This Is a Holdup!

How well do you know the holdup play? Answer each question about the play.
Assume you, South, open 1 NT and partner bids 3 NT on each deal.

1.	A 8 4
None vul	K 2
	J 10 4
	A 10 9 8 7
Lead: 7		East plays Q
	10 3
	A Q J
	A Q 9 8 7
3 NT South	Q J 4

How many top tricks do you have? 

On which round do you win the A? (1 2 3) 

In which suit(s) will you finesse for the king? 

2.	9 3 2
None vul	9 5 4
	K
	K Q J 10 5 4
Lead: 6		East plays J
	A 7 5
	K 6 3
	A J 6 4 3
3 NT South	A 2

How many top tricks do you have? 

On which round do you win the A? (1 2 3) 

Which suit do you plan to lead first? 

Quit Top This Is a Holdup!

3.	9 6 2
None vul	A K J
	6 3 2
	Q J 10 2
Lead: 5		East plays J
	A K 7
	Q 4 3
	A K Q 8
3 NT South	9 7 4

How many top tricks do you have? 

On which round do you win the spade lead? (1 2) 

Which suit do you plan to lead first? 

4.	6 4
None vul	Q 4
	7 6 2
	A Q 10 9 3 2
Lead: Q		East plays K
	A 7 5 3
	A 7 3
	K J 5
3 NT South	K J 4

How many top tricks do you have? 

On which round do you win the A? (1 2 3) 

Will you lead a diamond to the Jack, or to the King? 

Quit Top This Is a Holdup!

5.	8 5 3
None vul	A 6 2
	Q 10 4
	A 10 9 7
Lead: Q		East plays 2
	A K 6
	K 7 3
	K J 8
3 NT South	Q J 8 3

How many top tricks do you have? 

On which round do you win the spade lead? (1 2) 

Which suit do you plan to lead first? 

6.	J
None vul	A Q 10
	7 6 5 4 2
	K Q J 10
Lead: 5		East plays K
	A 7 4 3
	K 9
	A K Q
3 NT South	9 6 5 2

How many top tricks do you have? 

On which round do you win the A? (1 2 3) 

What do you discard from dummy as spades are led? 

Quit Top This Is a Holdup!

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek