Exercise 4S35   Main

Communication Hang-ups

by Richard Pavlicek

As South, decide how you would play each contract and answer the questions.

1. None Vul	K 10 9 8 7 4 3 A J 10 5 3 2			West Pass Pass Pass	North 1 2 3 NT	East Pass Pass All Pass	SOUTH 1 2 2 NT
Lead: 5			East plays 3
	Q
	A K 7 5 2
	Q 9 4
3 NT South	A J 9 4

Assuming the diamond finesse works, how many top tricks do you have?

Which diamonds do you play at trick one?

What is your lead and play at trick two?

2. None Vul	A K Q 4 3 K 4 3 A 9 6 5 4			West Pass Pass All Pass	NORTH 1 2 3	East Pass Pass Pass	South 1 NT 2 3 NT
Lead: 5
	5 2
	A 9 4 2
	Q 9 8 6 2
3 NT South	K 2

How many top tricks do you have?

Which two suits offer the best chance?

What is your lead and play at trick two?

Exercise 4S35   Main

Top   Communication Hang-ups

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

Which spades do you play at trick one?

What is your lead and play at trick two?

If West wins and shifts to a club, will you win the Ace or King?

4. None Vul	A 10 2 Q 4 3 Q 5 2 A J 10 4			West Pass Pass All Pass	NORTH 1 1 NT 2	East Pass Pass Pass	South 1 2 1 4
Lead: J			North covers; East plays K
	K Q 9 8 7			1. new minor forcing
	A 5
	8 4 3
4 South	Q 9 2

Do you win the first heart lead?

What is your first lead and play in spades?

What is your first lead and play in clubs?

Exercise 4S35   Main

Top   Communication Hang-ups

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

How are the enemy clubs most likely to divide?

In that event, how many club tricks can you win with routine play?

What do you play on the second spade lead?

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

Which diamond do you play from dummy?

It wins. What are your plays at trick two?

Which card do you lead at trick three?

Exercise 4S35   Main

Top   Communication Hang-ups

© 2000 Richard Pavlicek