Exercise 4H53   Main

Beat Four Hearts!

by Richard Pavlicek

As West or East, decide your defense. South opened 1 , North bid 2 and South 4 .

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

What is your lead?

East plays the queen and South the six. Which card do you lead next?

South wins the queen and leads the 5. Which heart do you play?

Which card do you lead next?

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

What is your lead?

North plays the two, East the five and South the nine. Who has the A?

Which card do you lead next?

Declarer wins in dummy and leads the 4 to his king and your ace. Which card do you lead next?

Exercise 4H53   Main

Top   Beat Four Hearts!

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

What is your lead?

East plays the four and South the eight. Who has the A?

From the appearance of dummy, which suit is the most threatening?

Which card do you lead next?

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

West leads the 3, North plays the king and you win. How many spades did West probably start with?

If not the above, how many spades did West start with?

Based on declarer’s play, who has the J?

Which card do you lead next?

Exercise 4H53   Main

Top   Beat Four Hearts!

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

West leads the Q. Which spade do you play?

How many trump tricks are you sure to win?

If you could get a diamond ruff, would it increase the above answer?

Which card do you lead next?

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

West leads the K. Assuming South has at least two clubs, how many tricks are you able to win?

Which suit is your best chance for another trick?

Which card do you play to the first trick?

Which card do you lead at your first opportunity?

Exercise 4H53   Main

Top   Beat Four Hearts!

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek