Counting Tricks at Suits

As South, answer each question.

1.	10 2			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	Q 10 3						1
	K 7 3			Pass	1 NT	Pass	3
	A 9 7 6 2			Pass	4	Pass	Pass
				Pass
Lead: Q
	A K Q J 9 4
	7 2
	A 8 6 2
4 South	3

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

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

How many additional tricks are required to make your contract? 

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by an honor? 

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by length? 

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by ruffing? 

Which side suit will you work on first to obtain an additional trick? 

How many rounds of trumps will you lead immediately? 

Quit

Top Counting Tricks at Suits

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

How many trump winners do you expect with a 3-2 break? (Do not count ruffs) 

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

How many additional tricks are required to make your contract? 

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by an honor? 

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by length? 

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by ruffing? 

Which side suit will you work on first to obtain an additional trick? 

How many rounds of trumps will you lead immediately? 

Quit

Top Counting Tricks at Suits

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

How many trump winners do you expect with a 3-1 break? (Do not count ruffs) 

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

How many additional tricks are required to make your contract? 

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by an honor? 

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by length? 

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by ruffing? 

Which side suit will you work on first to obtain an additional trick? 

How many rounds of trumps will you lead immediately? 

Quit

Top Counting Tricks at Suits

© 1990 Richard Pavlicek