Exercise 4B81 Main

Safety Plays

by Richard Pavlicek

As declarer in 3 NT, how would you play each suit holding for the number of tricks stated?
Assume you are willing to lose one trick, perhaps unnecessarily, to avoid losing two.

1. 3 NT A 10 5 4
Table

K 9 8 3 2

To guarantee four tricks
A. Cash the ace
B. Cash the king
C. Finesse the 10

2. 3 NT K 4 3 2
Table

A J 9 8 7

To guarantee four tricks
A. Cash the ace
B. Cash the king
C. Finesse the jack

3. 3 NT K J 8 3
Table

Q 9 5 4 2

To guarantee four tricks
A. Lead to the king
B. Lead to the queen
C. Finesse the eight

4. 3 NT J 3 2
Table

A K 9 5 4

Optimal for four tricks
A. Cash the ace then the king
B. Cash the ace then lead to the jack
C. Cash the ace then finesse the nine

Quit
Top Safety Plays

5. 3 NT K 5 4 3
Table

Q J 8 7 6

Optimal for four tricks
A. Lead to the king
B. Lead to the queen
C. Finesse the eight

6. 3 NT 5 4 3 2
Table

A K 9 8 7

Optimal for four tricks
A. Cash the ace then the king
B. Cash the ace then finesse the nine
C. Finesse the nine

7. 3 NT 5 4 3 2
Table

A Q 10 9 8

Optimal for four tricks
A. Cash the ace then lead to the queen
B. Finesse the queen then cash the ace
C. Finesse the 10 then the queen

8. 3 NT Q J 5 4
Table

A 9 6 3 2

To guarantee four tricks
A. Cash the ace then lead to the queen
B. Lead to the queen
C. Run the queen

Quit
Top Safety Plays

9. 3 NT A K 3 2
Table

J 9 8 7

To guarantee three tricks
A. Cash the ace then run the jack
B. Cash the ace then run the nine
C. Run the nine

10. 3 NT K J 3 2
Table

A 9 5 4

To guarantee three tricks
A. Cash the ace then the king
B. Cash the ace then finesse the jack
C. Cash the king then finesse the nine

11. 3 NT J 10 2
Table

A K 8 4 3

To guarantee four tricks
A. Cash the ace then run the jack
B. Lead to the jack
C. Run the jack

12. 3 NT A 2
Table

K Q 10 4 3

Optimal for four tricks
A. Cash the ace then the king
B. Cash the ace then finesse the 10
C. Run the 10

Quit
Top Safety Plays