Bidding & Finessing

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

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

1. E-W vul	7 5 A J 10 6 Q 10 4 2 A J 10		West North East South     Pass Pass   Pass
Lead: 4
3 NT South	K Q 2 K 2 A K J 3 Q 9 7 2

Excluding the spade suit, how many top tricks do you have? 

On the first trick East plays the J. Do you win this? 

How many more tricks do you need to succeed? 

Which two suits offer a chance for extra tricks? 

Which opponent do you wish to keep off lead? 

What is the best play to make your contract? 

A. Lead the 2 to dummy’s jack B. Cash the K then lead the 3 to dummy’s jack C. Lead the 3 to dummy’s 10 then lead the J and let it ride

Quit

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2. N-S vul	A 4 3 2 K 7 6 Q J 3 A K J		West North East South     3 Pass   Pass
Lead: K
6 South	— Q 5 A K 10 9 8 7 5 10 9 5 4

How many top tricks do you have? 

Who do you expect to have the A? 

How many hearts is West likely to hold? 

What do you discard on the A at trick one, or do you ruff the trick in your hand? 

Will you draw the enemy trumps right away? 

What is the best play to make your contract? 

A. Lead the 5 to dummy’s king B. Win the K then lead the 6 to your queen C. Win the K, ruff a spade, then take the club finesse

Quit

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3. Both vul	Q 9 3 K 8 7 6 5 9 7 5 2 K		West North East South     Pass Pass   Pass Pass
Lead: J
6 South	A 2 A A Q 10 A Q J 10 9 7 4

How many top tricks do you have? 

You cover with the Q and East produces the king. Do you win the ace? 

Who do you expect to have the 10? 

Will you draw the enemy trumps right away? 

What is the first card you will lead? 

What is the best play to make your contract? 

A. Lead the 2 from your hand B. Win the K, throw a spade on the K and finesse the Q C. Win the K, throw a spade on the K and finesse the 10

Quit

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© 1994 Richard Pavlicek