Practice 5F01 Main

Combating Weak Openings

by Richard Pavlicek

West North East South 1 North deals 8 TT=7 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
3 Dbl Pass None vul A K 7 6 5 3 2 1. N K 8 Q 4
4 ! Pass Pass Pass 7 2 2. N A 9 6 10
10 8 2 3. N 5 K! 4 J
9 11 7 10 14 15 10 10 A 10 9 6 5 Table K J 7 2 4. E J! 3 5 8
J 10 4 9 8 5. E 2 4 9 2
4 3 A Q 9 5 6. W A 3 7 Q
A 5 3 K J 6 7. W 3 2 9! 10
Bidding Combat preempt Q 4 3 South is endplayed
Resp to takeout double Q
Play Avert overruff K J 10 8 6
Throw-in play Q 9 7 4
Defense Try for an overruff 4 West Made 4 +420

West North East South 2 East deals Q TT=9 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
2 2 ! N-S vul A 8 7 6 4 3 1. E K 3 J A
Pass 3 Pass 4 A 9 6 2. N 3 2 K 2
Pass Pass Pass Q 4 3 3. S A! 4 Q 5
K 6 4 Table 9 7 5 4. S J! 6 6! 7
6 6 12 12 8 11 14 15 J 10 9 5 2 — 5. S 2 K 4 9
J 8 K Q 10 7 5 2 6. N 6 5 Q 5
J 10 8 K 9 7 5 7. S 10 9 9 7
Bidding Combat weak two-bid A J 10 8 3 2 8. W J! Q K A
Resp to suit overcall K Q 9. S 8 10 3 5
Play Ruffing finesse 4 3 Lose 1 more trick
Survive bad break A 6 2
Defense Attack dummy’s entry 4 North Made 4 +620

West North East South 3 South deals 4 2 TT=10 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
Pass E-W vul 4 3 1. S K 4 A! 2
Pass 3 3 Pass J 10 4 2. N Q J 2 5
4 ! Pass Pass Pass A Q 10 9 8 3 3. N 9 10 J 6
K 7 Table A Q 10 8 6 5 4. S J 5 3 A
10 11 7 9 15 16 8 8 K 7 6 5 A Q 5. E 5 3 K 2
A 3 2 Q 6 5 6. W 7 4 A 9
7 6 5 4 J 2 7. E Q 7 2 3
Bidding Combat preempt J 9 3 8. E 8 8 7 8
Resp to suit overcall J 10 9 8 2 9. E Q 8 6 4
Play Positional squeeze K 9 8 7 10. E 6! ?
Defense Overtaking play K South is squeezed
Trump promotion 4 East Made 4 +620

West North East South 4 West deals A Q 2 TT=6 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
2 Dbl Pass 2 Both vul Q 4 1. W J 4! 2 3!
Pass 3 ! Pass 3 NT A K 3 2. W Q! K 8 2
Pass Pass Pass A J 10 9 8 3. N A 7 5 3
4 3 Table J 10 9 7 4. N Q 9 6 4
8 10 20 21 4 5 8 8 A J 10 9 7 6 5 2 5. N 2 10 K 6
Q J 9 10 8 7 6. S Q 3 8 K
4 3 K 7 6 2 7. E J 8 4 3
K 8 6 5 Lose 1 more trick
Bidding Combat weak two-bid K 8 3
Rebid by doubler 6 5 4 2
Play Holdup play Q 5
Defense Shift to another suit 3 NT South Made 3 +600

