Exercise 4G53 Main

Take Me To Your Leader

by Richard Pavlicek

As West or East, answer each question about the defense on each deal.
Assume South opened 1 NT and North raised to 3 NT.

1.
4 3 2
J 7 5
K Q J 5
A 6 3
A Q 10 8
Q 8 6 2
10 9
J 8 2 Table 3 NT South

What is your lead?

Dummy wins the jack, then the 2 is led to South’s jack and your queen. Does the play suggest Active or Passive defense? (A P)

What is the worst suit to lead at this point?

Which card do you lead next?

2.
6 5 4
J
A Q J 7 6
Q 8 7 4
J 7
A 10 8 7 6
5 4 3
J 10 9 Table 3 NT South

What is your lead?

East wins the king as South plays the two. East leads the 3, South plays the nine and you win the trick. How many hearts did East probably start with?

If not the above, how many hearts did East start with?

Which card do you lead next?

Exercise 4G53 Main Top Take Me To Your Leader

3.
7 5 3
J 10 6 2
A K 3
Q 9 7
Q 9 6 2
K Q 7
9 6 2
J 10 3 Table 3 NT South

What is your lead?

East plays the jack and South wins the ace. South leads the 3 and you win the queen. Could East hold the K or 10?

Is it safe to lead a club at this point?

Which card do you lead next?

4.
10 6 4
10 2
K 10 2
A K 9 8 5
3 NT South Table K J 2
Q J 9 8
J 9 4
Q 10 3

West leads the 5. Which spade do you play?

South wins and cashes the K-A (West follows) then leads a club to your queen; West throws the 4. Does West want a heart lead?

Who has the missing spade honor?

Which card do you lead next?

Exercise 4G53 Main Top Take Me To Your Leader

5.
A 9 4
J 9 4
A J 9 5 4
9 3
3 NT South Table 8 3
A 10 8 2
Q 10 7
J 10 8 2

West leads the 7 and North plays the four. Does the dummy suggest Active or Passive defense? (A P)

How many heart honors does partner have?

Which heart do you play at the first trick?

Which card do you lead at your first opportunity?

6.
Q 3 2
9 4
Q 10 6 5
A K J 5
3 NT South Table K 9 8
Q 10 5
9 4 3
Q 10 9 8

West leads the 4 and North plays low. Which spade do you play?

South wins the jack and leads the 2 to the jack and you win the queen. How many spades did West start with?

Who probably has A?

Which card do you lead next?

Exercise 4G53 Main Top Take Me To Your Leader

1.	4 3 2 J 7 5 K Q J 5 A 6 3
A Q 10 8 Q 8 6 2 10 9 J 8 2			3 NT South

2.	6 5 4 J A Q J 7 6 Q 8 7 4
J 7 A 10 8 7 6 5 4 3 J 10 9			3 NT South

3.	7 5 3 J 10 6 2 A K 3 Q 9 7
Q 9 6 2 K Q 7 9 6 2 J 10 3			3 NT South

4.	10 6 4 10 2 K 10 2 A K 9 8 5
3 NT South			K J 2 Q J 9 8 J 9 4 Q 10 3

5.	A 9 4 J 9 4 A J 9 5 4 9 3
3 NT South			8 3 A 10 8 2 Q 10 7 J 10 8 2

6.	Q 3 2 9 4 Q 10 6 5 A K J 5
3 NT South			K 9 8 Q 10 5 9 4 3 Q 10 9 8