Exercise 6H47   Main


Defensive Countdown


  by Richard Pavlicek

As East, determine the shape (SHDC) of the West and South hands, then decide your next lead.

1.
None Vul
S Q J 5 4
H A K Q 7 3
D 7 4 2
C J
West

Pass
NORTH
1 H
3 NT
East
Pass
All Pass
South
2 NT
3 NT SouthTable S A 9
H J 9 8 5 2
D Q 8 3
C Q 10 3

Partner leads the S 2 to your nine and South’s king. South leads the S 3 (partner plays S 7) to the jack and your ace.

West’s shape:

South’s shape:

What do you lead next?

2.
None Vul
S A 9 4
H J 3 2
D K J 9 3
C K J 6
West

Pass
All Pass
NORTH
1 D
1 NT
East
Pass
Pass
South
1 S
4 S
4 S SouthTable S 10 2
H K 9 5
D Q 10 4 2
C Q 7 5 3

Partner leads the H 4, and the play goes two, nine, ace. South cashes the S K-Q (partner follows with the five then the six) and leads the D 5 (partner plays the eight) to the jack and your queen.

West’s shape:

South’s shape:

What do you lead next?

Exercise 6H47   MainTop   Defensive Countdown

3.
N-S Vul
S 9 7 2
H A Q 9
D A 9 8
C K Q 10 7
West

Pass
North

4 H
EAST
Pass
All Pass
South
2 H
4 H SouthTable S K 10 5
H 6 3
D Q 10 6 3
C A J 9 5

Partner leads the S 3, and your king loses to the ace. South leads the C 4 (partner plays the six) to the queen and your ace.

West’s shape:

South’s shape:

What do you lead next?

4.
E-W Vul
S A 6 3 2
H 10 6 5
D K 10
C A K J 9
West

Pass
NORTH
1 NT
4 S
East
Pass
All Pass
South
3 S
4 S SouthTable S K J
H K 8 4 3
D A 8 7 3
C 6 5 4

Partner leads the D Q, covered by the king and your ace. You return a diamond which South ruffs. South leads the S 10 to the ace, then a spade to your king (partner follows up-the-line).

West’s shape:

South’s shape:

What do you lead next?

Exercise 6H47   MainTop   Defensive Countdown

5.
E-W Vul
S A 5 2
H Q 8 7 6 2
D 10 2
C A 8 3
West

Pass
Pass
All Pass
North

1 H
2 C
East

Pass
Pass
SOUTH
1 D
1 S
3 NT
3 NT SouthTable S 9 6
H A J 9 3
D J 7 6 3
C K 9 7

Partner leads the C J, dummy plays low, and you win the king as South follows with the two.

West’s shape:

South’s shape:

What do you lead next?

6.
None Vul
S A K 2
H A J 10 4
D J 9 8 7 3
C J
West

Pass
North

4 S
EAST
1 D
All Pass
South
2 S
4 S SouthTable S 6
H K 8 3
D A Q 10 6 4
C A K 4 3

Partner leads the D 5. You win and return the D 6, and South’s king is ruffed with the S 4. Partner leads the H 5, won by the ace (South plays the nine); then the C J is led to your king (partner plays the eight).

West’s shape:

South’s shape:

What do you lead next?

Exercise 6H47   MainTop   Defensive Countdown

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek