Practice 4E01   Main


Important Suit Tactics


  by Richard Pavlicek


West

Pass
Pass
NORTH
1 H
2 H
4 H
East
Pass
Pass
All Pass
South
1 S
3 H
Board 1 S A 7 3
H K 9 7 6 4 2
D A J 3
C 8
Trick
1 E
2 S
3 E
4 N
5 N
6 S
Lead
C K
C 7!
D 2
H K!
H 2
C 9
2nd
A
4
5
8
10
5
3rd
3
D 3!
K
3
A
D J
4th
8
J
A
5
Q
Q
W L
1 0
1 1
2 1
3 1
4 1
4 2
S Q J 9 6
H Q 5
D K 10 8 4
C 5 4 3
TableS 10 5
H J 10 8
D Q 9 2
C K Q J 6 2
Bidding
Play
Rebid by responder
Loser-on-loser play
 Play

 
S K 8 4 2
H A 3
D 7 6 5
C A 10 9 7
4 H North9 top tricksLose 1 trump trickmade 4 +420


West

1 S
4 S
North

Pass
All Pass
EAST
1 D
2 S
South
Pass
Pass
Board 2 S A 6 4 2
H Q 10 6 2
D A 7
C 9 7 2
Trick
1 N
2 S
3 E
4 W
5 W
6 W
7 W
8 N
9 E
10 W
11 E
Lead
H 2
H 7
C 3!
C A
C K
D J!
D Q
S 2
D 9!
H J
D K
2nd
3
9
6
7
9
7
A
7
6
Q
8
3rd
K
10
J!
4
H 8
2
4
3
S 9
S 8
S 10
4th
4
A
2
5
10
3
5
5
H 6
5
S A
W L
0 1
1 1
2 1
3 1
4 1
5 1
5 2
6 2
7 2
8 2
8 3
S J 10 9 5
H J 9 4
D Q J
C A K J 8
TableS K Q 8 7
H A 8 3
D K 9 4 2
C 4 3
Bidding
Play
 
Follow up major raise
Desperation finesse
Crossruff
 Play

 
S 3
H K 7 5
D 10 8 6 5 3
C Q 10 6 5
4 S West6 top tricksDummy is goodmade 4 -420


West

Pass
North

4 S
East

All Pass
SOUTH
3 S
Board 3 S K 3
H A 10 9 3
D K 4 3
C A K Q 4
Trick
1 W
2 N
3 S
4 N
5 S
6 S
7 N
8 S
9 N
10 E
Lead
H K
H 3!
S 6
H 10!
S A
C 3
H 9!
C 10
C A
H 8
2nd
A
5
4
6
Q
2
J
J
S J
D 6!
3rd
4
S 5
K
S 7
3
Q
S 8
K
D 5
D 7
4th
2
7
2
Q
10
5
C 7
6
8
D 3
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
7 0
8 0
8 1
8 2
S Q 4
H K Q 7
D Q 10 7
C J 9 8 7 2
TableS J 10 2
H J 8 6 5 4
D A J 2
C 6 5
Bidding
 
Play
 
Choose weak opening
Response to preempt
Elimination technique
Throw-in play
 Play

 
S A 9 8 7 6 5
H 2
D 9 8 6 5
C 10 3
4 S South9 top tricksE endplayed (lose 1)made 4 +420


WEST
1 NT
2 H
4 D
6 D
North
Pass
Pass
Pass
All Pass
East
2 C
3 D
5 C
South
Pass
Pass
Pass
Board 4 S K J 9 4
H Q 9 7 5
D 8 6 5
C J 8
Trick
1 S
2 W
3 E
4 E
5 W
6 E
7 E
Lead
S 7
D 2
D J
C 2
C 10
D 10!
C 9
2nd
A
6
S 3
3
J
S 8
6
3rd
9
Q
4
K
A
7
H 3!
4th
2
3
5
8
5
8
S 4
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
7 0
S A 6 5
H A J 10 3
D K 7 4 2
C K 10
TableS 2
H 4 2
D A Q J 10 9
C A 9 7 4 2
Bidding
 
Play
Stayman convention
Slam decision
Ruffing finesse
 Play

 
S Q 10 8 7 3
H K 8 6
D 3
C Q 6 5 3
6 D East9 top tricksLose 1 trickmade 6 -1370



Practice 4E05   MainTop   Important Suit Tactics

Important Suit Tactics II


West

4 H
NORTH
1 C
4 S
East
1 H
All Pass
South
3 S
Board 1 S A 5 4 3
H A 8 5 2
D Q J
C K 10 2
Trick
1 W
2 N
3 S
4 N
5 S
6 N
7 S
8 E
9 W
Lead
H 3
H 2
S Q
H 5
S 2
H 8
D 2!
D 5
C 5
2nd
A
9
10
10
D 7
Q
3
6
2!
3rd
7
S 6
A
S 7
3
S 8
J
A
J
4th
4
6
K
K
H J
C 4
K
Q
Q
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
6 1
6 2
7 2
S 10
H K 6 3
D A 10 7 4 3
C 9 6 5 4
TableS K
H Q J 10 9 7
D K 9 8 5
C A J 7
Bidding
 
Play
Weak jump overcall
Sacrifice bid
Elimination technique
 Play

 
S Q J 9 8 7 6 2
H 4
D 6 2
C Q 8 3
4 S South7 top tricksLose 1 more trickmade 4 +420


West

1 S
4 S
North

Pass
All Pass
EAST
1 D
1 NT
South
Pass
Pass
Board 2 S J 10 5
H K Q J 7 5
D 10 6
C Q 10 7
Trick
1 N
2 W
3 W
4 W
5 N
6 E
Lead
H K
S A
S K
H 4
D 10
H 8
2nd
2
5
10
J
A!
D 5
3rd
9
4
6
3
7
D 8!
4th
A
8
Q
6
4
Q
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
3 1
4 1
4 2
S A K 9 7 3 2
H A 4
D 8 4
C J 6 5
TableS 6 4
H 10 8 3 2
D A Q 3 2
C A K 3
Bidding
Play
Defense
Rebid by responder
Loser-on-loser play
Attack dummy’s entry
 Play

 
S Q 8
H 9 6
D K J 9 7 5
C 9 8 4 2
4 S West9 top tricksConcede high trumpmade 4 -420


West

Pass
Pass
All Pass
North

1 H
3 H
East

Pass
Pass
SOUTH
1 D
2 H
4 H
Board 3 S 10
H J 8 7 6
D 10 7 5
C A K 10 4 3
Trick
1 E
2 N
3 S
4 S
5 N
6 S
7 N
8 S
9 N
10 W
Lead
C Q
S 10
S A
C 7
C 3
S 9
C 4
S 8
C 10
H 4
2nd
2
2
5
6
9
7
J
J
D 3
7
3rd
5
Q!
D 5
K
H K
H 6
H Q
H 8
H 10
3
4th
A
3
4
8
D 6
K!
D J
6
H A
2
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
7 0
8 0
8 1
9 1
S J 7 5 3
H A 9 5 4
D A J 6
C 6 5
TableS K 6 4 2
H 3
D K 9 8 3
C Q J 9 8
Bidding
Play
 
Defense
 
Resp to 1 of a suit
Desperation finesse
Crossruff
Play known card
Do not overruff
 Play

 
S A Q 9 8
H K Q 10 2
D Q 4 2
C 7 2
4 H North6 top tricksWin the high trumpmade 4 +420


