Quiz 7J34 Main

Frosty, the Notrump

by Richard Pavlicek

Frosty, the Notrump, was a jolly, happy soul. Brrr! Each of these 3 NT contracts is ice cold.
That is, if you can find the correct play. Are you up to the task?

Problem 1

Total points	6 2		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	6 2			1	Pass	1
	A Q 10 9 2		Pass	2	Pass	3 NT
	A K 10 5		Pass	Pass	Pass

Lead: 8		East plays 3
Lead: 8		East plays 3

	A K Q 5
	Q 10 5 4
	K 8
3 NT South	7 6 2

Your play? A. Win A, K, A-Q
B. Win A, K, finesse 10
C. Win A, K, run 10
D. Win A, K, lead 2 to eight

Problem 2

Total points	5		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	A 6 5 4					2 NT
	K 7 4 3		Pass	3	Pass	3
	K 6 4 3		Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
			Pass
Lead: Q		East pitches 2
Lead: Q		East pitches 2

	A K J 4
	K 3 2
	A J 5
3 NT South	A J 2

Your play? A. Duck, win A, finesse J
B. Duck, win A, finesse J
C. Duck, win K, K, A
D. Duck, win K, K, finesse J

Problem 3

Total points	9 8 2		`West`	`North`	`East`	`South`
None vul	K Q			1	Pass	2
	A K 10 9 8 4 3		Pass	2	Pass	3 NT
	3		Pass	Pass	Pass

Lead: 5		East plays Q
Lead: 5		East plays Q

	A K 10
	6 5 4 2
	Q
3 NT South	A K 8 7 5

Your play? A. Win A, Q, lead 2
B. Win A, K, A (pitch spade)
C. Win A, K, A (pitch heart)
D. Duck the first trick

Quit
Explanations
Top Frosty, the Notrump

Problem 1

With eight top tricks, you need only to establish one more in diamonds. The danger is that, if you lose a diamond trick, the opponents might be able to set you by cashing four hearts; but this is impossible if you lose the trick to West.

Win the A, cross to dummy with a club, and lead a low diamond to the eight. This insures your contract against any layout, and nets an overtrick as the cards lie. Note that if West could win the J and return a club to remove dummy’s side entry, the diamond suit would still run by leading the ace.

West held: 8-7-4 A-J-9-7 7-6 J-9-8-4

Problem 2

Again you have eight top tricks, and any of three finesses will give you nine; plus there’s a chance to set up the fourth club or diamond. Which to try? None of the above. The only surefire play is a throw-in against West.

Duck the first heart (optional), then win the K, K (optional) and A. Exit with dummy’s last heart to let West run his entire suit (you will lose four tricks). Your last six cards will be K-7-4 K-6-4 opposite A-J A-J A-J, and any lead by West gives you a free finesse for your ninth trick.

West held: Q-8-7 Q-J-10-9-8-7 Q-2 Q-5

Problem 3

You have seven top tricks and can establish a heart for eight. If the diamonds run that makes 12. Quit dreaming! Would I really give you a 3-2 diamond break? There’s only one way to ensure nine tricks, and it requires some fancy footwork.

Win the K, then lead the Q and overtake it with the king. Cash the A to pitch your 10, then lead the 10 and pitch your A! Eventually you will reach dummy in hearts. Note that if you didn’t jettison your top spades, a spade return by East would set up West’s suit before you could reach dummy.

West held: J-7-6-5-4 A-9-8-7 2 Q-4-2

Quiz 7J34 Main Top Frosty, the Notrump