Problem Collection 7A54 by Richard Pavlicek

Suit Play Workout


This collection contains 27 declarer play problems at suit contracts. The problems are grouped in triads according to a common theme, as explained after each heading.

Decide how you would play to make each contract as safely as possible. Do not take any risks for an overtrick. The answer to each problem follows immediately, so try to resist the urge to peek!

Copyright © 2000 Richard Pavlicek.

Quiz 7H11

How Many Trumps Do You Draw?


As South, assume you are declarer in 4 S on each deal. How many rounds of trumps do you draw at once? (Assume a 3-2 trump break)

1. 4 S by South

S Q 4 2
H A 5 4 2
D Q J 10 2
C A 3
Lead: H J[W - E]
S A K J 10 9
H K 3
D 9 4
C Q 10 9 4


Answer

Win the H K and draw all the enemy trumps. You have eight top tricks, and by leading diamonds you can establish two more tricks to ensure your contract. Note that if an opponent leads a club, the Q-10-9 will ensure a second club trick for you regardless of the location of the king or jack.

It would be an error to play clubs yourself to try for a ruff in dummy. This might work, but you don’t need it. You might run into foul distribution and be defeated in an ice-cold contract.

2. 4 S by South

S Q 4 2
H 9 7 6
D Q 8 6 4
C A 6 3
Lead: H Q[W - E]
S A K J 10 9
H A K
D A 3
C 9 8 7 4


Answer

Do not draw any trumps. You have nine top tricks, and your 10th trick can be made in clubs — and you don’t need a 3-3 club break because you can ruff your last club in dummy with the S Q. The best play is to win both top hearts, the C A and D A, then give up a club. The opponents are helpless to stop you.

If you led just one round of trumps, you might be defeated if the opponents played back a trump at each opportunity.

3. 4 S by South

S Q 4 2
H 9 7 6
D Q J 10 4
C A 6 3
Lead: H K-A[W - E]
S A K J 10 9
H 2
D 7 6 3
C K Q J 4


Answer

Ruff the second heart lead, draw two rounds of trumps then lead a diamond. You have nine top tricks and need to establish a diamond trick to make 10. If you drew all the enemy trumps, you would be forced out of trumps before you could win a diamond trick (try it). To cope with heart leads it is necessary to keep a trump in dummy.

Note that you must endure the risk of a diamond ruff — if they can get it, you’ll be set — but drawing the last trump would give you almost no chance to succeed.

Quiz 7H26

Four Spades For Sure


As South, assume you are declarer in 4 S on each deal. Can you find the surefire play to guarantee making your contract?

1. 4 S by South

S A K 9 5
H K 6 4
D A Q 9
C K 9 2
Lead: C Q[W - E]East plays C 3
S Q J 10 8 7 6
H 5 3 2
D 4 3
C A 4


Answer

You have 9 top tricks, and there is only one way to be sure of 10. Win the C A and draw the missing trumps (three rounds if necessary). Lead a club to the king and ruff the last club in your hand.

Next lead a diamond and finesse the nine (unless West plays the 10 or jack, then finesse the queen). When East wins this trick he will be endplayed: A heart lead allows you to win the H K; a diamond lead gives you a free finesse; or a club lead allows you to discard a heart and ruff in dummy.

2. 4 S by South

S A 3 2
H —
D 9 8 6 5 4
C A K J 10 4
Lead: S 9[W - E]East plays S 6
S K Q J 10 4
H A 8 5 4 3
D 2
C 3 2


Answer

A number of plays might succeed in practice, but there is only one surefire technique. Win the spade lead in hand and ruff a heart with the S A (do not cash the H A). Lead dummy’s last spade to your hand and draw all of the enemy trumps.

Next lead a club and finesse the jack. If this loses you will have 10 guaranteed tricks: five spades, the H A, a heart ruff, and three clubs. Note: If the club finesse works, do not repeat it (a clever East player might duck with the queen).