Practice 5F05 Main

Combating Weak Openings II

Top by Richard Pavlicek

West North East South 1 North deals 3 2 TT=8 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
3 Dbl Pass None vul 6 5 2 1. N K 4 9 7
4 ! Pass Pass Pass 5 2. N A J Q 10
A K 8 6 5 3 2 3. N 5 2 9 K
11 12 7 10 15 15 7 7 Q 5 4 Table A K 8 6 4. W Q 2 10 3
A Q 9 8 K 10 4 5. W 8 5 K 7
K 8 4 3 A 7 6 2 6. E 4 J A 6
10 7 J 4 7. W 3 2 6! 10
Bidding Combat preempt J 10 9 7 8. S J 4 2 K
Resp to takeout double J 7 3 9. E A! J 4 3
Play Ducking play Q J 10 9 10. E 6 7 Q 3
Automatic squeeze Q 9 11. W 9! 5 7 ?
Defense Try for a ruff 4 West Made 4 +420 South is squeezed

West North East South 2 East deals 6 3 2 TT=7 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
2 Dbl N-S vul 4 3 1. W 7 2 9! 4!
Pass 3 Pass 3 NT! K 10 9 5 4 2. E 2! K 8 3
Pass Pass Pass J 9 3 3. S Q A 4 3
7 5 Table A Q J 10 9 4. W 7 4 J 5!
7 8 4 5 8 9 21 21 Q 10 8 7 J 6 2 5. E 6 A 10 5
A J 7 2 8 6 3 6. S 5 2 9 4
Bidding Combat weak two-bid 8 6 2 7 4 7. N 3! A 8 5
Rebid by doubler K 8 4 8. E Q K 6 6
Play Holdup play A K 9 5 9. S 10 8 J 7
Communication/entries Q 10. N K 6 9 2
Defense Duck to retain entry A K Q 10 5 Win the rest
Shift to another suit 3 NT South Made 3 +600

West North East South 3 South deals K 8 TT=9 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
2 E-W vul 6 2 1. S 3 K 4 7
3 ! Pass 3 Pass Q 10 9 4 2 2. W 5! 10 9 7
4 Pass Pass Pass J 10 9 5 3. E 5 4 K 2
9 2 Table J 10 4 4. W 6 9 10 3
16 17 6 8 9 11 9 11 K J A Q 10 9 7 5 5. E 7 3 J 6
A K J 8 6 5 7 6. W 8 Q Q 5
A 4 3 Q 7 6 7. E A 8 2 2
Bidding Combat weak two-bid A Q 7 6 5 3 8. E 6 2 A 5
Resp to suit overcall 8 4 3 Cash 2 more winners
Play Read enemy lead 3
Set up dummy’s suit K 8 2
Defense Try for a ruff 4 East Made 4 +620

West North East South 4 West deals K Q J 10 2 TT=10 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
3 3 ! Pass 4 Both vul A J 5 1. E 3 A J Q
Pass 4 NT Pass 5 Q 2. S 3 4 K 9
Pass 5 NT Pass 6 K 8 7 6 3. N 2 10 A 5
Pass 6 AP 7 6 5 4 Table 9 4. S 8 6 Q 4
Q K 10 9 8 7 4 5. N J 4 2 7
6 8 16 16 4 6 14 15 K J 10 9 8 7 2 6 4 3 6. N K 2 3 10
10 J 9 2 7. N 6 9 Q 2
A 8 3 8. S 5! K 7! 6
Bidding Combat preempt 6 3 2 Win the rest
Cue-bid to show fit A 5
Play Communication/entries A Q 5 4 3
Jettison play 6 North Made 6 +1430

Practice 5F09 Main

Combating Weak Openings III

Top by Richard Pavlicek

West North East South 1 North deals 4 2 TT=7 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
2 2 Pass None vul 10 9 2 1. N 10? K! 8 3
3 NT! Pass Pass Pass A Q J 8 7 3 2. E 8 5 3! 2
Q 4 3. E 2 9 J! Q
12 12 9 10 14 15 5 6 Q 3 Table A K 10 9 8 4. N 9 5 6 Q
Q 4 3 A K 5 5. W Q 4 9 6
K 9 5 6 4 6. W A 4 3 10
A J 7 6 5 8 3 2 7. W 4 2 A 7
Bidding Combat weak two-bid J 7 6 5 8. E A 7 5 3
Resp to suit overcall J 8 7 6 9. E K J 6 7
Play Avoidance finesse 10 2 10. E 10 J 7 8
Throw-in play K 10 9 11. E 4 10 5 J
North squeezed in 1 suit 3 NT West Made 4 +430 N endplayed (lose 1)

