Twelve Chances

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

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

How must diamonds split to gain a diamond trick? 

How must clubs split to gain a club trick? 

Which is more likely? 

Which will you try first? 

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

In which suit may you gain a trick by finessing? 

In which suit may you gain a trick if an honor drops? 

Which is more likely? 

Which will you try first? 

Quit

Top Twelve Chances

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

In which suit may you gain a trick if the king is West? 

In which suit may you gain a trick if the king is East? 

Which is more likely? 

Which will you try first? 

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

How must spades split to gain a spade trick? 

How must diamonds split to gain a diamond trick? 

Which is more likely? 

Which will you try first? 

Quit

Top Twelve Chances

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

In which suit may you gain a trick by finessing? 

In which suit may you gain a trick by an even split? 

Which is more likely? 

Which will you try first? 

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

Which suit needs one card onside to gain a trick? 

Which suit needs two cards onside to gain a trick? 

Which is more likely? 

Which will you try first? 

Quit

Top Twelve Chances

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek