A K 10 5 ♥J7 ♦K32 ♣ 10 5 3 2 ♠762 ♠QJ984 ♥ K Q 10 9 8 4 W N E ♥ A ♦7 6 ♦Q 5 4 S ♣86 ♣J974 ♠3 ♥6532 ♦ A J 10 9 8 Lead: ♥ K ♣ A K Q Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 1. W ♥K 7 A 2. E ♠ J? 3 2 3. N ♠K 4 ♥3 4. N ♦ 2! 4 J! ♥5 5. S Q J ♥ 10 ♦ K! ♠ 9 6. W Win the rest Made 5

4th 2 A 6 6 ♠8 6

The early play indicates a blank ♥ A with East. Your best chance is to ruff one heart in dummy (with the ♦ K) and finesse East for the ♦ Q. In order to pick up ♦ Q-x-x you must take a first-round finesse.

4. 6 NT

Trick Lead 2nd 1. W ♠3 A! 2. N ♠Q 4 3. N ♠J 6 4. N ♥Q K Win the rest Made 6

3rd 4th 2 K ♣2 5 ♥ A! 7 ♣3 4

I tried to fool you here. You have nine top tricks, and if you worked on either diamonds or clubs (or both) you might be set. The foolproof line of play is to unblock your ♥ A on the second spade, then force out the ♥ K to guarantee 12 tricks.

6. 6 ♦

♠Q97 ♥KJ543 ♦Q 6 4 ♣65

♠A654 ♥876 ♦K32 ♣J43 N W

E S

♠ J 10 8 ♥ A Q 10 9 2 ♦7 5 ♣ 10 9 8

♠K32 ♥— ♦ A J 10 9 8 Lead: ♥ 4 ♣ A K Q 7 2 Trick Lead 2nd 1. W ♥4 6 2. S ♦J 4 3. N ♦2 7 Lead all the clubs, etc.

3rd 4th A ♦8 K! 5 A! 6 Made 6

If you finesse either way for the ♦ Q, your chances are about even money. Instead you should play for a 3-2 trump break (about 68 percent) which secures 12 tricks. Eventually, you will ruff a spade in dummy.

The Finesse Is On!

Exercise 4A29

by Richard Pavlicek

What is usually the best play of each card combination at notrump? You may lead from either hand unless stated otherwise. Assume East or West plays a low card as second hand. 1.

QJ982

5.

Q732

N W

Lead the

2.

N E

W

N

North leads

W

E

S

S

A 10 5 4 3

J965

AK8543

Q and play the 3

Q 10 5 4 N W

E S

Lead the

Lead the then Lead the

4

and play the A

2

and play the 10

3.

K 10 9 6 4

5

6.

and play the Q

AKJ2 W

10.

54 N

E

W

E S

98643

A K J 10 3 2

Lead the then Lead the

3

A and play the 4

Lead the then Lead the

7.

J 10 9 8 7

11.

and play the K

4

and play the 10

5

and play the J

QJ2

N E

W

N E

W

E

S

S

S

32

A432

K543

2

and play the 9

3

and play the 10

4.

Q and play the 3

S

N W

Lead the

N

South leads first

A832

432 N W

E S

Lead the then Lead the

8.

2

and play the J

3

and play the K

J

and play the 2

10 and play the 3

AQ43 N

South leads second

KJ85 Lead the then Lead the

Q92

S

North leads first

Lead the then Lead the

E

9.

W

E S

Lead the then Lead the

12.

3

and play the J

4

and play the Q

A J 10 2 N

North leads first

W

10 6 5 2 Lead the then Lead the

2

and play the Q

5

and play the A

E S

K543 Lead the then Lead the

2

and play the K

3

and play the 10

Finessing Field Day

Exercise 4A41

by Richard Pavlicek

What is usually the best play of each card combination at notrump? You may lead from either hand unless stated otherwise. Assume East or West plays a low card as second hand. 1.

KJ2

5.

10 9 8 2

N W

Lead the

N E

W

W

E S

10 8 4 3

AQ763

Q93

3

and play the J

Lead the

10 and play the Q

Lead the

Q2

6.

A K 10 3

10.

N W

E S

Lead the then Lead the

Q and play the 3

3.

A K 10 8 7

2

and play the K

N

South leads first

W

E S

Lead the then Lead the

7.

W

2

and play the K

J

and play the 7

Q 10 9 2

Lead the then Lead the

W

N W

E

S

S

962

K965

and play the 10

6

and play the A

KQ32

Lead the then Lead the

2

and play the 9

3

and play the K

11.

AJ8

N W

N E

W

E

S

S

A 10 5 4

95432

K and play the 4 Q and play the 5

8.

Q432

N

North leads first

10 4 3 2

E

2

North leads first

J32

Q and play the 2

N

South leads second

A K 10 9 3

Lead the then Lead the

N E

S

North leads first

4.

A 10 8 2

S

2.

Lead the then Lead the

9.

Lead the then Lead the

2

and play the 8

3

and play the J

12.

432

N E

W

N E

W

E

S

S

S

A8765

AJ65

J 10 8 5

10 and play the A 5

and play the Q

Lead the then Lead the

2

and play the J

A and play the 3

Lead the then Lead the

2

and play the 10

3

and play the 8

Play that Suit!

Exercise 4A53

by Richard Pavlicek

What is usually the best play of each card combination at notrump? You may lead from either hand unless stated otherwise. Assume East or West plays a low card as second hand. 1.

AJ932

5.

AK543

N W

Lead the

N E

W

N E

W

E

S

S

Q7654

J2

A 10 5 4 3

Q and play the 2

A654

Lead the

3

6.

and play the J

J65

N

South leads first

W

and play the Q

10.

K Q 10 9

W

N E

W

E

S

S

QJ32

10 8 3 2

432

4

and play the J

AKJ2 N W

E S

Lead the then Lead the

2

and play the J

5

and play the 8

7.

K432 N

North leads first

W

Lead the then Lead the

3

and play the K

4

and play the J

4.

A J 10 8 2 N W

E

E S

10 4 3

3

3

S

and play the A

South leads

Lead the

N E

2

3.

Lead the then Lead the

Q2

S

2.

Lead the then Lead the

9.

Lead the then Lead the

11.

2

and play the Q

5

and play the 3

8.

A 10 9 8 7

and play the Q

3

and play the 9

10 9 8 7 N

North leads both times

Q765 Lead the then Lead the

2

W

AK32 Lead the then Lead the

10 and play the 2 9

12.

and play the A

Q932

N

South leads

W

E S

N E

W

E

S

S

S

Q43

Q432

KJ4

and play the 10

Q and play the 2

Lead the then Lead the

2 7

and play the A

Lead the then Lead the

2 3

and play the K

Tough Card Combinations

Exercise 4V17

by Richard Pavlicek

What is usually the best play of each card combination at notrump? You may lead from either hand unless stated otherwise. Assume East or West plays a low card as second hand. 1.

QJ32

5.

K 10 6 5

N W

Lead the

4

2.

W

A854

A94

K763

and play the Q

Lead the

5

6.

Q 10 9 8 3

and play the 9

Lead the

10.

4

and play the K

A 10 8 7 5 4

N E

W

N E

W

E

S

S

S

K943

A2

K2

and play the J

A654 N E

Lead the

Q and play the 2

Lead the

10 and play the 2

7.

Q 10 9 4 3

11.

AK654

N

North leads

W

N E

W

E

S

S

S

Q 10 9 8

A2

Q 10

10 and play the 4 Q and play the 5

4.

A654 N W

Lead the then Lead the

E S

W

Lead the then Lead the

W

S

N

3.

N E

S

AJ2

3

J 10 8 5 4

N E

W

Lead the

9.

E

Lead the then Lead the

3

and play the A

2

and play the Q

8.

A 10 9 8 2 N

North leads

W

E

and play the 10

Lead the then Lead the

4

12.

A K 10 6 5

Q and play the 5

N

North leads

W

E

S

S

S

Q 10 9 3

K3

Q4

3

and play the A

4

and play the 10

Lead the then Lead the

2

and play the K

3

and play the A

Lead the then Lead the

5

and play the Q

4

and play the K

Drop It or Finesse?

Exercise 4V69

by Richard Pavlicek

Do you know when to play for the drop and when to finesse? Assume the contract is notrump and you have adequate entries to either hand. Dummy’s holding is given first, followed by declarer’s holding. Choose your play from the choices A, B and C.

1.

A765 QJ32

5.

A. Win the ace B. Lead the queen and let it ride C. Duck the first round

Your play:

2.

AQ765 J432

B

AQ765 J9832

4.

C

AQ765 J98432

Your play:

B

A. Win the ace, king and queen B. Win the ace then finesse the 10 C. Finesse the nine

C

A32 K J 10 5 4

Your play:

10.

B

K32 A Q 10 5

A. Win the ace, king and queen B. Win the A-K then finesse the 10 C. Win the king then finesse the 10

Your play:

Your play:

B

AK32 J954

11.

A

A2 K Q 10 5 4

A. Win the ace and king B. Lead the jack and let it ride C. Win the ace then lead the jack later

A. Win the ace, king and queen B. Win the ace then finesse the 10 C. Lead the 10 and let it ride

Your play:

Your play:

8.

A. Lead low and win the ace B. Lead the jack and win the ace C. Finesse the queen

A9 K Q 10 5

A. Win the ace and king B. Win the ace then finesse the jack C. Lead the jack and let it ride

7.

A. Win the ace B. Finesse the queen C. Lead the jack and let it ride

Your play:

Your play:

6.

A. Win the ace B. Finesse the queen C. Lead the jack and let it ride

3.

9.

A. Win the ace and king B. Win the ace then run the 10 C. Finesse the 10

A

Your play:

A 10 KJ543

A

A 10 3 2 KJ654

12.

A

A 10 KQ543

A. Win the ace and king B. Win the ace then finesse the jack C. Win the king then finesse the 10

A. Win the ace, king and queen B. Win the ace then run the 10 C. Finesse the 10

Your play:

Your play:

A

C

Card Combinations

Practice 4A01 West 2 NT 3♠

North Pass Pass Pass

East 1♠ 3♣ 4♠

South Pass Pass (end)

14,14

6,7

13,16

7,8

Bid: Play:

Resp to 1 of a suit Finessing technique

West

North East Pass 1♥ Pass

South 1♦ 4♥

3,5

8,9

19,21

Bid: Play: Def:

Rebid by opener Finessing technique Protect dummy’s suit Discard signal

West

North East

Pass Pass

1♥ 3 NT

Pass (end)

6,8

7,8

8,8

Pass (end)

10,11

South 1♦ 2 NT

Rebid by opener Finessing technique Choose lead (NT)

West 2 NT 6 NT

North East Pass 4 NT (end)

South Pass

21,22

4,7

4,4

Bid:

2 NT opening, response Quantitative 4 NT Communication/entries Finessing technique

Play:

2

3

8 TT 1. S ♠ J 10 6 2. E ♥Q 8 7 3 2 3. W ♦K 7 4. S ♣ 10 8 6 5. W ♠Q 4 3 ♠K 8 7 5 2 N 6. E ♥A K J ♥ — W E 7. N ♦ A 10 4 3 ♦ Q 9 8 2 S 8. E ♣5 4 3 ♣A K J 2 ♠A 9 ♥ 10 9 6 5 4 ♦J 6 5 8-3-3 ♣Q 9 7 4 ♠ by East None Vul

