Exercise 4J41 Main

Defending with Signals

by Richard Pavlicek

As West or East, answer each question about the defense.

1. Q 9 3 West North East South
Both vul K Q 3 2 1
7 6 2 Pass 2 NT Pass 4
A Q 2 Pass Pass Pass
2 Table
9 7 6 5
A K 10 4 3
10 8 7 4 South

You lead the K and East plays the queen. What do you lead next?

If South leads the 4, which heart do you play?

If South leads the 5, which club do you play?

2. A K 9 5 West North East South
None vul A Q 7 1 Pass 1
6 5 3 Pass 2 Pass Pass
J 8 5 Pass
7 6 Table
J 9 8
K Q 10 4
K 10 9 7 2 South

You lead the K, East plays the seven and South the two. Your next lead?

If South leads the 2, which heart do you play?

If South leads the 2, which club do you play?

Quit
Top Defending with Signals

3. Q J 7 West North East South
E-W vul 5 4 3 2 NT
Q J 9 8 3 Pass 3 NT Pass Pass
7 4 Pass
5 2 Table
A Q J 8
10 2
J 10 9 8 3 3 NT South

You lead the J, East plays the two and South the king. Who has the Q?

South leads the K. Your diamond play?

East takes the A on the third round. Your discard?

4. Q 10 9 West North East South
Both vul 10 4 2 1
5 4 3 Pass 2 Pass 4
K Q J 8 Pass Pass Pass
Table K 8 3
J 9 8
10 8 2
4 South 9 6 4 2

West leads the Q. Which diamond do you play?

Which heart do you play when trumps are first led?

If South leads the 3 to North’s king, which club do you play?

Quit
Top Defending with Signals

5. Q 10 6 West North East South
N-S vul K J 1 NT
K Q 8 5 Pass 3 NT Pass Pass
7 6 4 3 Pass
Table 8 4 3 2
A Q 10 8 7
J 3
3 NT South 9 2

West leads the Q. Which club do you play?

If South leads the 2 to North’s king, which diamond do you play?

What is your first discard as diamonds are led?

6. A 9 3 2 West North East South
E-W vul K Q J 4 1
K 9 Pass 3 Pass 4
J 6 4 Pass Pass Pass
Table 8 4
A 9 5 2
A Q 4
4 South 10 8 3 2

West leads the K. Which club do you play?

Which spade do you play when trumps are first led?

If South leads the 3 and the play goes eight, king, which heart do you play?

Quit
Top Defending with Signals