Exercise 4M29   Main


A Ruff Day at Work


  by Richard Pavlicek

As West or East, answer each question about the defense.

1.
None Vul
S Q J 10 8 3
H 5 4 3
D J 8 3
C A K
WEST
1 D
Pass
North
1 S
Pass
East
Pass
Pass
South
2 H
S A 4
H Q 8 6 2
D A K 10 4
C 9 7 4
Table2 H South

What is your opening lead?

Partner plays the two. What is your next lead?

Partner plays the nine. Next two leads?

South ruffs the third spade with the H J. Which card do you play?

2.
N-S Vul
S Q 4
H 9 6
D K 6 4 2
C A K Q 6 4
WEST
1 S
Pass
North
2 C
4 H
East
Pass
All Pass
South
3 H
S A K J 7 3
H A 4 3
D Q 10 5 3
C 3
Table4 H South

What is your opening lead?

Partner plays the two. How many spades did partner probably start with?

Do you see any prospects for an uppercut?

Which card do you lead next?

Exercise 4M29   MainTop   A Ruff Day at Work

3.
E-W Vul
S 9 6 2
H 8 7 6 5
D K Q 9
C K J 10
WEST
1 H
Pass
All Pass
North
Pass
2 S
East
Pass
Pass
South
1 S
4 S
4 S SouthTable S Q 4
H Q 2
D 7 6 5 4 2
C 9 8 4 3

West leads the H K. Which heart do you play?

West next leads the C A. Which club do you play?

Who has the D A?

West cashes the H A then leads the H J. Which card do you play?

4.
Both Vul
S J 10 4 2
H A 9 2
D A 5 3
C K J 6
WEST
1 H
Pass
North
Dbl
Pass
East
Pass
Pass
South
2 S
2 S SouthTable S Q 8 3
H 3
D 10 9 8 4
C Q 10 8 7 3

West leads the H Q. Who has the H K?

Declarer wins the H A and leads the S J. Your play?

West wins S A and leads the H 10. Your play?

Which card will you lead when you gain the lead?

Exercise 4M29   MainTop   A Ruff Day at Work

5.
None Vul
S J 10 9 8
H K 5 2
D 9 6 4
C A K Q
West

Pass
NORTH
1 C
3 H
East
1 S
All Pass
South
2 H
3 H SouthTable S A K 6 4 3 2
H 4 3
D K J 5
C 10 9

West leads the S 5. Which spade do you play?

South drops the S Q. Who has the missing spade?

How many hearts is partner likely to have?

Which card do you lead next?

6.
N-S Vul
S K Q 9
H 9 6 5
D A 3
C K 10 9 8 3
West

2 H
All Pass
NORTH
1 C
2 S
East
1 H
3 H
South
1 S
4 S
4 S SouthTable S A 8 6 2
H K Q 10 7 3
D J 10 9
C 6

West leads the H A. Which heart do you play?

West leads a heart to your queen; South follows. Who has the missing heart?

What do you lead next?

On which round will you win the S A?

Exercise 4M29   MainTop   A Ruff Day at Work

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek