Quiz 7H62   Main


Slick Tricks for Nine Tricks


  by Richard Pavlicek

Can you find the slick plays to guarantee these 3 NT contracts?
No fair peeking at the answers!

IMPs
None Vul
S 5 4 3 2
H J 2
D J 10 9 8 7
C J 5
West

Pass
All Pass
North

2 D
East

Pass
SOUTH
2 C
3 NT
Lead: S 10TableEast plays S 8



3 NT South
S A K
H K Q 5
D A K Q
C A Q 4 3 2

After winning the S K and unblocking the high diamonds, the problem is that you have no sure entry to dummy. Nonetheless, you can ensure at least nine tricks with the right sequence of plays.

Next lead the H K which must be allowed to win (else you have 10 tricks). Follow this with the queen of clubs — if it is captured, you have an entry to dummy with the C J and nine tricks. Finally, if the C Q holds, switch back to a low heart and you must score a total of two spades, two hearts, three diamonds and two clubs.

Quiz 7H62   MainTop   Slick Tricks for Nine Tricks

IMPs
None Vul
S 5 4 3 2
H J 3
D 4 3
C A K Q 3 2
West

Pass
Pass
North

2 C
3 NT
East

Pass
All Pass
SOUTH
1 NT
2 D
Lead: S 7TableEast wins S A
returns S 10



3 NT South
S K Q
H A K 2
D A J 10 2
C 8 7 6 5
West has a singleton club

At first this looks easy as you see nine tricks: one spade, two hearts, one diamond and five clubs. Well, not quite. The club suit is blocked. After you cash the C A-K-Q, the club in your hand blocks you from winning dummy’s fifth club.

The solution requires a jettison play. After winning the S K, cash two clubs (to discover the 3-1 division). Now comes the key play: Lead a spade and throw off a club. The enemy can win at most four spade tricks (counting the ace) and when you regain the lead, the club suit will run freely.

Quiz 7H62   MainTop   Slick Tricks for Nine Tricks

IMPs
None Vul
S 6 5
H J 10 9
D K J 10 9 8 7
C K Q
West

Pass
Pass
All Pass
North

1 D
3 D
East

Pass
Pass
SOUTH
1 C
2 S
3 NT
Lead: H 3TableEast plays H 4



3 NT South
S A K 4 2
H A K
D A 2
C 9 7 6 4 2
D Q does not fall doubleton

It is easy to foresee your demise: The diamond finesse will lose and East will return a heart to remove your last stopper; then when you lead a club to reach dummy, West will run the rest of his heart suit.

But there is a neat solution. Win the D A and lead a diamond to the king (do not finesse). Lead another diamond to force out the queen and discard your top heart. Take that! If hearts are continued, you will gain an entry to dummy in that suit (note the H J-10 is still a stopper). Otherwise, you will have time to reach dummy in clubs.

Quiz 7H62   MainTop   Slick Tricks for Nine Tricks

© 1996 Richard Pavlicek