Exercise 6B41 Main


Matchpoint Madness


 by Richard Pavlicek

As South, assume your side is nonvulnerable at matchpoint duplicate bridge.

1. S 9 5
None vulH A Q J 10 9 2
D 8 5
C 6 4 3
Table 
Lead: S 4East plays S Q 
 
 
S A 8 6
H K 3
D A 7 2
3 NT SouthC A Q J 10 2

What is the normal contract? 

What is the normal score if the club finesse loses? 

On which round do you win the S A? (1 2 3) 

What is your best play? 
A. Cash your top tricks
B. Lead H 3 to queen then finesse clubs
C. Run the hearts then finesse clubs

2. S A K J 8 4 2
None vulH 3
D A 4 3
C K J 7
Table 
Lead: H 4East plays H Q 
 
 
S 3
H K 10 7
D K Q 5 2
3 NT SouthC Q 9 6 4 3

What is the normal contract? 

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

What is your likely score if you establish clubs? 

What is your best play? 
A. Cash the top spades
B. Lead the S 3 and finesse the jack
C. Lead a club to the king

 Quit

Top Matchpoint Madness

3. S A K 2
None vulH 10 8 4 2
D 9 5 3
C K 6 2
Table 
Lead: S JEast plays S 4 
 
 
S Q 7 3
H K
D A Q 4 2
3 NT SouthC A Q J 10 9

What is the normal contract? 

What is its normal score if played safely? 

What are your spade plays at trick one?  

What is your best play? 
A. Cash your top tricks
B. Lead the H 2 to the king
C. Lead the D 3 and finesse the queen

4. S K 10 7 3
None vulH K 4
D A K 7 2
C J 7 6
Table 
Lead: D 4 
 
 
S Q J 9 4
H A 9 6 5 3 2
D J
4 H SouthC K Q

What is the normal contract? 

What would be its score with normal suit breaks? 

Is your contract Better or Worse? (B W) 

What is your best play? 
A. Duck the opening lead
B. Win the D K and draw trumps
C. Win the D K and lead a spade

 Quit

Top Matchpoint Madness

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

What is the normal contract? 

What is its normal score if played safely? 

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

What is your best play? 
A. Take your sure tricks
B. Lead all the trumps; finesse H Q
C. Lead all trumps; D A; finesse H Q

6. S A Q 10
N-S vulH J 10 3
D K Q J
C K 7 6 2
Table 
Lead: D 5 
 
 
S K 7 2
H K Q 8
D A 9
6 C SouthC A J 8 5 3

What is the normal contract? 

What is its normal score if the club suit runs? 

With nine cards missing the queen, is a finesse normal? 

What is your best play? 
A. Cash the C K then the C A
B. Cash the C K then finesse the jack
C. Cash the C A then lead the jack

 Quit

Top Matchpoint Madness

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek