Quiz 7H35 Main

Slams with Endplays

by Richard Pavlicek

As South, you are declarer in 6 on each deal. Can you find the winning play?
In each case assume the missing trumps divide 2-1.

Problem 1

IMPs	8 7 6 4	`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	A 5				1
	A 8 3 2	Pass	3	Pass	4
	A 7 3	Pass	4	Pass	4 NT
		Pass	5	Pass	6
Lead: Q		All Pass
Lead: Q

	A K Q J 10 9
	9 6
	K Q 9 4
6 South	2	You win A, ruff 3 and draw trumps.

What next? A. Win A, ruff 7, win K
B. Win A, ruff 7, lead 9
C. Win A, ruff 7
D. Win K, A, ruff 7

Problem 2

IMPs	K J 10	`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	A K 10 9		2 NT	Pass	4
	A 4	Pass	4 NT	Pass	6
	A Q 7 5	Pass	Pass	Pass

Lead: 8
Lead: 8

	A Q 9 7 6 5 4
	4 3
	2
6 South	6 4 3	You win A, K and A.

What next? A. Win K, ruff 10
B. Win A, ruff 4, finesse 9
C. Win A, ruff 4, finesse Q
D. Win A, ruff 4, duck club

Problem 3

IMPs	Q 10 8 6 4		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	A 10 7 4					1 NT
	K 3		Pass	2	Pass	2
	A Q		Pass	4	Pass	4
			Pass	6	All Pass
Lead: J		East plays 6
Lead: J		East plays 6

	A J 9 7 5
	K 9 3
	A 7
6 South	K J 6		East plays 2 on first spade lead.

Your play? A. Win A, cash A
B. Win A, A, K-J
C. Win K, run Q
D. Win K, Q to ace

Quit
Explanations
Top Slams with Endplays

Problem 1

The only problem on this deal is a bad diamond break, and a neat endplay will ensure your success. Win the A and ruff a club; draw the enemy trumps; cross to dummy with a heart (not a diamond!), and ruff the last club.

The key play now is to cash one top diamond in your hand, then exit with a heart. Whoever wins must lead a diamond (else give you a ruff and discard), and you simply play second hand low to guarantee picking up the diamonds. No lie of the cards can defeat you.

Problem 2

The problem here is not to rely on the club finesse, and again you can ensure your contract with the proper technique. Win the K and draw trumps in two rounds. Next cash the A and ruff a diamond to eliminate that suit.

West’s opening lead places East with the Q-J. You are now ready for an endplay: Lead a heart and finesse the nine which East must win — and you can claim! Whether East returns a heart, a diamond or a club, this will give you an extra trick and the contract.

Problem 3

Normally, with 10 cards missing the king, the proper play is to take the finesse. In this case, however, you should refuse the 50-percent finesse in favor of an endplay that offers a greater chance. Win the K and lead the Q (in case East covers) but win the ace regardless.

Assuming the K does not drop, cash the A and win all the clubs (overtaking the Q) before exiting with a trump. Whoever wins must lead a heart — then you will make your contract whenever the Q-J are in different hands.

Quiz 7H35 Main Top Slams with Endplays