Exercise 4P41   Main

Set Up That Suit!

by Richard Pavlicek

Suit establishment is probably the most important technique in declarer play. Do you know the ropes? As South, answer each question. Do not be concerned about overtricks.

1. Both Vul	A 6 4 3 A 5 2 A K J 8 2 J			West Pass All Pass	NORTH 1 2 NT	East Pass Pass	South 1 NT 3 NT
Lead: 5
	K 7 2
	K 7 3
	6 3
3 NT South	K 10 9 8 7

On the spade lead do you win Ace, King or Duck?

What is the best play?

A. Lead the J and let it ride
B. Lead the J to your king
C. Lead the 3 and finesse the jack

2. None Vul	K 4 2 J 9 7 5 3 K 8 5 A K			West Pass	North 4	EAST 1 All Pass	South 1
Lead: Q
	A J 8 7 6 3
	A
	10 6 2
4 South	8 7 3

What is the chance (%) that the hearts will break 4-3?

Who has the A?

What is the best play?

A. Win the A-K and ruff a low heart
B. Win the A-K and lead the J
C. Win the A-K, A and ruff a club

Exercise 4P41   Main

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3. N-S Vul	A 6 5 8 3 2 K Q 10 8 2 J 4			West Pass	North 3 NT	East All Pass	SOUTH 1 NT
Lead: J
	K Q 7
	A K 9
	4 3
3 NT South	A 10 5 3 2

In which hand do you win the first trick?

What is the best play?

A. Lead the 2 to dummy’s jack
B. Lead the 3 to dummy’s king
C. Lead the 3 to dummy’s ten

4. E-W Vul	K Q J 2 Q 8 5 4 3 J A K 3			West Pass All Pass	NORTH 1 3	East Pass Pass	South 1 4
Lead: 6
	A 7 6 5 4
	J
	Q 8 5 4 3
4 South	8 2

How will the missing spades usually break?

…the missing diamonds?

What is the best plan?

A. Try to establish the heart suit
B. Try to establish the diamond suit
C. Play for a crossruff

Exercise 4P41   Main

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5. Both Vul	Q 3 A 3 2 A K 6 5 2 6 3 2			West Pass All Pass	NORTH 1 3	East Pass Pass	South 2 6
Lead: Q			Trumps split 3-1
	A 2
	K Q J 10 9 8
	4 3
6 South	A K 5

How many trumps do you lead immediately?

What do you do next?

A. Win the A-K and ruff a diamond
B. Duck a diamond
C. Win the A then duck a diamond

6. None Vul	2 8 7 4 A 7 6 5 A K 7 6 2
Lead: J
	A K 7 5 4 3
	A 2
	K 9 4 3
6 South	4

Auction not shown to protect the overbidders

How will the missing spades usually break?

…the missing clubs?

You win A and A-K to shed a heart. Now what?

A. Win the A and ruff a spade
B. Win the A-K, A-K, ruff a spade
C. Ruff a club

Exercise 4P41   Main

Top   Set Up That Suit!

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek