Exercise 6A53   Main

Count Me In!

by Richard Pavlicek

As South, answer each question about the play.

1. Both Vul	A K 7 4 K 7 4 2 K J 10 5 4			West Pass All Pass	NORTH 1 3	East Pass Pass	South 1 4
Lead: Q
	Q J 9 8 2
	6
	8 4
4 South	K Q J 9 6

You play low from dummy and the Q wins. Surprisingly, West shifts to the 7 at trick two.

Which diamond do you play from dummy?

2. E-W Vul	K 8 5 3 2 A Q 10 4 K 8 5 3			West Pass	North 3 NT	East All Pass	SOUTH 1 NT
Lead: 3
	A 2
	A 10 7 4
	K 5 3
3 NT South	A 7 6 4

East plays the 10 and you win the ace. You next lead a club to the king (both follow) then a club to the ace, on which West pitches a heart.

What is West’s shape?

Do you Finesse for the J or play to Drop it? (F D)

Exercise 6A53   Main

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3. None Vul	5 4 3 A K 10 3 Q 4 K 8 4 3			West 2 All Pass	North 3	East Pass	SOUTH 1 NT 3 NT
Lead: K
	A 9 7 6
	7 4
	A K 5 2
3 NT South	A 7 5

You allow West to win the first two tricks with spade honors, as East (void in spades) pitches two hearts.

How many hearts do you think East began with?

4. None Vul	2 A 8 4 2 K 10 7 6 5 Q 5 3			West 4	North 5	EAST 2 All Pass	South 3
Lead: J
	K 9
	K Q 10 9 7 6
	A 8 3
5 South	K 4

East wins the A and shifts to the 9, which goes to the jack and king. You next lead a heart to the king, on which West pitches a club.

What is East’s shape?

After drawing trumps, which card will you lead?

Exercise 6A53   Main

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

You capture East’s 9 with your 10. You next lead the K, on which West plays the jack and East the four.

Which opponent will you finesse for the Q?

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

You capture East’s Q with your ace and lead a spade to the king (both follow). On the next spade East plays the 10.

What is West’s shape?

Do you Finesse for the Q or play to Drop it? (F D)

Exercise 6A53   Main

Top   Count Me In!

© 2011 Richard Pavlicek