Exercise 4D53   Main

Six Ruff Decisions

by Richard Pavlicek

As South, answer each question about the play.

1. None Vul	6 4 2 Q 3 7 5 2 A K 4 3 2
Lead: Q
	A Q 7 5 3
	J 6 2
	A K 4
2 South	7 5

How many trump winners?

How many side winners?

After winning the K, what is the best play?

A. Win the A and ruff a club
B. Lead the 3 to your jack
C. Lead the 2 and finesse the queen

2. None Vul	A K Q 9 7 6 5 K 5 2 8 7 2
Lead: K
	4 3 2
	—
	A Q J 10 7 6
5 South	A 5 4 3

How many trump winners?

How many side winners?

After winning the A, what is the best play?

A. Win the Q and ruff a heart; try to ruff all of dummy’s hearts
B. Win the K first then ruff hearts…
C. Lead a club

Exercise 4D53   Main

Top   Six Ruff Decisions

3. Both Vul	A 9 6 5 2 K 6 4 3 3 2 6 4
Lead: Q
	K 3
	A 8 5 2
	A K 9 6 5
4 South	Q 2

How many trump winners?

How many side winners?

After winning the A what is the best play?

A. Win K-A and ruff a spade
B. Win K, K-A, ruff a spade
C. Win K, K-A, ruff a diamond

4. None Vul	Q J 10 A 4 3 A 8 2 Q 8 3 2
Lead: J
	A K 8 7 5 2
	K Q 8 2
	K 4 3
6 South	—

How many trump winners?

How many side winners?

After ruffing the first trick, what is the best play?

A. Win the Q and ruff a club; try to ruff all of dummy’s clubs
B. Win the Q then win K-A-Q
C. Win the Q-J then win K-A-Q

Exercise 4D53   Main

Top   Six Ruff Decisions

5. E-W Vul	2 K 3 J 9 6 5 4 J 8 6 4 3
Lead: J
	A Q 6 5
	A 7 6 2
	8
4 South	K Q 10 9

How many trump winners?

How many side winners?

What is the best play? (Enemy clubs break 2-2)

A. Win the K and finesse the Q
B. Win the K, A and ruff a spade
C. Win the A and lead a diamond

6. N-S Vul	J 6 5 2 K 8 7 K Q 6 2 4 3
Lead: 9
	A K 7 4
	A 4 2
	A 3
4 South	J 8 7 6

How many trump winners?

How many side winners?

After winning the A, what is the best play?

A. Lead a club
B. Cash A-K, K-Q, diamond ruff, A-K and ruff a heart
C. Cash A-K then lead a club

Exercise 4D53   Main

Top   Six Ruff Decisions

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek