Exercise 6H53 Main

Out for the Count!

by Richard Pavlicek

As East, answer each question about the defense on each deal.

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

Partner leads the 4 to your ace, as South follows with the 10.

How many clubs did South begin with?

Who has the K?

Which card do you lead?

2. A 4 West North East South
Both vul A J 8 1 Pass 3
K Q J 9 4 Pass 4 Pass Pass
K 10 3 Pass
Table 9 6 2
K 7 6 2
A 8 5
4 South A J 8

Partner leads the 4, won by ace (South plays the 10). The K is led to your ace, as South plays the 10, and partner the two.

How many diamonds did South begin with?

How many hearts?

Which card do you lead?

Quit
Top Out for the Count!

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

Partner leads the 2, and the play goes 10, jack, ace. South leads the 10 (partner plays the five) and runs it to your jack.

How many clubs did South begin with?

How many spades?

Which card do you lead?

4. Q J 10 6 5 West North East South
E-W vul J 10 5 4 1
A J 10 Pass 3 Pass 4
3 Pass Pass Pass
Table 9 7 4
A 3
K 8 6
4 South J 7 6 5 4

Partner leads the K, won by South’s ace. South leads the 6 (partner plays the two) to the jack and your ace.

Is it plausible for partner to have the K?

… the Q?

Which card do you lead?

Quit
Top Out for the Count!

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

Partner leads the 4, dummy plays low, and your jack wins as South follows with the nine.

How many spades did South begin with?

Who has the K?

Which card do you lead?

6. 2 West North East South
N-S vul A 3 2 1 Pass 1
A K J 9 3 2 Pass 4 5
6 5 4 3 Pass 6 Pass Pass
Table A 10 8 3 Pass
7 5
Q 10 8 5
6 South Q J 8

Partner leads the 7 to your ace, as South follows with the five.

How many spades did South begin with?

Who has the K?

Which card do you lead?

Quit
Top Out for the Count!