Practice 4G01
Main
Notrump Leads & Strategy
by Richard Pavlicek
West
North
East
South
1. N deals
K 10 4
TT=5
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
1 NT
Pass
3 NT
None vul
K 5 3
1. E
2!
8
A
3
Pass
Pass
Pass
Q 8 5
2. W
9!
10
J!
Q
A K J 9
3. S
6
3
A
2
7 7
16 16
5 6
12 12
9 8 7 5
A J 3 2
4. N
5
2
10
K
A 7 4
10 9 6
2
5. W
7
K
A
6
K 9 6
3 2
6. E
2
4
8
4
10 4 3
8 5 2
7. W
5
9
3
7
Q 6
Win the rest
Q J 8
Bidding
Response to 1 NT
A J 10 7 4
Defense
Read partner’s lead
Q 7 6
Shift to another suit
3 NT North
Down 1 -50
West
North
East
South
2. E deals
4 3
TT=7
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
1
Pass
N-S vul
A 9 4
1. S
K
!
3
9
2
1
Pass
1 NT
Pass
Q 8 3 2
2. S
Q
!
5
4!
6
2 NT
Pass
3 NT
AP
9 7 5 3
3. S
10
7
A
8
A J 10 2
K Q 7
4. N
3!
10
4
2
11 11
6 7
14 14
9 9
7 5 3
J 8 6 2
Lose 2 more tricks
J 9 4
K 7 5
K Q 2
A J 10
9 8 6 5
K
Q 10
Bidding
Rebid by responder
A 10 6
Defense
Do not unblock
8 6 4
Passive defense
3 NT East
Down 1 -50
West
North
East
South
3. S deals
Q 7 6
TT=8
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
1 NT
E-W vul
K Q 3 2
1. W
J
2
A
3
Pass
2
Pass
2
2
2. E
8!
9
10
6
Pass
3 NT
AP
Q J 10 9 4
3. W
9!
7
A
!
3
J 9 8 2
A 10 5
4. E
4!
Q
K
2
6 8
10 12
8 8
16 16
J 10 9
6 5 4
5. W
7
4
3
5
K
J
10 7 6
A 8 4
Lose 1 more trick
5
8 7 6 3
K 4 3
A 8 7
Bidding
Stayman convention
Q 9 5 3
Defense
Return proper card
A K 2
Shift to correct suit
3 NT South
Down 2 -100
West
North
East
South
4. W deals
Q 10 6
3
TT=6
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
2 NT
Pass
3 NT
Pass
Both vul
A 9 6 2
1. N
3
2
J
A
Pass
Pass
J 4
2. W
2
4
Q
A
9 8 6
3. S
7!
4
10
9
21 22
7 7
6 7
6 7
A K 8 4
9 2
4. N
9!
10
4
5
K 8
Q 10 7
5. E
7
3
K
A
K 5 2
Q 9 8 3
6. N
2!
10
J
8
A K J 5
Q 10 3 2
7. S
5
K
6
3
J 7 5
Lose 1 more trick
J 5 4 3
Bidding
Opening 2 NT & response
A 10 7 6
Defense
Return proper card
7 4
Passive defense
3 NT West
Down 1 -100
Practice 4G05
Main
Notrump Leads & Strategy II
Top
by Richard Pavlicek
West
North
East
South
1. N deals
K 8
TT=7
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
1
1
Dbl
None vul
A J 10
1. E
6
4
9
10
Pass
1 NT
Pass
3 NT
K 6 5
2. N
5
2
Q
4
Pass
Pass
Pass
Q 9 8 7 2
3. S
J
A
!
2
4
9 7 5 3
J 10 2
4. W
2
J
Q
5
4 5
13 14
10 10
13 13
9 2
K Q 8
6
3
5. E
3
7
3!
A
10 8 4 3
J 2
6. N
K
J
7
3
Bidding
Negative double
A 5 3
K 6 4
7. N
6
6
A
8
Rebid by opener
A Q 6 4
Win 3 more tricks
Play
Holdup play
7 5 4
Set up suit at notrump
A Q 9 7
Defense
Grab lead quickly
J 10
Return partner’s suit
3 NT North
Down 1 -50
West
North
East
South
2. E deals
K 6 5
TT=6
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
1
Pass
N-S vul
K 6 5 4
1. S
10
3
K
A
1
Pass
2 NT
Pass
J 4 3
2. E
2
3
Q
5!
