Exercise 4F29   Main


Controlling the Ruffs


  by Richard Pavlicek

As declarer with spades trump, your only concern is the major suits shown.
Decide your goal (tricks to win) and choose your play (A, B or C).

1. S A 3 2
H 3 2
D —
C —
Table 
North leads 
 
 
S 8 7 6 5 4
H A 5 4
D —
S SouthC —

Out of 8 tricks, what is your goal to win? 

How would you play? 
 A. Duck a heart then duck a spade
 B. Duck a spade then duck a heart
 C. Win S A then duck a heart

2. S 4 3 2
H A 3 2
D —
C —
Table 
North leads 
 
 
S A K J 6 5
H K Q 5 4
D —
S SouthC —

Out of 9 tricks, what is your usual goal to win? 

How would you play? 
 A. Win S A; H A; then finesse S J
 B. Win S A then cash hearts
 C. Win S A-K then cash hearts

3. S 5 4 3 2
H 3 2
D —
C —
Table 
Lead: H J 
 
 
S A 8 7 6
H A K 5 4
D —
S SouthC —

Out of 8 tricks, what is your goal to win? 

You win H A; then what? 
 A. Win H K then ruff a heart
 B. Win S A; H K; then ruff a heart
 C. Lead S 6

  Quit

Top   Controlling the Ruffs

4. S 5 4 3 2
H 4 3 2
D —
C —
Table 
Lead: H 9 
 
 
S 9 8 7 6
H A K Q 5
D —
S SouthC —

Out of 8 tricks, what is your goal to win? 

You win H A; then what? 
 A. Lead spades once only
 B. Lead spades twice
 C. Cash the top hearts right away

5. S K 3 2
H 3 2
D —
C —
Table 
North leads 
 
 
S A 7 6 5 4
H A 6 5 4
D —
S SouthC —

Out of 9 tricks, what is your goal to win? 

How would you play? 
 A. Duck a spade
 B. Win S K then duck a heart
 C. Duck a heart then win S K

6. S 4 3 2
H Q 3 2
D —
C —
Table 
Lead: H 6East plays H J 
 
 
S A 8 7 6 5
H K 10 9 4
D —
S SouthC —

Out of 9 tricks, what is your goal to win? 

You win H K; then what? 
 A. Win S A then lead a spade
 B. Win S A then lead hearts
 C. Duck a spade then win S A

  Quit

Top   Controlling the Ruffs

7. S Q J 2
H 4 3 2
D —
C —
Table 
Lead: H Q 
 
 
S A K 5 4 3
H A K 6 5
D —
S SouthC —

Out of 9 tricks, what is your goal to win? 

You win H A; then what? 
 A. Duck a heart
 B. Win S Q; S K; then duck a heart
 C. Win S Q; H K; then lose a heart

8. S Q 3 2
H 3 2
D —
C —
Table 
Lead: H Q 
 
 
S A 7 6 5 4
H A K 5 4
D —
S SouthC —

Out of 9 tricks, what is your goal to win? 

How would you play? 
 A. Win H A-K then ruff a heart
 B. Win H A then lead S 4 toward queen
 C. Duck a heart

9. S 4 3 2
H 4 3 2
D —
C —
Table 
North leads 
 
 
S A K 7 6 5
H A K 6 5
D —
S SouthC —

Out of 9 tricks, what is your goal to win? 

How would you play? 
 A. Win S A; H A; H K; lose a heart
 B. Win S A then duck a heart
 C. Win S A then duck a spade

  Quit

Top   Controlling the Ruffs

© 2014 Richard Pavlicek