Exercise 4F29   Main


Controlling the Ruffs


  by Richard Pavlicek

As declarer with spades trump, your only concern is the two suits shown.
Decide your goal (tricks to win) and choose your play (A, B or C).

1.
S trump		S A 3 2
H 3 2
North leads Table
 
 
 
S 8 7 6 5 4
H A 5 4

Out of 8 tricks, what is your goal to win?

How would you play?

A. Duck a heart then duck a spade
B. Duck a spade then duck a heart
C. Win S A then duck a heart

2.
S trump		S 4 3 2
H A 3 2
North leads Table
 
 
 
S A K J 6 5
H K Q 5 4

Out of 9 tricks, what is your usual goal to win?

How would you play?

A. Win S A; H A; then finesse S J
B. Win S A then cash hearts
C. Win S A-K then cash hearts

3.
S trump		S 5 4 3 2
H 3 2
Lead: H J Table
 
 
 
S A 8 7 6
H A K 5 4

Out of 8 tricks, what is your goal to win?

You win H A; then what?

A. Win H K then ruff a heart
B. Win S A; H K; then ruff a heart
C. Lead S 6

Exercise 4F29   MainTop   Controlling the Ruffs

4.
S trump		S 5 4 3 2
H 4 3 2
Lead: H 9 Table
 
 
 
S 9 8 7 6
H A K Q 5

Out of 8 tricks, what is your goal to win?

You win H A; then what?

A. Lead spades once only
B. Lead spades twice
C. Cash the top hearts right away

5.
S trump		S K 3 2
H 3 2
North leads Table
 
 
 
S A 7 6 5 4
H A 6 5 4

Out of 9 tricks, what is your goal to win?

How would you play?

A. Duck a spade
B. Win S K then duck a heart
C. Duck a heart then win S K

6.
S trump		S 4 3 2
H Q 3 2
Lead: H 6 TableEast plays H J
 
 
 
S A 8 7 6 5
H K 10 9 4

Out of 9 tricks, what is your goal to win?

You win H K; then what?

A. Win S A then lead a spade
B. Win S A then lead hearts
C. Duck a spade then win S A

Exercise 4F29   MainTop   Controlling the Ruffs

7.
S trump		S Q J 2
H 4 3 2
Lead: H Q Table
 
 
 
S A K 5 4 3
H A K 6 5

Out of 9 tricks, what is your goal to win?

You win H A; then what?

A. Duck a heart
B. Win S Q; S K; then duck a heart
C. Win S Q; H K; then lose a heart

8.
S trump		S Q 3 2
H 3 2
Lead: H Q Table
 
 
 
S A 7 6 5 4
H A K 5 4

Out of 9 tricks, what is your goal to win?

How would you play?

A. Win H A-K then ruff a heart
B. Win H A then lead S 4 toward queen
C. Duck a heart

9.
S trump		S 4 3 2
H 4 3 2
North leads Table
 
 
 
S A K 7 6 5
H A K 6 5

Out of 9 tricks, what is your goal to win?

How would you play?

A. Win S A; H A; H K; lose a heart
B. Win S A then duck a heart
C. Win S A then duck a spade

Exercise 4F29   MainTop   Controlling the Ruffs

© 2014 Richard Pavlicek