3
Pass
3 NT
AP
K 7 2
3. W
5
3
A
2
A Q J 10 8
7 2
4. E
7
4
J
K
9 10
10 10
18 20
3 3
Q 9 2
A 8 7
5. N
7
8
9
5
7 6 5
A K Q 10
6. S
9!
6
J
K
Bidding
Rebid by opener
5 3
A J 8 4
7. E
Q
8
7
4
Rebid by responder
9 4 3
8. E
10
9
8
6
Play
Finessing technique
J 10 3
9. E
7
10
Q
K
Combine chances
9 8 2
10. N
2
4
6
2
Defense
Holdup play
Q
10
9 6
11. S
Q
9
4
J
Return proper card
3 NT East
Down 1 -50
South is endplayed
West
North
East
South
3. S deals
7
4
TT=6
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
Pass
E-W vul
A 10 7 3
1. N
7
5
3
K
1 NT
Pass
3 NT
Pass
K 9 7 2
2. W
9
2
4
10
Pass
Pass
J 5 2
3. S
2!
Q
A
5
K Q J 2
A 8 5
4. N
3
8
J
6
16 17
8 9
10 11
6 6
K Q 6
8 5
5. S
4
K
7
3
A J 8 4
10 6 3
6. W
3
5
Q
K
9 3
A Q 8 7 4
7. S
9
4
10
6
Bidding
Response to 1 NT
10 9 6 3
Win the rest
Play
Finessing technique
J 9 4 2
Set up suit at notrump
Q 5
Defense
Read partner’s lead
K 10 6
Shift to another suit
3 NT West
Down 1 -100
West
North
East
South
4. W deals
K 8 3
TT=4
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
Pass
Pass
Pass
1 NT
Both vul
J 9 7
1. W
6
7
A
2
Pass
2 NT
Pass
3 NT
10 8 2
2. E
J!
Q
A
2
Pass
Pass
Pass
A 9 8 7
3. W
6
10
K
3
10 6 5
9 7 4 2
4. E
9
4
5
8
7 7
8 8
8 9
17 17
6
5 4
A 10 8
5. E
7
10
4
7
A 6 5
K J 9 7
6. E
8
Q
5
9
K 6 4 3
5 2
7. S
Q
3
8
2
A Q J
Claim the rest
K Q 3 2
Bidding
Response to 1 NT
Q 4 3
Defense
Read partner’s lead
Q J 10
Entrapment play
3 NT South
Down 1 -100
Practice 4G09
Main
Notrump Leads & Strategy III
Top
by Richard Pavlicek
West
North
East
South
1. N deals
9 5 4
TT=4
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
1
1
2 NT
None vul
8 4
1. W
7
4
A
3
Pass
3 NT
Pass
Pass
K Q J 10 7
2. E
9!
K
6!
4
Pass
A K J
3. S
3
9
10
A
7
6
A Q 10 8 2
4. E
7
10
J
8
5 7
14 15
10 11
11 11
A J 6 5 2
9 7 3
5. W
A
5
3
Q
9 6
A 5 2
Lose 2 more tricks
7 6 4 2
5 3
K J 3
K Q 10
Bidding
Cope with overcall
8 4 3
Defense
Shift to proper card
Q 10 9 8
Duck to retain tenace
3 NT South
Down 2 -100
West
North
East
South
2. E deals
10 9 2
TT=6
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
1 NT
Pass
N-S vul
8 7 3 2
1. S
J
A
2
4
3 NT
Pass
Pass
Pass
4 3
2. W
2
4
J
Q
K 10 9 3
3. S
10!
K
3
5
10 10
3 4
17 18
10 10
8 4 3
A Q 5
4. W
7
3
10
K
A K Q 9
6 5 4
5. S
9!
8
7
A
8 7 2
A J 10 5
6. E
5!
6
3
2!
J 8 2
A Q 6
7. S
7!
8
9
Q
K J 7 6
8. E
6
7
Q
8
J
10
9. W
9
3
5
4
Bidding
Response to 1 NT
K Q 9 6
10. W
4
9
Q
K
Defense
Choose lead at notrump
7 5 4
Win 2 more tricks
Passive defense
3 NT East
Down 1 -50
West
North
East
South
3. S deals
Q 6 2
TT=6
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
Pass
E-W vul
K 6 5 4
1. N
7
5
3
K
2
Pass
2
Pass
A 7 2
2. W
4
2
Q
K
2 NT
Pass
3 NT
AP
7
6 2
3. S
J!
