Hands of Count Alu-Card

Warning: If you count these hands after dark, be sure to bring along a wooden stake!
Determine the most likely pattern of West’s hand, then decide your play.

1.	A 8 6
None vul	10 3
	10 5 3 2
	A Q 10 4
Lead: 2		East plays J
	K 3
	J 5 4 2
	A K Q 4
3 NT South	K 3 2

You win the K and cash two diamonds, West discarding a heart.

What is West’s shape? 

Your play in clubs? 

A. Win the queen, king, ace B. Win the queen, king, finesse the ten C. Win the queen then lead the ten

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

You draw trumps (East held three). You cash your top clubs and West shows out on the third round.

What is West’s shape? 

Your play in diamonds? 

A. Win the ace then finesse the ten B. Win the king then finesse the jack C. Win the ace and king

Quit

Top Hands of Count Alu-Card

3.	5 3
None vul	A Q 3
	K J 10 9
	Q 6 5 4
Lead: 2		East plays 10
	A K
	K J 4 2
	A Q 8 2
6 NT South	K 7 2

All follow to three hearts, and West shows out on the third diamond.

What is West’s shape? 

Your play in clubs? 

A. Lead the four to the king B. Lead the two to the queen C. Lead the king

4.	K Q 9 4			West	North	East	South
Both vul	A 3			2	Dbl	4	4
	A 4 3 2			Pass	Pass	Pass
	Q J 10
Lead: 4		East wins K
	A J 10 8
	2
	K J 10 8
4 South	7 6 3 2

East wins both top clubs then gives West a ruff; West leads a heart. All follow to two rounds of trumps.

What is West’s shape? 

Your play in diamonds? 

A. Win the ace then finesse the jack B. Win the king then run the jack C. Win the ace and king

Quit

Top Hands of Count Alu-Card

5.	5 4
None vul	A 8 7 2
	J 10 4
	J 5 4 2
Lead: 5		East wins A
	A Q 9 8 7
	K 4
	K 2
3 NT South	A K Q 10

East returns the 9 (West plays 3). East discards a heart on the third club.

What is West’s shape? 

What is your plan? 

A. Finesse the Q B. Finesse the 9 C. Win the K-A then lead a diamond

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

West shifts to the 2; seven, nine, ace. West shows out on the second round of trumps.

What is West’s shape? 

What is your plan? 

A. Lead a diamond and duck it B. Win the A-K then lead a club C. Win the A and duck a club

Quit

Top Hands of Count Alu-Card

© 1996 Richard Pavlicek