Exercise 4C45   Main

Tricks of the Trade

by Richard Pavlicek

As South, answer each question.

1. Both Vul	Q 9 6 3 8 5 3 A 6 A 8 4 2			West Pass Pass	North 2 3 NT	EAST Pass Pass All Pass	South 1 NT 2
Lead: 4			East plays Q
	J 10 4
	A K 6
	K Q 2
3 NT South	K J 6 5

How many top tricks do you have in all four suits?

How many additional tricks do you need to make your contract?

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by an honor?

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by length?

Does the lead look like Fourth best, Short suit or Honor sequence? (F S H)

Do you plan to use the holdup play on the first trick?

Is one specific opponent more dangerous than the other? If so, who?

In which suit do you plan to establish your first additional trick?

Exercise 4C45   Main

Top   Tricks of the Trade

2. N-S Vul	Q J 5 4 3 A 10 9 6 A 2 6 4			West Pass Pass Pass	North 3 3 6 NT	East Dbl Pass All Pass	SOUTH 2 NT 3 3 NT
Lead: 5			East plays 9
	A 10
	Q J 8
	K Q J 10 7
6 NT South	A K 8

How many top tricks do you have in all four suits?

How many additional tricks do you need to make your contract?

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by an honor?

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by length?

Does the lead look like Fourth best, Short suit or Honor sequence? (F S H)

Do you plan to use the holdup play on the first trick?

Is one specific opponent more dangerous than the other? If so, who?

In which suit do you plan to establish your first additional trick?

Exercise 4C45   Main

Top   Tricks of the Trade

3. E-W Vul	6 5 4 9 7 2 4 3 A K 8 5 2			West Pass All Pass	North 2 NT	East Pass	SOUTH 1 NT 3 NT
Lead: 3			East plays K
	A 8 2
	A 4 3
	A K Q 8 2
3 NT South	10 3

How many top tricks do you have in all four suits?

How many additional tricks do you need to make your contract?

How many suits may yield an extra trick by an honor?

Which suit(s) may yield an extra trick by length?

Does the lead look like Fourth best, Short suit or Honor sequence? (F S H)

Do you plan to use the holdup play on the first trick?

Is one specific opponent more dangerous than the other? If so, who?

In which suit do you plan to establish your first additional trick?

Exercise 4C45   Main

Top   Tricks of the Trade

© 1990 Richard Pavlicek