A
!
6
2
A K J 10
8 5 3
4. W
A
2
3
4
23 24
9 9
4 5
4 5
A Q 3
9 2
5. W
6
7!
9
3
10 6 4
Q J 9 8 5
6. E
5
7
J
Q
A K Q
J 10 5
7. N
A
!
5
4
10
Bidding
Opening 2
& response
9 7 4
8. N
6!
8
9
10
Play
Read enemy lead
J 10 8 7
Lose last 2 tricks
Shun finesse
K 3
Defense
Read partner’s lead
9 8 4 3
Holdup play
3 NT West
Down 1 -100
West
North
East
South
4. W deals
K Q J
TT=7
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
Pass
1 NT
Pass
2
Both vul
K 7 2
1. E
5
3
K
2
Pass
2
Pass
3 NT
Q J 7 2
2. W
10
J
?
4!
3
Pass
Pass
Pass
A 8 3
3. N
3
4
K
6
A 8 3
10 9 2
4. S
4
A
!
J
2
7 7
16 16
7 8
10 12
9 8 5 4
Q J 10
5. W
6
Q
A
5
K 10 6
A 9 8
5
4
Lose 2 more tricks
10 7 6
4 2
7 6 5 4
Bidding
Response to 1 NT
A 6 3
Play
Deceptive play
3
Defense
Duck to retain entry
K Q J 9 5
Grab lead quickly
3 NT North
Down 1 -100
Practice 4G13
Main
Notrump Leads & Strategy IV
Top
by Richard Pavlicek
West
North
East
South
1. N deals
Q 4 3
TT=7
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
1 NT
Pass
3 NT
None vul
A K J 3
1. E
8
4
2
A
Pass
Pass
Pass
6 4 3
2. N
3
5
J
Q
A K 6
3. W
10!
3
7
A
6 7
17 17
6 6
11 12
10 9 8 5
K J 7 6
4. S
K
A
4
7
10 9 2
8
7 6
5. W
8
Q
K
2
A Q 2
8 7 5
6. E
J
2
5
4
10 9 8
Q 7 5
7. E
6
3
9
6
A 2
Win the rest
Bidding
Response to 1 NT
Q 5 4
Play
Play for best chance
K J 10 9
Defense
Choose lead at notrump
J 4 3 2
Read partner’s lead
3 NT North
Down 1 -50
West
North
East
South
2. E deals
A 9 8
7
2
TT=7
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
2
Pass
N-S vul
Q 10 9 6
1. N
7
3
K
5
2 NT
Pass
3
Pass
Q 5
2. S
10
J
2!
5
3 NT
AP
9 4
3. W
3!
4
Q
5
Q J 6 5
3
4. E
2
9!
K
Q!
17 18
8 9
9 11
6 6
A 8 4
K 7 5
5. W
8
5
A
3
K 8
A 10 7 6 4 2
6. E
7
6
K
9
A K 8 3
Q 7 2
7. W
A
6
2
10
K 10 4
8. W
4
9
K
2
J 3 2
9. E
7
3
A
Q!
Bidding
Resp to weak two-bid
J 9 3
Lose the rest
Defense
Holdup play
J 10 6 5
Unblocking play
3 NT West
Down 1 -50
West
North
East
South
3. S deals
J 10 3
TT=6
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
2 NT
E-W vul
4 3 2
1. W
J!
K
2
5
Pass
3 NT
Pass
Pass
Q 6 4
2. N
2
6
10
J
Pass
K Q 4 3
3. W
7!
J
9!
Q
7 4 2
K 9 8 6 5
4. S
6
10
Q
7
6 6
8 8
6 7
20 22
K J 9 7
6 5
5. N
3
5
Q
K
J 9 7 3
K 8 5
6. W
4
3
5
A
J
10
9 7 2
7. S
A
3
3
9
A Q
8. S
8
7
4
5
Bidding
Opening 2 NT & response
A Q 10 8
9. S
A
7
4
6
Play
Finessing technique
A 10 2
10. S
8
9
4
8!
Defense
Choose lead at notrump
A 8 6 5
11. W
2
10
K
2
Passive defense
3 NT South
Down 1 -50
12. E
8
10
9
6
West
North
East
South
4. W deals
10 8 6 3 2
TT=7
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
Pass
Pass
1 NT
Pass
Both vul
A 8 3
1. S
9
A
4
5
2 NT
Pass
3 NT
Pass
8 7 6 4
2. W
2
6
J
Q
Pass
Pass
6
3. S
2!
