Exercise 4Q41   Main


Nine Chances


  by Richard Pavlicek

Fill in the missing North-South bids and answer each question.

1. S A 10 8WestNORTHEastSouth
None VulH K 7 6
D A K JPass
C Q 7 5 2
 TablePassPass
Lead: S 2 
 PassAll Pass
 
S Q J 9 7 3
H 9 8 5 2
D 2
4 S SouthC A K 3

Assuming a trump loser, how many sure tricks?

What do you need to make an extra trick in hearts?

…in diamonds?

…in clubs?

Which of your chances is the least likely?

Will you finesse the spade at trick one?

Which of your chances will you try first?

…which next?

…which last?

Exercise 4Q41   MainTop   Nine Chances

2. S A 6 3WestNorthEastSOUTH
E-W VulH K 8 7
D Q 4 3
C K 6 5 4
 TablePassPass
Lead: H 2 
 PassPass
 
S Q 7 5
H A Q 10 9 6 3
D A 5
4 H SouthC Q 2

Counting one club trick, how many sure tricks?

What do you need to make an extra trick in spades?

…in diamonds?

…in clubs if West has four or more clubs?

Which of your chances is the least likely?

In clubs, which card will you lead first?

Which of your chances will you try first?

…which next?

…which last?

Exercise 4Q41   MainTop   Nine Chances

3. S K 7 6WestNORTHEastSouth
Both VulH A K J 5
D Q 5 4 3Pass
C A Q
 TablePassPass
Lead: D J 
 PassPass
 
S A 5 3 2
H Q 8 7 6 3 2
D A
6 H SouthC 6 4

Counting one spade ruff, how many sure tricks?

What do you need to make an extra trick in spades?

…in diamonds if West has five or more diamonds?

…in clubs?

Which of your chances is the least likely?

In spades, will you cash both top honors first?

Which of your chances will you try first?

…which next?

…which last?

Exercise 4Q41   MainTop   Nine Chances

© 1995 Richard Pavlicek