West North East South 2 East deals A K Q TT=8 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
2 Pass N-S vul 8 3 1. W 2 3 K 9
3 Dbl Pass 3 A 6 5 3 2. E A Q 7 8
Pass 4 ! AP A K J 3 3. E 4 3 8 Q
10 8 Table 9 4 2 4. N A 2 5 10
4 5 21 22 9 10 6 6 J 7 2 A K 10 6 5 4 5. N K 9 6 J
K 9 8 2 10 7 6. N 3! 7 Q K
10 9 7 4 Q 2 7. W 2 A! 10 4
J 7 6 5 3 8. N A 2 5 4
Bidding Combat weak two-bid Q 9 9. N 5 4 J 8
Rebid by doubler Q J 4 10. S J 7 3 5
Play Lead toward honor 8 6 5 11. S 7! 9 6 6
Show-up finesse 4 South Made 4 +620 12. S 6 10 K! Q

West North East South 3 South deals A 9 7 5 TT=9 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
3 E-W vul K 1. S Q 3 K A
Dbl Pass 4 ! Pass K Q J 9 2. E Q! 2 3 5
Pass Pass 8 6 5 2 3. E J 4 4 7
K 6 4 3 Table Q J 10 8 4. E 2! 5 K! 2
12 14 13 13 12 13 3 6 3 A 7 6 2 5. W 6 A 8 8
A 8 5 3 7 6 2 6. N K 2 4 A
K Q 10 7 A J 7. W 7 5 A 3
Bidding Combat preempt 2 8. E 10 9 3 9
Resp to takeout double Q J 10 9 8 5 4 9. E J 4 Q 6
Play Trump management 10 4 Cash 2 more winners
Avert overruff 9 4 3
Defense Duck to keep control 4 East Made 4 +620

West North East South 4 West deals Q J 5 4 TT=5 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
Pass Pass 2 Dbl Both vul Q 10 2 1. E 7 J 3 Q!
Pass 2 Pass 3 9 7 6 5 2. N 5 2 J 8
Pass 3 NT! AP Q 8 3. S A 7 4 3
10 9 8 7 Table 6 3 4. S K 8 5 6
4 5 7 7 10 12 19 20 9 6 3 A K 8 7 5 4 5. S 2 9 Q 4
10 8 K 3 2 6. N J 4 7 10
A 5 3 2 6 4 7. N 6 3 Q 10
A K 2 Cash 2 more winners
Bidding Combat weak two-bid J
Resp to takeout double A Q J 4
Play Play for only chance K J 10 9 7
Overtaking play 3 NT North Made 3 +600

Practice 5F13 Main

Combating Weak Openings IV

Top by Richard Pavlicek

West North East South 1 North deals 6 5 TT=7 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
3 Dbl! Pass None vul 10 1. N K 3 6 A
4 Pass Pass Pass K 8 2 2. W 2 10 A 6
K Q 10 8 7 5 4 3. E 3! 5 9! K
10 10 8 11 13 15 9 9 K 4 2 Table A J 9 7 3 4. N 6! 9 10 K
J 9 4 3 2 A K 7 5 5. W Q! 2 4 A
Q 9 J 4 3 6. S J 2 4 5
A 9 2 3 7. E K 8 3 5
Bidding Combat preempt Q 10 8 8. E J 6 2 8
Resp to takeout double Q 8 6 9. E A 8 4 5
Play Pursue extra chance A 10 7 6 5 10. E 3 Q 4 7
Delay drawing trumps J 6 11. W 9 10 7 Q
Defense Shift to another suit 4 West Made 4 +420 Claim the rest

West North East South 2 East deals A K 8 7 5 3 TT=5 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
2 3 N-S vul Q 5 4 1. W 7 4 10 9!
Pass 3 Pass 3 NT! 9 8 3 2. E 10! 3 7 K
Pass Pass Pass K 3. N 9 5 6 2!
J 10 9 Table Q 6 2 4. N 3 2 10! K
6 7 12 12 7 9 15 18 7 6 A J 10 8 3 2 5. W J! K 6 4
K 4 2 5 6. N A 2 4 9
Bidding Combat weak two-bid Q 7 6 5 2 10 9 8 7. N 8 3 J 4
Resp to suit overcall 4 Cash 4 more winners
Play Holdup play K 9
Duck to retain entry A Q J 10 7 6
Defense Shift to another suit A J 4 3
Holdup play 3 NT South Made 3 +600

West North East South 3 South deals J 7 TT=6 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
4 E-W vul 8 5 4 2 1. S K K! 7 4
4 NT! Pass 5 Pass A 9 6 5 4 2. W 6 2 Q 3
Pass Pass K J 3. E 9! 10 A! J
— Table A 9 4 4. W 7 4 J 2
16 19 9 9 8 9 7 12 A K 7 6 Q J 10 9 5. E 10 3 2 5
K Q 8 7 J 10 3 2 6. E 9 5 3 8
A 7 4 3 2 9 6 7. E 2 6 Q 4
K Q 10 8 6 5 3 2 8. W K A 3 8
Bidding Combat preempt 3 9. N 5 J Q 7
Unusual notrump bid — Lose 1 more trick
Play Retain suit control Q 10 8 5
Ruffing with 4-4 fit 5 East Made 5 +650

West North East South 4 West deals Q 3 TT=6 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
2 2 NT! Pass 3 Both vul K 8 6 4 1. E 2 4 A 6
Pass 3 Pass 4 K J 6 2. W 9 J 7 5
Pass Pass Pass A K J 7 3. E Q A! 2 4
J 7 Table K 9 8 6 4. S 4! 6 A 3
7 9 17 17 8 10 8 10 2 Q J 10 7 5. N 7! 2 3 5
A Q 10 9 8 3 2 6. S 5 3 K 10
10 8 6 5 Q 9 3 2 7. N K 9 2 8
Bidding Combat weak two-bid A 10 5 4 2 8. N J Q 9 10
Stayman convention A 9 5 3 9. S 7 8 K 6
Play Elimination technique 7 5 4 10. N 6! J 4 10
Throw-in play 4 South is endplayed
Defense Suit preference signal 4 North Made 4 +620

Practice 5F17 Main

Combating Weak Openings V

Top by Richard Pavlicek

West North East South 1 North deals K 9 5 2 TT=7 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
Pass 4 Dbl None vul 5 4 1. S K 2 3 8!
Pass Pass! Pass J 9 3 2. S 2! 3 4 6
A 7 6 2 3. E 4 3 9 A
6 6 8 9 10 13 16 17 J 10 7 6 Table 3 4. N 5! A 9 Q
Q 3 A K J 10 8 7 6 5. E 5 K 10 2
10 7 2 Q 8 4 6. S A! 6 9 3
Q J 10 9 5 4 7. S 4 10 K 7
Bidding Combat preempt A Q 8 4 Lose 2 more tricks
Optional double 9 2
Play Deceptive play A K 6 5
Defense Attitude signal K 8 3
Attack dummy’s entry 4 × East Down 3 -500

West North East South 2 East deals A Q 6 TT=6 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
Pass Pass N-S vul A 3 1. E 10 3 J! 6!
2 2 NT Pass 3 NT Q 8 2 2. W 8 Q 2 7
Pass Pass Pass A J 7 6 3 3. N 2 K? 3 7
K J 9 8 5 4 Table 10 2 4. E 6 J 2 3
8 10 17 18 7 9 8 10 10 8 2 Q 9 7 6 4 5. S 4 A Q 5
A 7 K 5 Win the rest
8 4 Q 10 9 5
7 3
K J 5
Bidding Combat weak two-bid J 10 9 6 4 3
Play Holdup play K 2
Defense Overtaking play 3 NT North Made 4 +630

West North East South 3 South deals K Q 7 4 TT=6 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
3 E-W vul 9 1. W J Q A 2
Pass 5 Dbl! Pass J 8 5 2 2. E A! Q! 10! 3
Pass Pass J 6 5 3 3. E K 5 3 9
J 10 9 Table A 8 6 5 3 4. E 8 2 K 5
8 8 7 9 18 19 7 9 Q 10 4 3 A K 8 7 2 5. W 9 6 K! A
Q K Concede high trump
K 10 9 7 4 A 8
Bidding Sacrifice bid 2
Combat preempt J 6 5
Play Deceptive play A 10 9 7 6 4 3
Defense Attitude signal Q 2
Uppercut 5 × South Down 3 -500

West North East South 4 West deals 10 9 5 TT=7 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
Pass 4 4 NT Pass Both vul A K Q J 10 8 2 1. N K 8 6 3
6 ! Pass Pass Pass 6 2 2. E A 7 5 2
4 3. E 3 9 6 6
9 11 10 13 13 16 8 9 A 6 4 2 Table Q 3 4. W 7 4 9 2
7 5 4 3 — 5. E 4 J A 2
5 A Q 10 8 4 3 6. W 4 8 Q 9
A J 7 6 K Q 10 9 8 7. E 8 K J 10
K J 8 7 8. W 5 J 10 7
Bidding Combat preempt 9 6 9. E K 3 7 Q
Unusual notrump bid K J 9 7 10. E Q 5 2 5
Play Set up dummy’s suit 5 3 2 South is endplayed
Throw-in play 6 West Made 6 +1370

Practice 5F21 Main

Combating Weak Openings VI

Top by Richard Pavlicek

West North East South 1 North deals A J 9 8 7 6 TT=7 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
2 3 Pass None vul 7 6 1. N 8 4 10 3!
3 NT Pass Pass Pass 5 3 2. S 2 5 A Q
Q 7 6 3. N 6 2 5 K
12 12 7 9 17 18 4 5 K 5 3 Table Q 4 4. W 2 3 K 6
A Q 3 2 K 4 5. E 3 9 K 6
10 8 2 A K J 9 4 6. W 10 5 4 Q
K 5 4 A 8 3 2 Win the rest
Bidding Combat weak two-bid 10 2
Play Holdup play J 10 9 8 5
Finessing technique Q 7 6
Defense Choose lead at notrump J 10 9
Return partner’s suit 3 NT West Made 4 +430

West North East South 2 East deals J 9 7 2 TT=9 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
3 Dbl N-S vul A K 3 2 1. W Q 2 K! A
Pass 4 Pass 4 10 2 2. S A! 5 2 3
Pass Pass Pass A 10 2 3. S Q! K 7 3
K 10 6 5 Table 3 4. W 4 10 J 8
8 8 12 14 6 8 14 15 8 5 4 10 9 7 5. E 10 Q 4 2
Q 4 K J 9 7 6 5 3 6. S 7! 3 10! Q
K 5 4 3 Q 6 7. E 9 J 5 3
Bidding Combat preempt A Q 8 4 8. S 8! 4 2 6
Resp to takeout double Q J 6 9. S 4 6 9 5
Play Placing enemy cards A 8 Draw trump and claim
Communication/entries J 9 8 7
Defense Overtaking play 4 South Made 4 +620

West North East South 3 South deals K 9 8 7 TT=9 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
3 E-W vul Q J 10 1. S K 2 Q 4
3 Pass 3 Pass Q 2. S A J 5 5
4 Pass Pass Pass Q 10 9 7 5 3. S 9 2! 7 10
Q J Table A 10 6 5 4 3 4. N 10 J 2 3
15 15 10 10 8 10 7 10 A K 7 5 4 2 3 5. E 3 6 A 10
J 2 10 5 4 6. W Q K A 2
Bidding Combat preempt A 6 3 K J 4 7. E 3 3 J 8
Resp to suit overcall 2 Win the rest
Play Avoid trump loser 9 8 6
Placing enemy cards A K 9 8 7 6 3
Defense Trump promotion 8 2
Try for an overruff 4 East Made 4 +620

West North East South 4 West deals K 4 TT=8 Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
Pass Pass 3 Dbl Both vul 10 9 7 6 5 1. E 2 Q 3 5
Pass 4 Pass Pass A 8 6 5 2. S A! 5 3 2
Pass J 3 3. S K 6 J 9
10 5 Table A Q 9 8 7 6 3 4. S 4 Q 9 10
9 11 8 9 6 9 17 17 A 4 8 2 5. N 5 2 K A
K 7 4 3 2 6. W 4 6 8 9
Q 8 7 6 5 10 9 2 E endplayed (lose 1)
J 2
K Q J 3
Bidding Combat preempt Q J 10 9
Play Read enemy lead A K 4
Elimination technique 4 North Made 4 +620

Practice 5F01-5F21 Main Top 24 Practice Deals

`West`	`North`	`East`	`South` 1	North deals	8		TT=7	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	3	Dbl	Pass	None vul	A K 7 6 5 3 2		1. N	K	8	Q	4
4 !	Pass	Pass	Pass		7 2		2. N	A	9	6	10
					10 8 2		3. N	5	K!	4	J
9 11	7 10	14 15	10 10	A 10 9 6 5		K J 7 2	4. E	J!	3	5	8
				J 10 4		9 8	5. E	2	4	9	2
				4 3		A Q 9 5	6. W	A	3	7	Q
				A 5 3		K J 6	7. W	3	2	9!	10
Bidding	Combat preempt				Q 4 3			South is endplayed
	Resp to takeout double				Q
Play	Avert overruff				K J 10 8 6
	Throw-in play				Q 9 7 4
Defense	Try for an overruff			4 West		Made 4 +420

`West`	North	`East`	South 2	East deals	Q		TT=9	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
		2	2 !	N-S vul	A 8 7 6 4 3		1. E	K	3	J	A
Pass	3	Pass	4		A 9 6		2. N	3	2	K	2
Pass	Pass	Pass			Q 4 3		3. S	A!	4	Q	5
				K 6 4		9 7 5	4. S	J!	6	6!	7
6 6	12 12	8 11	14 15	J 10 9 5 2		—	5. S	2	K	4	9
				J 8		K Q 10 7 5 2	6. N	6	5	Q	5
				J 10 8		K 9 7 5	7. S	10	9	9	7
Bidding	Combat weak two-bid				A J 10 8 3 2		8. W	J!	Q	K	A
	Resp to suit overcall				K Q		9. S	8	10	3	5
Play	Ruffing finesse				4 3			Lose 1 more trick
	Survive bad break				A 6 2
Defense	Attack dummy’s entry			4 North		Made 4 +620

West	`North`	East	`South` 3	South deals	4 2		TT=10	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
			Pass	E-W vul	4 3		1. S	K	4	A!	2
Pass	3	3	Pass		J 10 4		2. N	Q	J	2	5
4 !	Pass	Pass	Pass		A Q 10 9 8 3		3. N	9	10	J	6
				K 7		A Q 10 8 6 5	4. S	J	5	3	A
10 11	7 9	15 16	8 8	K 7 6 5		A Q	5. E	5	3	K	2
				A 3 2		Q 6 5	6. W	7	4	A	9
				7 6 5 4		J 2	7. E	Q	7	2	3
Bidding	Combat preempt				J 9 3		8. E	8	8	7	8
	Resp to suit overcall				J 10 9 8 2		9. E	Q	8	6	4
Play	Positional squeeze				K 9 8 7		10. E	6!	?
Defense	Overtaking play				K			South is squeezed
	Trump promotion			4 East		Made 4 +620