WEST
1 D
3 H
North
1 S
Pass
East
2 H
4 H
South
Pass
All Pass
Board 4 S K Q 9 8 6 4
H A 2
D Q 10 2
C 8 3
Trick
1 S
2 E
3 N
4 N
5 N
6 E
7 W
8 E
9 E
10 E
11 W
Lead
S 10
H 4
S K
S Q
C 8
H 5
H 3
H 9
D K
D 7
D 5
2nd
2
6
5
D 6!
K
8
S 4
C 9
4
8
Q
3rd
8
J
3
C Q!
7
K
Q
C 4
3
A
H 7
4th
A
A
7
J
2
2
10
S 6
2
10
J
W L
1 0
1 1
1 2
1 3
2 3
3 3
4 3
5 3
6 3
7 3
8 3
S J 7 2
H K J 3
D A 9 5 3
C A 4 2
TableS A 5
H Q 9 7 5 4
D K 7 6
C K 6 5
Bidding
Play
 
Defense
Cope with overcall
Transfer ruff
Set up dummy’s suit
Honor signal
 Play

 
S 10 3
H 10 8 6
D J 8 4
C Q J 10 9 7
4 H East9 top tricksDummy is goodmade 4 -620



Practice 4E09   MainTop   Important Suit Tactics

Important Suit Tactics III


West

4 H
NORTH
1 C
5 C
East
2 C
All Pass
South
2 NT
Board 1 S 2
H 4 3
D A K Q 4
C K Q 10 8 7 6
Trick
1 E
2 N
3 S
4 S
5 N
6 S
7 N
8 W
Lead
D 2
S 2
S A
S 4
H 4!
H 2
C K
D J
2nd
3
6
5
8
7
6
2
Q
3rd
8
Q!
H 3
C 6
A
C 7
4
C 3
4th
A
3
7
9
5
9
A
5
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
6 1
6 2
S 10 8 5 3
H Q 8 6 5
D J 10 9 8
C A
TableS K J 9 7 6
H K J 10 9 7
D 2
C 3 2
Bidding
 
Play
 
Defense
Michaels cue-bid
Combat sacrifice bid
Desperation finesse
Elimination technique
Try for a ruff
 Play

 
S A Q 4
H A 2
D 7 6 5 3
C J 9 5 4
5 C North10 top tricksEast is endplayedmade 5 +400


West

1 NT
2 H
4 H
North

Pass
Pass
All Pass
EAST
Pass
2 D1
2 NT
South
Pass
Pass
Pass
Board 2 S K 10 9 8 7
H Q 6 4 2
D J 3
C 10 9
Trick
1 N
2 E
3 W
4 E
5 W
6 E
7 W
8 E
Lead
C 10
D 2
C J
D 6
D 4
C 3
D 7
C 7
2nd
A
5
9
8
S 7
5
S 9
8
3rd
6
A
K
K
H 7
H K!
H 8
H A!
4th
2
3
4
J
10
S 8
Q
S 10
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
7 0
8 0
S Q 5 2
H A K 5
D A K 9 7 4
C J 2
TableS 4 3
H J 10 9 8 7
D 6 2
C A K 7 3
Note 1
Bidding
Play
 
Jacoby transfer bid
Choose best game
Play for best chance
Crossruff
 Play

 
S A J 6
H 3
D Q 10 8 5
C Q 8 6 5 4
4 H West8 top tricksWin 2 more tricksmade 4 -420


West

Dbl
All Pass
North

2 H
East

Pass
SOUTH
1 H
4 H
Board 3 S 10 7 5
H Q 7 6
D Q 2
C A J 8 7 5
Trick
1 W
2 W
3 S
4 S
5 N
6 S
7 N
8 S
9 W
10 W
11 S
Lead
S K
S J
H A
C 4
C 5
H 3
C 7
S 3
S 9
D K
D 7
2nd
5
7
8
2
9
D 3
10
Q
D 2!
Q
5
3rd
6
4
6
A
H 2
Q
H 4
10
D 6
8
H 7
4th
2
A
9
3
6
10
K
D 4
8
A
10
W L
0 1
1 1
2 1
3 1
4 1
5 1
6 1
6 2
6 3
7 3
8 3
S K Q J 9
H 8
D K J 9 5 3
C K 6 2
TableS 6 4
H J 10 9
D 10 8 6 4
C Q 10 9 3
Bidding
 
Play
 
Cope with T/O double
Follow up major raise
Holdup play
Transfer ruff
 Play

 
S A 8 3 2
H A K 5 4 3 2
D A 7
C 4
4 H South9 top tricksWin the restmade 4 +420


WEST
1 H
2 S
North
Pass
Pass
East
1 S
4 S
South
Pass
All Pass
Board 4 S J 10
H 6 5 4
D J 10 9 8
C Q 9 8 3
Trick
1 S
2 E
3 S
4 E
5 E
6 W
7 S
8 W
9 S
10 W
11 W
Lead
S 6
H K!
S 5
S Q!
D 4
H 10
D Q
H 9
C 2
H 8
H 3
2nd
3
A
7
9
3
5
K
6
A
D 9
C 9
3rd
10
2
J
4
A
D 5!
8
D 7!
8
C 5
C 6
4th
A
4
K
C 3
J
J
6
Q
4
7
C 7
W L
1 0
1 1
2 1
3 1
4 1
4 2
5 2
5 3
6 3
7 3
8 3
S 8 7 4 3
H 10 9 8 3 2
D A K 2
C A
TableS A K Q 2
H K
D 7 6 5 4
C J 6 5 4
Bidding
Play
 
Defense
Follow up major raise
Set up dummy’s suit
Loser-on-loser play
Choose lead at suit
 Play

 
S 9 6 5
H A Q J 7
D Q 3
C K 10 7 2
4 S East7 top tricksCrossruff the restmade 4 -620



Practice 4E13   MainTop   Important Suit Tactics

Important Suit Tactics IV


West

1 S
3 S
NORTH
Pass
Pass
Pass
East
1 H
3 H
4 H
South
Pass
Pass
All Pass
Board 1 S K 10 6 4
H 7 6 5
D K 10 9 3
C K 2
Trick
1 S
2 E
3 E
4 E
5 E
6 S
7 W
8 S
Lead
C 6
H A
H K
H Q
C J!
D 6
C 8
D Q
2nd
3
4
2
9
Q
A
S 4
4
3rd
K
3
D 2
S 7
4
10
D 7!
3
4th
A
7
5
6
2
5
10
J
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
4 1
5 1
5 2
5 3
S A J 9 8 7
H 3
D A 4 2
C 9 8 4 3
TableS 3 2
H A K Q J 10 8
D J 7 5
C A J
Bidding
 
Play
Rebid by opener
Rebid by responder
Loser-on-loser play
 Play

 
S Q 5
H 9 4 2
D Q 8 6
C Q 10 7 6 5
4 H East9 top tricksClaim the restmade 4 -420


West

Pass
Pass
All Pass
North

2 D
4 D
EAST
Pass
Pass
Pass
South
1 H
3 D
5 D
Board 2 S 8
H 6 3
D Q J 10 9 7 6
C A Q 5 4
Trick
1 E
2 S
3 N
4 S
5 S
6 N
7 S
8 N
Lead
H 8
C K
S 8
S A
S 2
C 4
H 4
C 5
2nd
A
8
6
4
5
3
7
7
3rd
2
A!
Q!
H 6
D 6
D 3
D 9
D 4
4th
3
2
3
7
10
J
C 6
D K
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
7 0
7 1
S J 9 5 4 3
H K Q 9 7 2
D K
C J 8
TableS K 10 7 6
H 8
D A 2
C 10 9 7 6 3 2
Bidding
Play
 
Rebid after 2-over-1
Overtaking play
Desperation finesse
 Play

 
S A Q 2
H A J 10 5 4
D 8 5 4 3
C K
5 D North9 top tricksLose 1 more trickmade 5 +600


West

Pass
Pass
North

2 D
4 H
East

Pass
All Pass
SOUTH
1 H
2 H
Board 3 S 3 2
H Q 10 9 8
D A 9 6 2
C A 3 2
Trick
1 W
2 W
3 N
4 N
5 S
6 N
7 S
8 N
9 S
Lead
C K
H 4
D A!
D 2
H 6
D 6
C 7
D 9
C J!
2nd
2!
8
5
Q
5
10
4
K
Q
3rd
5
3
4
H K
9
H A
A
H 7
3
4th
6
2
3
7
S 5
8
8
J
9
W L
0 1
1 1
2 1
3 1
4 1
5 1
6 1
7 1
7 2
S A 10 7
H 5 4
D J 8 7 3
C K Q 10 4
TableS Q J 9 6 5
H 3
D K Q 10 5
C 9 8 5
Bidding
 
Play
 
Defense
Resp to 1 of a suit
Rebid after 2-over-1
Holdup play
Elimination technique
Read partner’s signal
 Play

 
S K 8 4
H A K J 7 6 2
D 4
C J 7 6
4 H South8 top tricksW endplayed (lose 1)made 4 +420


WEST
2 C
3 S
4 NT
5 NT
6 S
North
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
All Pass
East
3 C
4 S
5 D
6 C
South
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
Board 4 S 4 3
H J 9 7 5
D J 9 7 5
C 10 8 5
Trick
1 N
2 W
3 W
4 W
5 E
6 E
7 W
8 N
9 W
10 E
Lead
H 5
D A
D K
D 3
C A
C 3
D 4
C 10
H 2
S 2
2nd
Q
5
7
9
9
J
J
Q
7
3rd
K
6
10
S J!
2
S 9
H 3!
K
S 6
4th
A
2
Q
H 4
5
8
H 6
S 10
8
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
6 1
7 1
8 1
S A K Q 10 9
H A 2
D A K 8 4 3
C 2
TableS J 6 2
H Q 3
D 10 6
C A Q 7 6 4 3
Bidding
 
Play
 
Defense
Opening 2 C & response
Blackwood convention
Avert overruff
Transfer ruff
Choose lead vs slam
 Play

 
S 8 7 5
H K 10 8 6 4
D Q 2
C K J 9
6 S West9 top tricksDraw trump and claimmade 6 -1430



Practice 4E17   MainTop   Important Suit Tactics

Important Suit Tactics V


West

Pass
NORTH
1 S
4 S
East
Pass
All Pass
South
2 S
Board 1 S A K Q 4 3
H A 9
D A 5 2
C K 4 3
Trick
1 E
2 N
3 N
4 N
5 N
6 N
7 W
8 S
9 E
Lead
C J
S A
S K
S Q
H A!
H 9
C 2
H J
S J
2nd
5
7
8
10
4
5
3
8
C 6
3rd
7
2
6
9
2
3
8
C 4!
C 9
4th
K
5
D 8
D 4
6
Q
A
K
3
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
5 1
6 1
6 2
6 3
S 5
H Q 8 6
D Q 10 8 7 4
C Q 9 7 2
TableS J 10 8 7
H K 7 5 4
D 9 3
C J 10 8
Bidding
 
Play
Defense
 
Resp to 1 of a suit
Follow up major raise
Loser-on-loser play
Attitude signal
Discard signal
 Play

 
S 9 6 2
H J 10 3 2
D K J 6
C A 6 5
4 S North10 top tricksWin the restmade 4 +420


West

1 D
2 H
4 H
North

2 C
Pass
All Pass
EAST
Pass
Pass
3 H
South
Pass
Pass
Pass
Board 2 S K Q 10
H 5
D Q 6 5
C K J 10 9 8 6
Trick
1 N
2 E
3 W
4 W
5 E
6 W
7 E
8 W
Lead
S K
D 2!
D K
D 9
S 2!
D 10
S 4
D J
2nd
A
3
6
Q
3
C 6
J
C 8
3rd
9
A
8
H 9
H 8
H 10!
H J
H Q
4th
6
5
4
7
10
S 8
Q
C A
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
7 0
8 0
S 6
H A K J 8
D A K J 10 9
C Q 5 4
TableS A 7 5 4 2
H Q 10 9
D 8 2
C 7 3 2
Bidding
 
Play
 
Cope with overcall
Opener’s reverse bid
Seven-card trump fit
Crossruff
 Play

 
S J 9 8 3
H 7 6 4 3 2
D 7 4 3
C A
4 H West7 top tricksWin 2 high trumpsmade 4 -420


West

1 D
1 NT
North

Pass
Pass
East

1 S
4 S
SOUTH
Pass
Pass
All Pass
Board 3 S 7 3
H K J 10 9
D Q 8 4 2
C 10 6 3
Trick
1 S
2 E
3 W
4 W
5 S
6 S
7 N
8 E
9 W
Lead
C Q
D 3
S A
D J!
H A!
H 8
H K
S 6
D 10
2nd
2
5
3
4
4
7
S J
4
8
3rd
3
A!
5
H 2!
J!
9
5
9
C 9
4th
A
2
2
K
3
6
Q
7
6
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
3 1
3 2
3 3
4 3
5 3
6 3
S A Q 9
H Q 7 4
D A J 10 9
C 7 4 2
TableS K J 10 8 6 5
H 6 3 2
D 3
C A K 9
Play
 
Loser-on-loser play
Ruffing finesse
 Play

 
S 4 2
H A 8 5
D K 7 6 5
C Q J 8 5
4 S East9 top tricksClaim the restmade 4 -620


WEST
3 C
Pass
Pass
North
Pass
3 H
4 S
East
Pass
Pass
All Pass
South
Dbl
3 S
Board 4 S A 6 5 2
H Q 8 6 4
D 9 5 2
C 8 2
Trick
1 W
2 S
3 S
4 E
5 S
6 N
7 S
8 W
9 S
10 N
11 S
Lead
C 10
S K
H 2!
D Q
S 3
C 8
C 4
D 7
D 4
H 4
D 6
2nd
2
9
3
A
C 3
H 5
6
9
C 7
J
C 9
3rd
J
2
8
3
A
K
D 5!
10
S 5
S 4
S 6
4th
A
10
9
2
J
5
H 7
K
8
10
J
W L
1 0
2 0
2 1
3 1
4 1
5 1
5 2
6 2
7 2
8 2
9 2
S 9
H K 10 3
D 7 3
C Q 10 9 7 6 5 3
TableS Q J 10
H A J 9 7 5
D Q J 10 8
C J
Play
 
Break communication
Transfer ruff
 Play

 
S K 8 7 4 3
H 2
D A K 6 4
C A K 4
4 S South8 top tricksConcede high trumpmade 4 +620



Practice 4E21   MainTop   Important Suit Tactics

Important Suit Tactics VI


West

1 S
4 H
NORTH
1 D
Pass
All Pass
East
Dbl
2 H
South
Pass
Pass
Board 1 S Q J 4 3
H 8 6 3
D A K Q 10 2
C Q
Trick
1 S
2 N
3 E
4 W
5 E
6 E
7 E
8 S
9 S
10 E
11 W
12 E
Lead
D 7
D A
C 4
C 3
H A
H K
C 7!
C J
D J
S 2
S 9
S 7
2nd
3
H 5
2
D 2!
9
J
8
S 6!
6
8
J
C 6
3rd
Q
8
K
A
2
4
S 5!
D 10
K
K
A
H 7
4th
5
4
Q
5
3
6
S 4
10
H 10
3
10
Q
W L
0 1
1 1
2 1
3 1
4 1
5 1
5 2
5 3
6 3
7 3
8 3
9 3
S K 9 6 5
H 7 4 2
D 9 6 4 3
C K 3
TableS A 7 2
H A K Q 10 5
D 5
C A 10 7 4
Bidding
 
Play
 
Defense
Resp to takeout double
Rebid by doubler
Avert overruff
Transfer ruff
Don’t ruff a loser
 Play

 
S 10 8
H J 9
D J 8 7
C J 9 8 6 5 2
4 H East9 top tricksWin the last trickmade 4 -420


West

Pass
Pass
All Pass
North

2 C
3 S
EAST
Pass
Pass
Pass
South
1 S
2 NT
4 S
Board 2 S K 9 2
H A 4 3
D 8 4
C K 9 7 5 3
Trick
1 W
2 E
3 S
4 S
5 N
6 S
7 N
8 E
9 N
Lead
D Q
H 5
S A
S 3!
C 3
C 4
C 5!
H 6
C 9!
2nd
4
K!
7
10
6
J
Q
2
D 3
3rd
A
10
2
K!
A!
K!
8
8
H 7!
4th
2
3
6
J
2
10
D 7
A!
S Q
W L
0 1
1 1
2 1
3 1
4 1
5 1
5 2
6 2
6 3
S Q 10 7
H Q 10 9 8
D Q J 9 7
C J 2
TableS J 6
H J 6 5
D A 10 6 5 3
C Q 10 6
Bidding
 
Play
 
Defense
 
Resp to 1 of a suit
Rebid after 2-over-1
Trump management
Set up dummy’s suit
Attack dummy’s entry
Attitude signal
 Play

 
S A 8 5 4 3
H K 7 2
D K 2
C A 8 4
4 S South8 top tricksClaim the restmade 4 +620


West

Pass
Pass
North

1 S
4 S
East

Pass
All Pass
SOUTH
1 C
2 S
Board 3 S Q J 8 7 6
H 8 7
D K 7 6 4
C A 2
Trick
1 E
2 N
3 N
4 S
5 N
6 S
Lead
C 9
S Q
S 6
S 3
C 2
C J
2nd
4!
5
4
D 2
H 2
Q
3rd
8
2
K
J
K
S 7
4th
A
9
H 10
10
6
H 3
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
S 9
H K Q 10 9
D Q J 9 2
C Q 8 7 6
TableS 10 5 4
H A 6 5 3 2
D A 10 5 3
C 9
Play
 
 
 
Unblocking play
Ruffing finesse
If C 10 played trick 1
West ducks to defeat
 Play

 
S A K 3 2
H J 4
D 8
C K J 10 5 4 3
4 S North8 top tricksLose 3 tricksmade 4 +420


WEST
1 C
1 S
4 S
North
Pass
Pass
All Pass
East
1 H
3 S
South
Pass
Pass
Board 4 S 10 7
H A 6 4
D Q 10 8 6
C 10 9 4 2
Trick
1 N
2 W
3 E
4 E
5 E
6 W
7 W
8 S
Lead
D 6
S 3
S A
C K
C 3
C Q
C 6
D 9
2nd
2
7
J
7
8
9
10
K
3rd
J
K
4
5
A
D 3
S 2
8
4th
A
5
10
2
4
J
S Q
7
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
6 1
7 1
S 9 8 4 3
H 7 2
D A K 5
C A Q 6 5
TableS A K 6 2
H Q 8 5 3
D 7 3 2
C K 3
Bidding
 
Play
 
Resp to 1 of a suit
Rebid by opener
Ruffing with 4-4 fit
Draw trumps early
 Play

 
S Q J 5
H K J 10 9
D J 9 4
C J 8 7
4 S West8 top tricksLose 2 more tricksmade 4 -620



Practice 4E25   MainTop   Important Suit Tactics

Important Suit Tactics VII


West

3 H
NORTH
1 D
Pass
East
1 H
4 H
South
Pass
All Pass
Board 1 S A Q 10 8
H 10 2
D Q 10 9 6
C A J 9
Trick
1 S
2 W
3 E
4 W
5 N
6 E
7 E
8 W
9 N
10 E
Lead
D 3
C 3!
H 5
C 7
H 10
C Q
D 4
S 4
S 8
D 7
2nd
A
9
9
A
A
6
8
A
K
J
3rd
10
K
K
5
J
D 5
K
3
2
H 4
4th
2
2
2
4
3
J
6
9
5
9
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
3 1
4 1
5 1
6 1
6 2
7 2
8 2
S J 7 6 5 4
H K 4 3
D A K 5
C 7 3
TableS K 3
H A 8 7 6 5
D 7 4 2
C K Q 5
Bidding
Play
 
Defense
 
Resp to suit overcall
Obtain early discard
Timing the play
Lead partner’s suit
Second-hand play
 Play

 
S 9 2
H Q J 9
D J 8 3
C 10 8 6 4 2
4 H East6 top tricksConcede high trumpmade 4 -420


West

Pass
All Pass
North

2 H
EAST
1 C
Pass
South
Dbl
4 H
Board 2 S K 3
H 10 9 8 5 4
D K 7 5
C K 7 5
Trick
1 E
2 N
3 S
4 S
5 S
6 N
7 S
8 S
Lead
S Q
H 10
H Q
C A!
C 2
C 7
S A
S 9
2nd
6
K
2
3
4
10
4
5
3rd
2
A
4
5
K
H 6
3
D 5!
4th
K
3
C 6
8
9
J
7
10
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
6 0
7 0
7 1
S 8 5 4 2
H J 3 2
D J 10 6
C J 4 3
TableS Q J 10 7
H K
D A Q 3
C Q 10 9 8 6
PlayElimination technique Play

 
S A 9 6
H A Q 7 6
D 9 8 4 2
C A 2
4 H North7 top tricksE endplayed (lose 2)made 4 +620


West

Pass
All Pass
North

3 S
East

Pass
SOUTH
1 S
4 S
Board 3 S J 10 9 8 5
H Q J 10
D A J 10
C K 2
Trick
1 W
2 S
3 N
4 S
5 N
6 S
Lead
H 5
S 3
H J
S 4
H 10
D 2!
2nd
Q
6
8
7
4
3
3rd
2
J
S Q!
10
S K
10
4th
A
2
6
H 3
9
Q
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
4 0
5 0
5 1
S 7 6
H K 9 6 5
D 9 8 3
C Q J 8 5
TableS 2
H 8 7 4 3 2
D K Q 4
C A 9 6 4
Play
Defense
Elimination technique
Suit preference signal
 Play

 
S A K Q 4 3
H A
D 7 6 5 2
C 10 7 3
4 S South7 top tricksE endplayed (lose 2)made 4 +420


WEST
1 S
4 S
North
Pass
All Pass
East
2 S
South
Pass
Board 4 S J 4
H K 10 5
D K J 8 6 4
C Q 9 3
Trick
1 N
2 W
3 W
4 E
5 N
6 E
7 N
8 W
9 E
10 E
Lead
D 6
S A
S 3
D 9!
C 3
D 10
C Q
S 6
D Q
H 3
2nd
3
4
J
5
A!
7
5
D 4
C 10
7
3rd
2
2
Q
C 2!
7
C 8!
6
10
H 4
Q
4th
A
7
9
J
4
K
S 5
H 2
8
K
W L
1 0
2 0
3 0
3 1
4 1
4 2
5 2
6 2
7 2
7 3
S A K 8 6 5 3
H A Q 4
D A
C 8 4 2
TableS Q 10 2
H 8 6 3
D Q 10 9 3
C A J 5
PlayLoser-on-loser play Play

 
S 9 7
H J 9 7 2
D 7 5 2
C K 10 7 6
4 S West9 top tricksClaim the restmade 4 -620


Practice 4E25   MainTop   Important Suit Tactics

© 1990 Richard Pavlicek