Exercise 6A59   Main

Hands of Count Alu-Card

by Richard Pavlicek

Warning: If you count these hands after dark, be sure to bring along a wooden stake!
Determine the most likely pattern of West’s hand, then decide your play.

1. None Vul	A 8 6 10 3 10 5 3 2 A Q 10 4
Lead: 2			East plays J
	K 3
	J 5 4 2
	A K Q 4
3 NT South	K 3 2

You win the K and cash two diamonds, West discarding a heart.

What is West’s shape?

Your play in clubs?

A. Win the queen, king, ace
B. Win the queen, king, finesse the ten
C. Win the queen then lead the ten

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

You draw trumps (East held three). You cash your top clubs and West shows out on the third round.

What is West’s shape?

Your play in diamonds?

A. Win the ace then finesse the ten
B. Win the king then finesse the jack
C. Win the ace and king

Exercise 6A59   Main

Top   Hands of Count Alu-Card

3. None Vul	5 3 A Q 3 K J 10 9 Q 6 5 4
Lead: 2			East plays 10
	A K
	K J 4 2
	A Q 8 2
6 NT South	K 7 2

All follow to three hearts, and West shows out on the third diamond.

What is West’s shape?

Your play in clubs?

A. Lead the four to the king
B. Lead the two to the queen
C. Lead the king

4. Both Vul	K Q 9 4 A 3 A 4 3 2 Q J 10			WEST 2 Pass	North Dbl Pass	East 4 Pass	South 4
Lead: 4			East wins K
	A J 10 8
	2
	K J 10 8
4 South	7 6 3 2

East wins both top clubs then gives West a ruff; West leads a heart. All follow to two rounds of trumps.

What is West’s shape?

Your play in diamonds?

A. Win the ace then finesse the jack
B. Win the king then run the jack
C. Win the ace and king

Exercise 6A59   Main

Top   Hands of Count Alu-Card

5. None Vul	5 4 A 8 7 2 J 10 4 J 5 4 2
Lead: 5			East wins A
	A Q 9 8 7
	K 4
	K 2
3 NT South	A K Q 10

East returns the 9 (West plays 3). East discards a heart on the third club.

What is West’s shape?

What is your plan?

A. Finesse the Q
B. Finesse the 9
C. Win the K-A then lead a diamond

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

West shifts to the 2; seven, nine, ace. West shows out on the second round of trumps.

What is West’s shape?

What is your plan?

A. Lead a diamond and duck it
B. Win the A-K then lead a club
C. Win the A and duck a club

Exercise 6A59   Main

Top   Hands of Count Alu-Card

© 1996 Richard Pavlicek