Exercise 4M35   Main


Tactical Defense


  by Richard Pavlicek

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

1.
Both Vul
S A J 10 6 5 3
H
D J 5 4
C K Q 3 2
West

2 D
All Pass
North

2 S
East

Pass
SOUTH
1 H
4 H
S Q 8 4
H A 10 2
D A K 10 9 7 6
C 9
Table4 H South

You lead the D K; partner plays the three, South the queen. Next lead?

Everyone follows. Which suit do you lead next?

Partner ruffs with the H 7; South overruffs with H 9 and leads H J. Your play?

2.
N-S Vul
S J 10 9 5
H K Q 10 9
D J 5
C K J 4
West

Pass
Pass
North

2 C
4 S
East

Pass
All Pass
SOUTH
1 NT
2 S
S Q 4 3 2
H 6 4
D K Q 10 9
C 9 5 2
Table4 S South

You win the first two tricks with the D K-Q as partner high-lows. What next?

North ruffs and leads S J; king, ace. South next leads the S 6. Do you win?

What will you lead when you win the S Q?

Exercise 4M35   MainTop   Tactical Defense

3.
None Vul
S K 4
H Q J
D K Q 10 5 2
C K 7 5 2
West

Pass
All Pass
NORTH
1 D
1 NT
East
Dbl
Pass
South
1 H
4 H
4 H SouthTable S A Q J 3
H A 4 3
D 4
C J 10 9 8 3

Partner leads the S 2 and you capture North’s king with your ace. How many spades does South have?

Which minor ace, if any, is partner likely to hold?

Which card do you lead next?

4.
E-W Vul
S J 10 9
H K 8 7
D 3 2
C A K Q 10 5
West

Pass
Pass
North

2 C
4 S
East

Pass
All Pass
SOUTH
1 S
2 NT
4 S SouthTable S K Q 7
H 9 6 5 3 2
D A 6
C J 9 7

Partner leads the D K. Which card do you play?

Assume North ruffs the third round of diamonds. Do you overruff?

Which card do you hope partner has to be able to set the contract?

Exercise 4M35   MainTop   Tactical Defense

5.
N-S Vul
S A 5 4
H A 9 6 4
D K 4
C A 9 7 6
WEST
2 D
Pass
North
Dbl
4 H
East
Pass
All Pass
South
3 H
4 H SouthTable S Q J 10 9
H 10 7 3
D 9
C K Q 10 8 3

Partner leads the D Q and North wins the king. How many diamonds do you think South has?

How many hearts did South show in the bidding?

At trick two North leads the D 4. Do you ruff?

6.
Both Vul
S K J
H Q 4 3
D K 4 2
C A 10 9 5 4
West

Pass
Pass
North

2 C
4 H
East

2 S
All Pass
SOUTH
1 H
Pass
4 H SouthTable S A Q 10 8 4 2
H A 5
D 9 8 6 5
C 3

Partner leads the S 7 and you win the first two tricks. What do you lead next?

Partner discards the D 3; North ruffs small, then the H 4 is led. Your play?

What will you lead when you win the H A?

Exercise 4M35   MainTop   Tactical Defense

© 1995 Richard Pavlicek