5
A
4
K J 5
A 9
4. N
8
10
J
6
9 10
4 6
16 18
11 12
6 5
Q 10 7 4
5. S
2!
J
6
10
A J 3
K Q 10 5
6. W
3
2
9
K
10 8 7 3 2
A J 9
7. S
K
5
3
7
Q 7 4
Claim the rest
Bidding
Response to 1 NT
K J 9 2
Play
Finessing technique
9
2
Defense
Choose lead at notrump
K Q 5 4
Active defense
3 NT East
Down 1 -100
Practice 4G17
Main
Notrump Leads & Strategy V
Top
by Richard Pavlicek
West
North
East
South
1. N deals
A Q 9 6
TT=6
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
Pass
1
Pass
None vul
Q 4 2
1. S
4
7
8!
Q
1
Pass
1 NT
Pass
K 10 8 6
2. E
10
2
7
Q
3 NT
AP
9 3
3. N
9!
2
4
J
K J 8 7
10 3
4. W
J
Q
K
A
13 13
11 12
12 14
4 5
J 3
K 10 8 5
5. S
2
3
6
A
J 9 7 3
A Q 5
6. E
3
4
J
A
A Q J
K 10 7 2
7. N
4
8
9
3
5 4 2
Lose 1 more trick
Bidding
Resp to 1 of a suit
A 9 7 6
Rebid by responder
4
2
Defense
Read partner’s lead
8 6 5 4
Passive defense
3 NT East
Down 1 -50
West
North
East
South
2. E deals
4 3
TT=6
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
Pass
2
N-S vul
J 5 2
1. W
10
2
3
A
Pass
2
Pass
2 NT
J 10 9 8 5 2
2. S
3
7!
8
A
Pass
3 NT
AP
Q 5
3. E
5!
J
A
3
A 10 6 2
Q 9 7 5
4. W
2
4
Q
8
7 8
4 5
6 8
23 23
10
9 8
7 6 4 3
5. E
7
K
6
2
K 7
A
6. S
4
K
5
4
8 7 6 2
10 9 4 3
7. W
10
9
9
6
K J 8
Claim the rest
A K Q
Bidding
Opening 2
& response
Q 6 4 3
Defense
Read partner’s lead
A K J
Read suit layout
3 NT South
Down 1 -100
West
North
East
South
3. S deals
K Q 9
TT=6
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
1
E-W vul
6 5
1. E
8!
3
10!
Q
1
2 NT
Pass
3 NT
Q J 5 4
2. N
6
A
!
3
2
Pass
Pass
Pass
A 10 6 5
3. E
2!
4
A
9
A J 10 7 6
8
2
4. W
J
K
7
5
10 10
12 13
5 6
13 14
K 4 2
A 9 7
5. N
4
2
A
3
10 9 3
7 6 2
6. S
K
9
5
6
Q 3
J 9 8 7 4
7. S
8
10
Q
7
5 4 3
8. N
J
4
8
4
Q J 10 8 3
Win 2 more tricks
Bidding
Cope with overcall
A K 8
Defense
Lead partner’s suit
K 2
Grab lead quickly
3 NT North
Down 1 -50
West
North
East
South
4. W deals
K 10 8
3
2
TT=6
Lead
2nd
3rd
4th
2 NT
Pass
3
Pass
Both vul
6 4
1. N
3
Q
4
6
3
Pass
3 NT
Pass
Q 8 7
2. E
10
A
!
2
7
Pass
Pass
8 6 4
3. S
9
J
K
5
A J 6
Q 5
4. N
10
5
7
A
20 20
5 6
7 8
8 8
A K Q
8 5 3 2
5. W
A
4
2
7
K J 6 5 2
10 9
6. W
K
6
3
9
Q 3
A J 10 9 5
7. W
Q
4
5
10
9 7 4
8. W
Q
6
9
2!
J 10 9 7
9. W
3
8
10?
K
Bidding
Opening 2 NT & response
A 4 3
10. S
J
5
2
8
Defense
Grab lead quickly
K 7 2
11. S
4
Refuse first finesse
3 NT West
Down 2 -200
Win 1 more trick
Practice 4G01-4G17
Main
Top
20 Practice Deals
© 1990 Richard Pavlicek
by Richard Pavlicek by Richard Pavlicek