Eighteen Chances

As South, you should find three distinct chances to make each of the six contracts. What are they, which will you try first, and which will you try next?

1.	A Q 5 4 3
None vul	J 7 2
	2
	Q 5 4 3
Lead: 3
	6
	A K 4
	K 10 8 5
3 NT South	A K J 8 6

In which suit may you gain a trick with a king? 

In which suit may you gain a trick with a queen? 

…with a jack? 

Which will you try first? 

Which will you try next? 

2.	A 4
None vul	A 7 5 3 2
	5 4
	6 5 3 2
Lead: 7
	K J 3 2
	K 4
	A Q 2
3 NT South	A K 7 4

In which suit may you gain a trick by finessing? 

What suit division allows you to gain a heart trick? 

…to gain a club trick? 

Which will you try first? 

Which will you try next? 

Quit

Top Eighteen Chances

3.	K 6 4
None vul	A 3 2
	A K 2
	Q 4 3 2
Lead: J
	Q J 10 9 8 7
	J 10 9
	J 5 3
4 South	A

In which suit may you gain a trick by finessing? 

In which suit may you gain a trick by establishment? 

…by an honor dropping? 

Which will you try first? 

Which will you try next? 

4.	7 5 2
None vul	A Q 5 4
	Q 8 4
	5 4 3
Lead: Q
	A K 8 6 4 3
	3 2
	A 3
4 South	A K 7

What suit division allows you to gain a spade trick? 

What card in West allows you to gain a heart trick? 

…to gain a diamond trick? 

Which will you try first? 

Which will you try next? 

Quit

Top Eighteen Chances

5.	7 6 5 4
None vul	A J 10 9
	3
	A K 3 2
Lead: Q
	A K 3
	K Q 2
	A K J 4
6 NT South	Q 5 4

In which suit may you gain a trick by finessing? 

What suit division allows you to gain a spade trick? 

…to gain a club trick? 

Which will you try first? 

Which will you try next? 

6.	2
None vul	A 8 6 4 2
	A K Q 4
	Q J 10
Lead: 9
	A K Q J 10 7 6
	5
	7 6 3
7 South	A 2

In which suit may you gain a trick by finessing? 

What suit division allows you to gain a heart trick? 

…to gain a diamond trick? 

Which will you try first? 

Which will you try next? 

Quit

Top Eighteen Chances

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek