A Kingdom for an Entry

As South, answer each question about the play.

1.	A 9 8 6 5
None vul	9 4
	8 6 5 4
	Q 5
Lead: Q
	K
	A K 7 6 5 3
	A 7 2
4 South	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 K then lead the 4 to the queen. B. Cash the K then lead the J. C. Overtake the K with the ace and lead the Q for a finesse.

2.	J 4
E-W vul	Q J 10 9 8
	9 6 3
	A 8 6
Lead: 2
	A Q 10
	A 7 6 5 4
	J 7 4 2
4 South	K

Which opponent is longer in clubs? 

Would a discard on the A help you? 

What is the best play? 

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

Quit

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3.	A 9 2
E-W vul	K J 8 4 2
	9 4 3
	9 6
Lead: 10
	K Q J 10 8
	A Q
	Q 10 2
4 South	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 A then lead a club. C. Cash the K then lead the 10 to the ace.

4.	J 10 9 7
E-W vul	7 3
	A 8 6 3 2
	5 4
Lead: Q		East plays 4
	A K 8
	A K 8 5 2
	K 10 5
3 NT South	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 K then lead the 10 and duck if West plays the jack. B. Win the K then cash the A-K and give up a spade. C. Duck the Q and unblock the 10.

Quit

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5.	K 10 4
Both vul	K 7 6
	A 6 5 4 2
	8 5
Lead: 3		East plays 9 (hearts are 3-1)
	—
	A Q J 10 9 8
	K Q 8 7
6 South	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 K and pitch a diamond.

6.	9 7 6 5 3
None vul	A K J 2
	A K Q
	2
Lead: 10
	A K 2
	10 9 8
	8 6 2
6 NT South	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 Q then lead the 10 and finesse West for the queen. B. Win the Q and lead the 2. C. Win the Q and the A-K; if both follow, give up a spade trick.

Quit

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© 1994 Richard Pavlicek