4

♥5 ♠5 ♠3 ♥4 ♠4

J! K ♦Q ♣ 6 K! ♦9 6 Win the rest

Made 5

Q ♠2 Q 7! A - ♣ 2! K ♥3 K 4! -

E-W +450

♠Q 7 6 8 TT 1. E ♠ 2 K 4 ♥A 8 7 5 4 2. S ♥ 10 A! ♦Q 6 3 3. N ♥ 4 K 9! ♣ 10 ♣7 5 4. E ♣ 2 A 5. S ♥ Q ♠ 8 7 ♠9 8 4 ♠ J 10 5 2 N 6. S ♠ Q ♥3 ♥ K J 2 W E 7. N ♦ -! 5 10 ♦9 8 7 4 ♦ K 5 S 8. S ♥ 6 ♣ 8 8 ♣ ♣ K 10 9 8 3 ♣Q 6 4 2 9. N ♦ 6! K A ♠A K 3 10. S ♦ 2 Q ♠♥ Q 10 9 6 Win the rest ♦ A J 10 2 ♣A J 4 ♥ by North Made 6 N-S +680 N-S Vul

E-W Vul

♠ 10 9 6 4 ♥K 9 8 7 ♦2 ♣K 8 4 3

19,21

Bid: Play: Def:

11,11

1

by Richard Pavlicek

♠7 5 3 ♥ A Q 10 5 ♦J 5 4 3 ♣ 10 5 N W

E S

♠A K ♥6 4 2 ♦ A K 10 8 ♣A J 6 2

6 TT

♠Q J 8 2 ♥J 3 ♦Q 9 7 6 ♣Q 9 7

1. W 2. S 3. S 4. E 5. S 6. N 7. S 8. N 9. S 10. S

3 NT by South

♠9 7 6 4 9 TT 1. N ♥ Q 10 9 8 7 2 2. W ♦Q 8 5 3. E ♣— 4. W 5. W ♠A Q J ♠K 5 3 N 6. E ♥A 3 ♥ K J W E 7. N ♦A J 3 ♦ 10 9 6 4 S 8. E ♣K Q 9 5 4 ♣A 7 3 2 9. E ♠ 10 8 2 ♥6 5 4 ♦K 7 2 ♣ J 10 8 6 6 NT by West Both Vul

♠4

J 10 Q K A 8 -

K J ♣♣♣-

A 10 Q K ♦ 4! J ♥8 K ♦ 10 7 3 ♣~ 9 Claim the rest

A! ♥Q ♠-

♦A ♥2 ♠2 ♥4

♦ J! ♥6

A Q -

♦4 ♦ 10 ♠ ♣A

Lose the rest Made 3 N-S +400

♥ 10 ♣ 4! ♣♠A ♠~

J

♥-

Made 6 E-W +1440

Card Combinations

Practice 4A05 West

North East 1 NT Pass

South 3 NT

1,1

17,18

12,13

Bid:

Opening one-bid Response to 1 NT Finessing technique Choose lead (NT)

1

None Vul

(end)

Play: Def: West

10,11

2 NT

North East 1♣ Pass 3 NT

South Pass (end)

13,14

10,12

4,5

13,14

Bid: Play: Def:

Resp to 1 of a suit Finessing technique Discard signal

West

North East

1♠ (end)

3♥

Pass

South 1♥ 4♥

13,13

11,12

4,5

12,14

Bid: Play: Def:

Cope with overcall Finessing technique Attitude signal Make declarer ruff

West 1♣ 2♣

North East Pass 1♠ Pass 3 NT

South Pass (end)

12,14

6,6

7,7

Bid: Play:

Rebid after 2-over-1 Avoidance finesse Finessing technique Shift to another suit

Def:

15,16

♠9 8 7 6 ♥J 2 ♦7 6 5 3 ♣9 5 2

2

N-S Vul

♠K 3 ♥K 9 2 ♦ K Q 10 8 ♣Q 5 3 2

3

E-W Vul

♠K Q J 9 7 ♥K ♦ K 10 3 ♣ J 10 3 2

4

Both Vul

by Richard Pavlicek

6 TT 1. E ♥ 6 9 J K ♠J 4 3 2. N ♦ K! Q ♥K 5 4 3. N ♠ 3! 10 ♦ A K 10 9 8 4. S ♦ 4 8 ♣3 ♣A Q 5. N ♠ 4 K A ♠K 5 N 6. S ♠ 2 J ♣6 ♥ Q 8 7 6 3 W E 7. N ♥ 4 3 10! ♦Q S 8. S ♠ Q - ♣ Q ♥ 7 ♣ K 10 8 6 3 Claim the rest ♠ A Q 10 2 ♥ A 10 9 ♦J 4 2 N-S +520 ♣J 7 4 3 NT by North Made 7

♠ A 10 8 2 ♥Q J 8 4 3 ♦4 ♣K 9 8 N W

E S

♠Q 7 6 5 ♥ 10 7 ♦J 9 7 5 3 ♣J 7 ♠8 6 4 2 ♥8 7 6 4 ♦A J 9 ♣A Q

♠J 9 4 ♥A 6 5 ♦A 6 2 ♣ A 10 6 4

♠ 10 5 ♥Q 3 2 ♦Q 4 2 ♣9 8 6 5 4

E S

♠A 3 ♥ A J 10 9 5 ♦8 7 6 5 ♣K 7 ♠Q 8 7 4 ♥ 10 8 2 ♦ Q 10 7 ♣Q 6 5

♠6 2 N ♥7 4 W E ♦A J 9 3 S ♣ A K 10 9 8 ♠J 5 ♥A J 9 5 ♦8 5 4 ♣J 7 2

1. N 2. W 3. E 4. N 5. E 6. E 7. E 8. W 9. E 10. W

3 NT by West 7 TT

N W

6 TT

1. W 2. S 3. N 4. W 5. W 6. S 7. N 8. S 9. S 10. E 11. S

4 ♥ by South 6 TT

♠ A K 10 9 3 ♥K Q 6 ♦K 6 2 ♣4 3

1. S 2. E 3. W 4. S 5. W

♥4 ♣2 ♣4 ♥Q ♣ 10 ♣6

5 10 K A! J Q K A ♦3 ♠5 - ♠8 ♦ 2! - Q ♦8 ♠2 A ♦ 6 9 10 ♠ 10 ♦K ♥3 ♥6 Lose the rest Made 3 E-W +400

♠K ♣7 ♥4 ♠Q ♠J ♣K ♥6 3 ♥ A ♣ 10

10 A Q J K ♣5 ♥5 A 10! ♠ 7 ♦ 5 3 9! Q ♣9 ♥9 - ♠8 ♦ 6 10 J Claim the rest Made 4 N-S +420

♥5 ♣3 ♠2

10 K 2 A! 9! J ♦ 8 A! 7 ♠ 6 7 10! Cash 5 more winners

3 3 NT by East

Made 3

E-W +600

Card Combinations

Practice 4A09 West Pass Pass

North Pass 1♠ 3 NT

East Pass Pass (end)

South 1♦ 2 NT

10,10

8,8

4,6

18,19

Bid: Play: Def: West 2♣ 3 NT

South Pass Pass

11,12

9,11

5,7

15,17

Def:

Stayman convention Unblocking play Finessing technique When to cover honor

West

North East

Pass Pass

1♥ 4♥

Pass (end)

6,8

12,14

8,8

Bid: Play:

Follow up major raise Finessing technique Shun finesse

West 1♠ 2 NT 4♠

North East Pass 2♦ Pass 3♠ (end)

South Pass Pass

14,15

7,9

7,7

Bid:

Resp to 1 of a suit Rebid after 2-over-1 Finessing technique Automatic squeeze Early ♥ shift stops 11

Play:

12,12

South 1♣ 2♥

None Vul

♠Q 5 ♥K 9 7 6 ♦ K 10 9 6 ♣Q 8 6

Rebid by opener Play to trick one Finessing technique Discard signal North East 1 NT Pass 2♦ (end)

Bid: Play:

1

4-2-1

2

N-S Vul

♠4 2 ♥K Q 9 7 ♦J 6 4 ♣K Q 9 8

6-1-3

3

14,15

4

♠A 4 3 2 ♥J 3 ♦Q J 3 2 ♣4 3 2 N W

E S

♠K 7 ♥A Q 4 2 ♦A 7 5 4 ♣AJ9 ♠ K 10 7 6 ♥ A 10 8 6 ♦Q 9 7 5 ♣3 N W

E S

♠Q J 9 8 5 ♥J 5 ♦2 ♣J 7 6 5 4

by Richard Pavlicek 6 TT

♠ J 10 9 8 6 ♥ 10 8 5 ♦8 ♣ K 10 7 5

1. W 2. N 3. S 4. N 5. W 6. S 7. W 8. N 9. S 10. S 11. N

3 NT by South 6 TT

♠A 3 ♥4 3 2 ♦ A K 10 8 3 ♣ A 10 2

1. S 2. S 3. E 4. E 5. W 6. E 7. E 8. W 9. W 10. E

3 NT by East

♥6

J

♦ 2! ♦4 9 ♣2 ♠Q

A J ♠ J! 9! Q K - ♥8 J Q ♠A -

♦5 K ♠5 A ♣3 ♣A ♦7 ♥3 Lose the rest Made 3 N-S +400

♠Q ♠8

7 3 K A ♦A ♣ 10! Q ♦ J! Q K ♥ ♣A - ♥ 10 ♣2 9 ♥♣K ♥- ♥2 ♦6 8 ♠♦ 10 Lose last 2 tricks Made 4 E-W +430

♠A 8 6 2 7 TT 1. E ♦ J K 7 ♥A 8 7 5 4 2. S ♥ 10 A! ♦A 8 2 3. N ♥ ~ K 3 ♣2 ♣3 4. E ♦ 9 3 A 5. N ♥ ~ J Q ♣♠J 4 ♠K 7 5 N 6. S ♠ Q! 4 2 K ♥2 ♥KJ6 W E 7. E ♣ 5 A! ♦Q 7 6 3 ♦ J 10 9 5 S Win the rest ♣ K 10 9 8 4 2 ♣7 6 5 ♠ Q 10 9 3 ♥ Q 10 9 3 ♦K 4 ♣A Q J 4 ♥ by North Made 5 N-S +450 E-W Vul

♠A 2 8 TT 1. N ♥8 7 5 3 2. W ♦K 2 3. E ♣ 10 9 8 7 2 4. N 5. E 9 6 5 4 ♠K 8 3 N 6. N 10 9 ♥ A 6 2 W E 7. W Q 9 ♦7 5 4 3 S 8. W 3 ♣AJ5 ♠ J 10 7 ♥QJ4 ♦ J 10 8 6 ♣Q 6 4 4 ♠ by West

Both Vul

♠Q ♥K ♦A ♣K

♣ 10 J! ♠4 2

Q K K! ♦ 3 - 9! K ♣ 9? A ♠3 J 5! A ♣ 8? - ♠6 ♠ Q ♣ - - 10 ♠ 9! ♣ 7 ♥ 2 ? South is squeezed

Made 5

E-W +650

Card Combinations

Practice 4A13 West Pass (end) 4,5

Play:

West

North East 1♦ Pass 1 NT Pass

South 1♠ 3 NT

14,15

14,14

8,9

1♠ 3♥

South Pass Pass (end)

12,13

10,11

5,7

13,14

Bid: Play:

Rebid by responder Finessing technique

West

North East

1 NT 6 NT

Pass (end)

4 NT

16,17

7,7

16,16

South Pass Pass

Quantitative 4 NT Finessing technique

West Pass Pass

North East 1♣ Pass 3 NT (end)

South 2 NT

6,7

14,14

14,14

6,7

1-2-1

2

Resp to 1 of a suit Finessing technique Positional squeeze

N-S Vul

♠ K 10 9 4 ♥J 5 4 ♦ A 10 4 ♣A 5 4

3

E-W Vul

♠A 9 8 3 ♥ 10 5 4 ♦A Q J ♣AJ3

1,1

Bid: Play:

None Vul

♠K 8 6 5 ♥8 6 4 ♦ J 10 9 3 ♣7 6

Finessing technique Throw-in play North East 1♥ Pass 1 NT Pass 4♥

Bid: Play:

1

4

Both Vul

♠Q 7 3 ♥ Q J 10 8 ♦8 3 ♣ J 10 8 6

♠ 10 3 ♥A K 3 2 ♦K 7 6 2 ♣KJ9 N W

E S

♠A Q 4 2 ♥Q 5 ♦Q 5 4 ♣A 5 4 3 ♠AJ7 ♥Q 9 7 6 ♦Q J 9 6 ♣8 7 N W

E S

by Richard Pavlicek 6 TT

♠J 9 7 ♥ J 10 9 7 ♦A 8 ♣ Q 10 8 2

3 NT by North 8 TT

♠3 2 ♥ A K 10 8 2 ♦K 8 2 ♣K 3 2

♠Q 8 6 5 ♥3 ♦7 5 3 ♣ Q J 10 9 6 ♠K 7 5 ♥Q 6 ♦9 4 3 2 ♣ Q 10 8 5 N W

E S

♠J 6 2 ♥9 8 7 3 ♦ 10 7 5 ♣7 6 4 ♠J 8 5 ♥K 4 2 ♦A 6 4 ♣A Q 9 4 N W

E S

♠A K 6 ♥A 5 3 ♦Q J 7 2 ♣5 3 2

1. E 2. N 3. S 4. E 5. S 6. E 7. N 8. N 9. S 10. N

1. S 2. E 3. E 4. N 5. W 6. E 7. N 8. W 9. W

K Q 6! A ♥7 Q ♣3 J Q ♥9 ♠2 A ♣K ♣ 9 10 A ♠ 5 ♦5 - K ♠7 ♦ 7! ♠ - ♣ - J W endplayed, lose 1 Made 3 N-S +400

♦2 ♦4

♣Q ♥ A! ♠2 ♣8 ♥J ♠3

K 6 9! J A Q K ♣9 - 10! A ♦Q A ♠K - ♣3 ♥5 8 ♦Lose the last trick

4 ♥ by East

Made 4

8 TT

♦2

♠ Q 10 4 ♥A K J 2 ♦K 8 6 ♣K 9 2

1. N 2. W 3. E 4. N 5. W 6. E 7. W 8. E 9. E

6 NT by West 6 TT

♠ 10 9 4 2 ♥9 7 6 ♦ K 10 9 5 ♣K 7

♥J

1. W 2. W 3. S 4. N 5. S 6. E 7. N 8. E 9. S 10. S

3 NT by South

E-W +420 -

♥4 ♠ Q! -

♦3

Q 10 Win the rest

♥ 5! ♥♣♥J ♠ 10

10 A K K Q A 10 ♣ K ♣J ♦8! -

Made 6 E-W +1440

♥Q 2 ♥ 10 -

♦2 ♦4

A Q 9! -

3 A K K ♥J -

♣2 ♥9 ♦6 K ♠ 2 K! ♠A ♦J ? West is squeezed Made 4 N-S +630

Card Combinations

Practice 4A17 West

South 2♠

Pass

North East 1♠ Pass 4♠ (end)

7,7

18,20

7,7

Bid:

Resp to 1 of a suit Follow up major raise Finessing technique Choose discard Protect dummy’s suit

Play: Def:

West

8,10

1♠ 6♠

North East Pass Pass 3♠ (end)

South Pass Pass

17,20

9,10

3,5

Bid: Play: Def:

Passed hand response Slam decision Finessing technique When to cover honor

West

North East

Pass (end) 8,9 Bid:

11,12

2♥

Dbl

South 1♥ 3♥

7,7

11,12

14,16

Def:

Cope with T/O double Follow up major raise Finessing technique Ruff in short hand Leading trumps

West 1 NT 4♥ 5♠ 6♣ 15,17

North Pass Pass Pass Pass 4,4

Bid:

Response to 1 NT Blackwood convention Finessing technique Automatic squeeze Protect dummy’s suit

Play:

Play: Def:

East 3♥ 4 NT 5 NT 6♥ 15,16

South Pass Pass Pass (end) 6,8

1

2

3

♠ A K 10 4 2 9 TT 1. E 2. N ♥6 5 3 3. N ♦A K J 4. S ♣ K 10 5. N ♠J 8 7 6 ♠3 6. N N ♥Q ♥ K 10 8 4 2 W E 7. W ♦Q 9 7 ♦ 10 8 5 2 S 8. E ♣Q 9 7 5 2 ♣AJ6 9. E ♠Q 9 5 10. N ♥A J 9 7 11. N ♦6 4 3 12. N ♣8 4 3 4 ♠ by North None Vul

♦2

-

Q

K

♠K ♠2 ♥2 Q ♠ 9 8 10! ♦ 5 ♠A ♦8 ♣3 ♥3 9! Q ♣5 K A ♣J ♣6 ♦4 Q ♠4

♦A ♦J ♥- ♥-

♥5 Made 4

-

J ♣N-S +420

♠K 4 10 TT 1. N ♥ Q K - ♣3 ♥ Q J 10 8 2 2. E ♠ 3 Q K ♦5 4 3 3. N ♥ J A - ♣4 ♣ K 10 9 4. E ♦ 10 6 2! 5. E ♠ 5 ♥ 6 A ♠ A Q J 10 9 ♠8 7 6 5 3 N Win the rest ♥— ♥ A K 4 W E ♦A K Q 2 ♦ 10 9 S ♣J 5 4 3 ♣A 6 2 ♠2 ♥9 7 6 5 3 ♦J 8 7 6 ♣Q 8 7 6 ♠ by West Made 6 E-W +980 N-S Vul

E-W Vul

♠Q 7 6 4 ♥ Q J 10 ♦ 10 8 7 6 ♣K 3

4

by Richard Pavlicek

♠ 10 5 3 ♥K 3 2 ♦K J 3 2 ♣6 4 2 N W

E S

7 TT

♠A K J 8 ♥5 4 ♦Q 9 4 ♣ J 10 8 7

♠9 2 ♥A 9 8 7 6 ♦A 5 ♣A Q 9 5

1. W 2. N 3. W 4. S 5. S 6. W 7. E

K A J -

Win the rest

3 ♥ by South

♠J 4 3 10 TT 1. S 2. E ♥6 5 4 3. W ♦J 2 4. E ♣ Q 10 8 3 2 5. E ♠8 7 5 ♠A K 9 6. N N ♥ A J 10 3 ♥K Q 9 8 7 W E 7. E ♦ A Q 10 3 ♦7 6 4 S 8. W ♣A 7 ♣K 4 9. E ♠ Q 10 6 2 10. W ♥2 11. E ♦K 9 8 5 ♣J 9 6 5 6 ♥ by East Both Vul

♥Q K ♣2 9! ♥J ♣A ♣ Q ♥ 10 ♠4 K ♠A -

Made 3

♠2 ♥~ ♥~ ♥K ♣6

♦~ ♠4

♦~

A -

♣♣4 ♥J ♣♥ 8! ?

N-S +140 J A 9 10 Q K A Q

K ♣5 J ♠-

South is squeezed Made 6 E-W +1430