Exercise 4V87   Main


Make It on Ice!


  by Richard Pavlicek

On each of these 3 NT contracts, assume you are playing rubber bridge or IMPs.
West leads a spade as shown, and your only goal is to make your contract.
Only one play (A, B or C) will guarantee nine tricks. Can you find it?

1.
Any Vul
S A K
H Q
D Q J 10 4 3
C J 10 9 8 7
Lead: S Q Table
 
 
 
S 5 4 3
H K J 8
D A K 2
3 NT SouthC K 4 3 2

After winning the S K, how do you play?

A. Lead the H Q
B. Run the diamonds
C. Lead the C J

2.
Any Vul
S A 4 3
H A
D K Q 9 2
C A Q 5 4 3
Lead: S 9 Table
 
 
 
S Q J 10
H K Q J 10 2
D 5 4 3
3 NT SouthC 7 2

From West’s lead, it looks like the S K is offside. How do you play?

A. Win S A; H A; lead a spade
B. Win S A; H A; lead the D K
C. Duck first spade to East’s king

Exercise 4V87   MainTop   Make It on Ice!

3.
Any Vul
S 10 6
H A K J 4
D A 8 6 5 4
C A K
Lead: S 4 Table
 
 
 
S K 9 8 2
H 9 7 3
D K Q
3 NT SouthC J 9 3 2

You play low from dummy and take East’s S Q with your king. What next?

A. Lead the S 2
B. Finesse the H J
C. Win the D K-Q

4.
Any Vul
S 4
H K 4 2
D 7 5 4 3 2
C A Q J 10
Lead: S 6 Table
 
 
 
S A Q J
H Q J 7 5
D K Q J
3 NT SouthC K 3 2

East plays the S 10 and you win the queen. What do you do next?

A. Lead the H 5 to the king
B. Lead the D K
C. Win C Q; lead H 2 to queen

Exercise 4V87   MainTop   Make It on Ice!

5.
Any Vul
S K Q 5 4
H J 6 3
D A K J 10 9
C K
Lead: S J Table
 
 
 
S A 2
H A 10 2
D 6 3 2
3 NT SouthC J 10 9 8 2

This looks easy — or is it? How do you play?

A. Win S A; cash the D A-K
B. Win S A; finesse the D J
C. Win S K; lead the C K

6.
Any Vul
S Q 2
H 3 2
D A Q 10 9 8 7
C Q 6 3
Lead: S 10 Table
 
 
 
S A K 5
H A Q 8 4
D K
3 NT SouthC K 9 7 4 2

What a nice diamond suit! After carefully winning the S K, what next?

A. Overtake D K with D A
B. Win D K; lead the C K
C. Win D K; lead C 2 to queen

Exercise 4V87   MainTop   Make It on Ice!

© 2003 Richard Pavlicek