Establishing a Side Suit

As South, answer each question about the play.

1.	10 9 2			West	North	East	South
E-W vul	A 8 6 5 2						1
	Q 7 3			Pass	2	Pass	4
	4 2			Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: K
	A K Q J 4 3
	K 3
	8 6 2
4 South	A 3

How many sure trump tricks do you have? 

How many top tricks in the three side suits? 

How many tricks do you need for your contract? 

Which side suit do you plan to establish? 

You win the A and cash the A. Assume spades split 3-1 and hearts split 4-2.

Which cards do you play at trick three?  

…trick four?  

…trick five?  

…trick six?  

…trick seven?  

The missing hands:

8 7 6 Q 9 A 9 5 K Q 10 8 5

5 J 10 7 4 K J 10 4 J 9 7 6

Quit

Top Establishing a Side Suit

2.	8 7 5 2			West	North	East	South
Both vul	A 4 3						1
	Q 6 5 4			Pass	2	Pass	4
	8 2			Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: J
	Q 4 3
	K Q J 10 2
	—
4 South	A K Q 4 3

How many sure trump tricks do you have? 

How many top tricks in the three side suits? 

How many tricks do you need for your contract? 

Which side suit do you plan to establish? 

You ruff the first trick and cash the K. Assume hearts split 4-1 and clubs split 4-2.

Which cards do you play at trick three?  

…trick four?  

…trick five?  

…trick six?  

Which suit next? 

The missing hands:

A J 6 8 J 10 9 3 2 J 10 7 5

K 10 9 9 7 6 5 A K 8 7 9 6

Quit

Top Establishing a Side Suit

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

How many trump tricks do you have with a 3-2 break? 

How many top tricks in the three side suits? 

How many tricks do you need for your contract? 

Which side suit do you plan to establish? 

You win the A and cash the K. Assume hearts split 3-2; diamonds split 4-2.

Which cards do you play at trick three?  

…trick four?  

…trick five?  

…trick six?  

…trick seven?  

The missing hands:

Q 10 9 3 J 10 Q 8 Q J 10 7 5

A J 5 Q 9 8 J 10 9 6 K 9 8

Quit

Top Establishing a Side Suit

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek