Exercise 4T41   Main

How’s Your Timing?

by Richard Pavlicek

As South, answer each question. Assume you are playing matchpoint duplicate bridge.

1. Both Vul	K 6 2 A 7 5 4 3 6 2 7 6 5
Lead: 3
	A Q 4
	6 2
	J 7 5 4 3
1 NT South	A K 8

No enemy bidding

What is your chance (%) to win three heart tricks?

…two diamond tricks?

What is the best play?

A. Lead a diamond
B. Play the A and another heart
C. Duck a heart

2. None Vul	3 2 8 5 4 9 8 7 4 2 A 4 2			West Dbl All Pass	North Pass	East 2	SOUTH 1 2
Lead: K
	A K 8 7 6 5
	A 7
	3
2 South	K Q 7 6

Do you win the first trick?

After winning the A, which suit do you lead?

What will you do later?

A. Duck the first round of trumps
B. Win K-A then lead the 4
C. Win K-A then lead another spade

Exercise 4T41   Main

Top   How’s Your Timing?

3. None Vul	J 7 2 J 10 9 J 5 2 A Q J 7
Lead: 5			East plays 4
	10 6 5
	A Q 3
	A K 3
3 NT South	K 10 6 2

No enemy bidding

Who has the K?

Are your chances Good, Fair or Poor? (G F P)

What is the best play?

A. Win the J and lead the J
B. Win the J and run the clubs
C. Win Q, J then lead the 2

4. N-S Vul	A J 10 8 6 5 2 K 3 2 9 8 2			West Pass Pass	North 2 4	East Pass All Pass	SOUTH 1 3
Lead: Q
	K Q 9 8 7
	A K 4
	A 5
4 South	7 6 5

Which suit offers the only chance for a 10th trick?

Can it work legitimately?

What is the best play?

A. Win the A and duck a heart
B. Win the A and lead a club
C. Duck the opening lead

Exercise 4T41   Main

Top   How’s Your Timing?

5. None Vul	9 7 A 2 Q J 8 5 3 2 8 6 4
Lead: K			West continues with A-10
	A Q J 10 8
	K 9 6 4 3
	4
2 South	Q J

No enemy bidding

How will the missing hearts usually divide?

…the missing spades?

What is the best play?

A. Discard the 4
B. Ruff and lead the 4 to the jack
C. Ruff, play A-K and ruff a heart

6. N-S Vul	10 8 7 3 5 4 3 K 4 8 6 4 2			West 2 Dbl	North Pass 3	EAST 1 Pass All Pass	South 2 3
Lead: 2			East wins A and leads 5
	J
	A 9 8 7 6 2
	A 10 6 3
3 South	A 3

Assuming normal defense, who has the Q?

Do you win the first club?

What is the best play?

A. Duck the first round of trumps
B. Win K-A and ruff a diamond
C. Win A, K-A and ruff a diamond

Exercise 4T41   Main

Top   How’s Your Timing?

© 1994 Richard Pavlicek