Key Plays at Notrump

As South, answer each question about the play.

1.	A 9 3
Both vul	Q 3
	10 4 3 2
	A 7 5 3
Lead: 10
	K 7 6 4
	A K 2
	Q J
3 NT South	K 6 4 2

How many top tricks? 

Which two suits do you plan to establish? 

What is the key play? 
 A. Duck a club first
 B. Duck a spade first
 C. Lead a diamond first

2.	Q 8 2
None vul	10 7
	A 8 7 6 3
	K 5 4
Lead: 4
	A K 3
	A 6 5
	K 2
3 NT South	Q 10 9 8 3

How many top tricks? 

On which round do you win the A? (1 2 3) 

What is the key play? 
 A. Lead the 10 and let it ride
 B. Lead the 3 to the king then finesse the 10
 C. Win the K and duck a diamond

Quit

Top   Key Plays at Notrump

3.	7 6 3
Both vul	K 9 5
	J 9 5
	A K 9 8
Lead: 3
	K 5
	A 8 2
	A K Q 2
3 NT South	6 5 4 2

How many top tricks? 

Which defender is more dangerous? 

What is the key play? 
 A. Lead the 2 and finesse the eight
 B. Try to duck a club to West
 C. Lead a spade to your king

4.	K Q J 2
E-W vul	7 4
	8 7 6 2
	A K 2
Lead: J
	A 6
	A K 6 2
	A K 3
6 NT South	Q 9 7 3

How many top tricks? 

Do you Win the first trick or Duck? (W D) 

What is the key play? 
 A. Lead the 3
 B. Cash the A-K; if both defenders follow up-the-line, lead the 3
 C. Run the spades and clubs

Quit

Top   Key Plays at Notrump

5.	6 5
N-S vul	9 2
	A K J 10 9
	7 5 4 2
Lead: 5
	K 10 9 2
	A K
	Q 5 3
3 NT South	A Q 6 3

How many top tricks? 

Should you run the diamond suit first? 

What is the key play? 
 A. Take the club finesse
 B. Lead the 5 and finesse the nine
 C. Lead the 5 to the king

6.	K J 10
E-W vul	K 8
	A K J 5
	A 7 5 4
Lead: 2
	9 6 5
	J 7 4
	8 4 2
3 NT South	K Q J 2

How many top tricks? 

Which heart do you play from dummy? 

What is the key play? 
 A. Lead the 5 to the jack
 B. Lead the 5 to the king then take the diamond finesse
 C. Lead the 2 and finesse the jack

Quit

Top   Key Plays at Notrump

© 1990 Richard Pavlicek