Exercise 4P35 Main


Join the Establishment


 by Richard Pavlicek

As South, answer each question about the play in the contracts shown.

1. S 6 4 3
None vulH A 8 3
D 5 2
C A Q 8 5 4
Table 
Lead: S 5East plays S Q 
 
 
S A K 8
H K 6 4
D A K 8 4 3
3 NT SouthC J 2

How many top tricks? 

Which suit will you try to establish? 

Do you win the first trick? 

If West covers your C J, what is the best play? 
A. Let West win the C K
B. Win the C A and duck a club
C. Win the C A and duck a diamond

2. S K 8
None vulH 7 5 3
D K Q 10
C 8 7 6 5 2
Table 
Lead: D 4 
 
 
S A Q J 10 9 5
H K 6 4
D A J 3
4 S SouthC K

How many top tricks? 

Which diamond will you win at trick one? 

How many rounds of trump will you lead right away? 

What is the best play? 
A. Lead a club toward your king
B. Lead the C K from hand
C. Lead a heart toward your king

 Quit

Top Join the Establishment

3. S A Q 3
Both vulH A 3
D 9 8 4
C J 9 7 5 3
Table 
Lead: C K 
 
 
S K J 10 5 4
H K Q 6 5 2
D Q 7 2
4 S SouthC —

How many top tricks? 

Which suit will you try to establish? 

How many rounds of trump will you lead right away? 

What is the best play? 
A. Cash three hearts to throw a diamond
B. Cash two hearts; ruff a heart low
C. Cash two hearts; ruff a heart high

4. S Q 10 6 4
None vulH A 8 7 6 5 4
D 6 3
C A
Table 
Lead: C Q 
 
 
S A 8 5 3
H 3 2
D A Q 9 4 2
4 S SouthC K 6

How many top tricks? 

Which suit will you try to establish? 

How many rounds of trump will you lead right away? 

What is the best play? 
A. Lead the H 4
B. Lead the D 3 and finesse the nine
C. Lead the D 3 and finesse the queen

 Quit

Top Join the Establishment

5. S A 5 3 2
None vulH 5 4 3
D 7
C K J 6 4 3
Table 
Lead: D 3East plays D K 
 
 
S K 10 4
H A K J
D A J 9 6 5
3 NT SouthC A 9

How many top tricks? 

Do you win the first trick? 

How many diamond tricks could you lose (at most) if led by you or East? 

What is the best play? 
A. Win the C A then run the C 9
B. Win the C A then finesse the jack
C. Lead the D J

6. S A 3
E-W vulH A 10 3
D Q 7 5
C A J 5 4 3
Table 
Lead: C 10 
 
 
S K Q J 10 9 2
H K 5 2
D 4 2
4 S SouthC 6 2

How many top tricks? 

How many entries do you need to set up clubs if 4-2? 

Which entry to dummy will you save to use last? 

What is the best play? 
A. Win the C A and lead the C 3
B. Duck the C 10
C. Cover the C 10 with the jack

 Quit

Top Join the Establishment

© 1995 Richard Pavlicek