Exercise 4S41   Main


A Kingdom for an Entry


  by Richard Pavlicek

As South, answer each question about the play.

1.
None Vul
S A 9 8 6 5
H 9 4
D 8 6 5 4
C Q 5
Lead: H Q Table
 
 
 
S K
H A K 7 6 5 3
D A 7 2
4 H SouthC A J 4

Which suit is blocked?

Will you Win the first trick or Duck? (W D)

What is the best play?

A. Cash the S K then lead the C 4 to the queen.
B. Cash the S K then lead the C J.
C. Overtake the S K with the ace and lead the C Q for a finesse.

2.
E-W Vul
S J 4
H Q J 10 9 8
D 9 6 3
C A 8 6
Lead: C 2 Table
 
 
 
S A Q 10
H A 7 6 5 4
D J 7 4 2
4 H SouthC K

Which opponent is longer in clubs?

Would a discard on the C A help you?

What is the best play?

A. Win the C A then lead the H Q and let it ride if not covered.
B. Win the C A then lead the S J and let it ride if not covered.
C. Win the C K and cash the H A.

Exercise 4S41   MainTop   A Kingdom for an Entry

3.
E-W Vul
S A 9 2
H K J 8 4 2
D 9 4 3
C 9 6
Lead: H 10 Table
 
 
 
S K Q J 10 8
H A Q
D Q 10 2
4 S SouthC K 8 7

Which suit is blocked?

Which heart honor do you win at trick one?

What is the best play?

A. Cash a second heart then draw trumps ending in dummy.
B. Win the S A then lead a club.
C. Cash the S K then lead the S 10 to the ace.

4.
E-W Vul
S J 10 9 7
H 7 3
D A 8 6 3 2
C 5 4
Lead: D Q TableEast plays D 4
 
 
 
S A K 8
H A K 8 5 2
D K 10 5
3 NT SouthC A 6

Lucky you! Which suit lead would really hurt you?

How many top tricks do you have?

What is the best play?

A. Win the D K then lead the 10 and duck if West plays the jack.
B. Win the D K then cash the S A-K and give up a spade.
C. Duck the D Q and unblock the 10.

Exercise 4S41   MainTop   A Kingdom for an Entry

5.
Both Vul
S K 10 4
H K 7 6
D A 6 5 4 2
C 8 5
Lead: D 3 TableEast plays D 9 (hearts are 3-1)
 
 
 
S
H A Q J 10 9 8
D K Q 8 7
6 H SouthC A 6 3

Which suit is blocked?

How many diamonds did East start with?

What is the best play?

A. Win one top trump then duck a club.
B. Draw three rounds of trumps then cash the top diamonds.
C. Draw three rounds of trumps then lead the S K and pitch a diamond.

6.
None Vul
S 9 7 6 5 3
H A K J 2
D A K Q
C 2
Lead: C 10 Table
 
 
 
S A K 2
H 10 9 8
D 8 6 2
6 NT SouthC A K Q 5

How many top tricks do you have?

Which suit offers the best chance to succeed?

What is the best play?

A. Win the C Q then lead the H 10 and finesse West for the queen.
B. Win the C Q and lead the S 2.
C. Win the C Q and the S A-K; if both follow, give up a spade trick.

Exercise 4S41   MainTop   A Kingdom for an Entry

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek