Unusual Bidding and Play

Fill in the missing North-South calls and answer each question.

Enter calls like this: P 1H 2C 3N 4S 6D

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

How many top tricks do you have? 

How many spades is West likely to hold? 

Will you cash the top diamonds right away to discard a heart? 

With no enemy bidding, what is the proper way to play the club suit? 

A. Lead up to the king B. Lead the 10 and let it ride C. Lead the jack and cry, “Help!”

Based on the bidding, who do you think has the A? 

How will you play clubs in this case? (A B C) 

Quit

Top Unusual Bidding and Play

2. E-W vul	A 2 7 4 Q 10 8 6 3 K 8 7 6		West North East South   1 2   Pass Pass   Pass Pass Pass
Lead: K
3 South	K 10 5 4 3 Q 8 5 5 A 5 3 2

Assuming a normal trump break, how many top tricks do you have? 

What is your primary plan in the play? 

A. Set up the spade suit B. Set up the diamond suit C. Ruff a heart

What is your secondary plan? (A B C) 

At trick two West leads the 10. Do you win the king or the ace? 

Which card do you lead next? 

Which card do you lead next? 

Quit

Top Unusual Bidding and Play

3. None vul	8 A Q 9 7 5 K J 9 8 3 6 4		West North East South     1 Pass   Pass Pass Pass
Lead: K
5 South	A 6 4 3 2 A Q 10 2 8 7 5 3

How many top tricks do you have? 

Based on the bidding, which opponent is more likely to hold the K? 

What is your plan in the play? 

A. Set up the heart suit B. Crossruff C. Claim early before anyone notices

Will you take the heart finesse? 

How many rounds of trump do you intend to lead? 

Which will you ruff first: a spade in dummy or a heart in your hand? 

Quit

Top Unusual Bidding and Play

© 1996 Richard Pavlicek