Bad Trump Breaks

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

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

1. None vul	J 7 6 4 3 Q K 9 5 K 9 8 4		West North East South     2 1 3   Pass Dbl Pass   Pass Pass   1. Michaels (both majors)
Lead: J		East plays K
5 × South	10 A 5 4 A 7 3 A 7 6 5 3 2

How many trumps do you think East has? 

Assuming the above, how many tricks can you easily win? 

What is your plan: Coup, Elopement or Throw-in? 

Which card do you lead at trick two? 

Assume East wins and leads the Q. Do you win the ace or king? 

Which suit do you lead next? 

Which suit will you lead when you are in dummy? 

If East ruffs at any time, what will you discard? 

Quit

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2. N-S vul	A K 5 7 4 A Q 4 3 9 8 5 4		West North East South     Pass Dbl1 Pass   Pass Pass   1. takeout
Lead: 8
4 × South	Q 4 3 A K 10 9 6 3 2 9 6 6

Which opponent do you think has trump length? 

Assuming the worst trump break, how many tricks can you easily win? 

What is your plan: Coup, Elopement or Throw-in? 

Which diamond do you play from dummy at trick one? 

Assume East wins and leads the J. Which spade honor do you win? 

On the A East shows out. What do you lead next? 

If the play goes as expected what will be your last three hearts in hand? 

Which heart do you lead? 

Quit

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3. None vul	A Q 2 K Q 7 3 A Q J 10 9 8		West North East South   3   Pass Pass   Dbl Pass Pass   Pass
Lead: K		East wins A and leads Q
6 South	K J 6 A 10 9 8 6 8 6 4 2 K

Did East defend well with his early plays? 

What is your plan: Coup, Elopement or Throw-in? 

If West followed to second diamond, how many red cards did East start with? 

Which card do you lead at trick five? 

Which card do you lead next? 

East discards a spade. Which card do you play from your hand? 

Which suit do you lead next? 

Which suit do you lead next? 

Quit

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© 1999 Richard Pavlicek