Choosing the Best Play

Fill in the missing North-South calls and answer each question.

Enter calls like this: P 1H 2C 3N 4S 6D

1. None vul	A 2 4 3 A K 9 7 6 3 5 4 2		West North East South     2 Pass   Pass Pass Pass   Pass
Lead: A
4 South	Q J 10 9 8 7 K 9 2 8 2 A Q

West continues with the Q, and East follows high-low.

How many hearts did East start with? 

How many sure trump winners do you have? (Do not count ruffs) 

How many top tricks do you have in the side suits? 

How many additional tricks are needed to make your contract? 

How will the missing diamonds usually break? 

After winning the K, which play is best? 

A. Lead the Q and let it ride B. Lead the 9 and ruff with the A C. Lead the 9 and ruff with the 2

Quit

Top Choosing the Best Play

2. Both vul	10 6 5 4 A Q 7 6 A K 2 10 2		West North East South     Pass Pass   Pass Pass Pass   Pass
Lead: 3
3 NT South	J 7 2 K 4 3 Q J 4 A Q 7 5

East wins the A and shifts to the 10 at trick two.

How many top tricks do you have? 

Which suits offer a chance for an additional tricks? 

Which of the above chances requires the most work? 

Which of the above chances requires a 3-3 suit break? 

How will the missing hearts usually break? 

After winning the K, which play is best? 

A. Lead the 5 toward the jack B. Win the A-K-Q C. Lead the 2 and finesse the queen

Quit

Top Choosing the Best Play

3. E-W vul	A K 8 5 4 A 7 3 10 5 2 Q 8		West North East South     Pass Pass   Pass Pass Pass
Lead: 6
4 South	Q 10 7 3 2 K 8 2 A Q 7 K 4

East wins the A and returns the 3 at trick two.

How many trump winners do you have? 

How many top tricks do you have in the side suits? 

How many additional tricks are needed to make your contract? 

Which suit offers a chance for an additional trick? 

How will the missing spades usually break? 

After winning the K and drawing trumps, which play is best? 

A. Lead the 2 and finesse the queen B. Lead the 10 and let it ride C. Lead the A-K and another heart

Quit

Top Choosing the Best Play

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek