How’s Your Timing?

As South, answer each question. Assume you are playing matchpoint duplicate bridge.

1.	K 6 2
Both vul	A 7 5 4 3
	6 2
	7 6 5
Lead: 3
	A Q 4
	6 2
	J 7 5 4 3
1 NT South	A K 8

No enemy bidding

What is your chance (%) to win three heart tricks? 

…two diamond tricks? 

What is the best play? 

A. Lead a diamond B. Play the A and another heart C. Duck a heart

2.	3 2			West	North	East	South
None vul	8 5 4						1
	9 8 7 4 2			Dbl	Pass	2	2
	A 4 2			Pass	Pass	Pass
Lead: K
	A K 8 7 6 5
	A 7
	3
2 South	K Q 7 6

Do you win the first trick? 

After winning the A, which suit do you lead? 

What will you do later? 

A. Duck the first round of trumps B. Win K-A then lead the 4 C. Win K-A then lead another spade

Quit

Top How’s Your Timing?

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

No enemy bidding

Who has the K? 

Are your chances Good, Fair or Poor? (G F P) 

What is the best play? 

A. Win the J and lead the J B. Win the J and run the clubs C. Win Q, J then lead the 2

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

Which suit offers the only chance for a 10th trick? 

Can it work legitimately? 

What is the best play? 

A. Win the A and duck a heart B. Win the A and lead a club C. Duck the opening lead

Quit

Top How’s Your Timing?

5.	9 7
None vul	A 2
	Q J 8 5 3 2
	8 6 4
Lead: K		West continues with A-10
	A Q J 10 8
	K 9 6 4 3
	4
2 South	Q J

No enemy bidding

How will the missing hearts usually divide? 

…the missing spades? 

What is the best play? 

A. Discard the 4 B. Ruff and lead the 4 to the jack C. Ruff, play A-K and ruff a heart

6.	10 8 7 3			West	North	East	South
N-S vul	5 4 3					1	2
	K 4			2	Pass	Pass	3
	8 6 4 2			Dbl	3	Pass	Pass
				Pass
Lead: 2		East wins A and leads 5
	J
	A 9 8 7 6 2
	A 10 6 3
3 South	A 3

Assuming normal defense, who has the Q? 

Do you win the first club? 

What is the best play? 

A. Duck the first round of trumps B. Win K-A and ruff a diamond C. Win A, K-A and ruff a diamond

Quit

Top How’s Your Timing?

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek