Exercise 4S29   Main


Unblocking Plays


  by Richard Pavlicek

As South, answer each question about the play.

1.
None Vul
S 4 2
H A K 10 4 3 2
D Q 4
C A 10 8
Lead: D J TableNorth covers, East plays D K
 
 
 
S Q 9 3
H Q
D A 8 6 2
3 NT SouthC 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.
None Vul
S 5 4 3 2
H 8 3
D A Q 6 3 2
C 3 2
Lead: S Q TableEast plays S K
 
 
 
S A 6
H A Q 9 4
D K 9 8 7
3 NT SouthC A K 4

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

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

And the next?

West had one diamond. What next?

Exercise 4S29   MainTop   Unblocking Plays

3.
None Vul
S Q
H K Q 10 2
D 5 4 2
C Q J 9 4 3
Lead: H 9 Table
 
 
 
S A K J 10 4 3
H A J
D K 7 3
4 S SouthC 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.
None Vul
S J 10 9
H A Q J 3 2
D Q 6 2
C 6 4
Lead: S 6 Table
 
 
 
S A K Q 3 2
H 6 5
D 8 5 4
4 S SouthC 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?

Exercise 4S29   MainTop   Unblocking Plays

5.
None Vul
S A K 5 4 3 2
H K
D A K
C A Q J 4
Lead: C 10 Table
 
 
 
S Q
H A Q J 4 3
D 8 6 3 2
6 NT SouthC 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
S
H A 3 2
D Q J 10 9
C Q J 10 9 8 7
Lead: D 2 TableEast plays C 2
 
 
 
S K Q J 10 9 8
H
D A K 8 7 6
7 D SouthC A K

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

Trick three?

Trick four?

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

Exercise 4S29   MainTop   Unblocking Plays

© 2014 Richard Pavlicek