Exercise 4S29 Main

Unblocking Plays

by Richard Pavlicek

As South, answer each question about the play.

1. 4 2
None vul A K 10 4 3 2
Q 4
A 10 8
Table
Lead: J North covers, East plays K

Q 9 3
Q
A 8 6 2
3 NT South K Q 9 7 6

Will you use the holdup play at trick one?

After gaining the lead, what are your plays at the next trick?

And the next?

2. 5 4 3 2
None vul 8 3
A Q 6 3 2
3 2
Table
Lead: Q East plays K

A 6
A Q 9 4
K 9 8 7
3 NT South A K 4

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

After gaining the lead, what are your plays at the next trick?

And the next?

West had one diamond. What next?

Quit
Top Unblocking Plays

3. Q
None vul K Q 10 2
5 4 2
Q J 9 4 3
Table
Lead: 9

A K J 10 4 3
A J
K 7 3
4 South 7 2

Is West’s lead a Long suit or Short suit? (L S)

Which hearts do you play at trick one?

Which card do you lead at trick two?

4. J 10 9
None vul A Q J 3 2
Q 6 2
6 4
Table
Lead: 6

A K Q 3 2
6 5
8 5 4
4 South A J 3

Which spades do you play at trick one?

What are your plays at trick two?

The finesse works. Trick three?

Trumps break 3-2. Trick four?

Quit
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5. A K 5 4 3 2
None vul K
A K
A Q J 4
Table
Lead: 10

Q
A Q J 4 3
8 6 3 2
6 NT South 6 5 3

Will you take the club finesse at trick one?

After gaining the lead, what are your plays at the next trick?

What is your next lead?

6. —
None vul A 3 2
Q J 10 9
Q J 10 9 8 7
Table
Lead: 2 East plays 2

K Q J 10 9 8
—
A K 8 7 6
7 South A K

After winning the 9, what are your plays at trick two?

Trick three?

Trick four?

Which cards will you discard on dummy’s last trump and A?

Quit
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