3. 4 S by South

S K 10 8 7 4
H A Q J 2
D 5 4 3
C K
Lead: C A[W - E]
S A Q J 9 6 5 3 2
H 6 4
D K 7 2
C —


Answer

Did you notice you have all 13 trumps? Even so, you are in danger of going down if the heart finesse loses and a diamond is returned through your king.

The lifetime guarantee: Discard a heart at trick one. West’s only safe return is a heart, but now you can hop up with dummy’s ace and lead the H Q for a ruffing finesse (if East does not produce the king, discard a diamond). Even if West wins the H K, your D K cannot be led through and dummy’s H J will be established for a discard.

Quiz 7H35

Slams with Endplays


As South, you are declarer in 6 S on each deal. Can you find the winning play? In each case assume the missing trumps divide 2-1.

1. 6 S by South

S 8 7 6 4
H A 5
D A 8 3 2
C A 7 3
Lead: C Q[W - E]
S A K Q J 10 9
H 9 6
D K Q 9 4
C 2


Answer

The only problem on this deal is a bad diamond break, and a neat endplay will ensure your success. Win the C A and ruff a club; draw the enemy trumps; cross to dummy with a heart (not a diamond!), and ruff the last club.

The key play now is to cash one top diamond in your hand, then exit with a heart. Whoever wins must lead a diamond (else give you a ruff and discard), and you simply play second hand low to guarantee picking up the diamonds. No lie of the cards can defeat you.

2. 6 S by South

S K J 10
H A K 10 9
D A 4
C A Q 7 5
Lead: H 8[W - E]
S A Q 9 7 6 5 4
H 4 3
D 2
C 6 4 3


Answer

The problem here is not to rely on the club finesse, and again you can ensure your contract with the proper technique. Win the H K and draw trumps in two rounds. Next cash the D A and ruff a diamond to eliminate that suit.

West’s opening lead places East with the H Q-J. You are now ready for an endplay: Lead a heart and finesse the nine which East must win — and you can claim! Whether East returns a heart, a diamond or a club, this will give you an extra trick and the contract.

3. 6 S by South

S Q 10 8 6 4
H A 10 7 4
D K 3
C A Q
Lead: D J[W - E]
S A J 9 7 5
H K 9 3
D A 7
C K J 6


Answer

Normally, with 10 cards missing the king, the proper play is to take the finesse. In this case, however, you should refuse the 50-percent finesse in favor of an endplay that offers a greater chance. Win the D K and lead the S Q (in case East covers) but win the ace regardless.

Assuming the S K does not drop, cash the D A and win all the clubs (overtaking the C Q) before exiting with a trump. Whoever wins must lead a heart — then you will make your contract whenever the H Q-J are in different hands.

Quiz 7H44

Ruff Weather


On each contract below, West leads the C 2 which you expect from the bidding is a singleton. Can you cope with the impending ruff? Decide your line of play.

1. 4 H by South

S 8 7 2
H Q J 3
D Q 8 4 3 2
C K 3
Lead: C 2[W - E]
S J 3
H A K 10 9 8
D A
C A 7 6 5 4


Answer

You have 8 sure tricks, and you would like to ruff two or three clubs in dummy. If you play the hand routinely, West will ruff your second club winner and return a trump to leave you a trick short. Try it and see.

The solution is not to let West ruff one of your winners. Win the C K then duck the second round of clubs. Regardless of the return, you will be able to ruff your two remaining low clubs in dummy. You will not win your C A until you have drawn all of West’s trumps.

2. 6 H by South

S 3 2
H 9 6 5
D A Q 2
C K 10 8 5 4
Lead: C 2[W - E]
S A K Q
H K Q J 10 8 7
D K
C A Q 3


Answer

You have plenty of winners, but it is easy to see how you could fail. As soon as you lead a trump, East may win and give his partner a club ruff. The only way to prevent this is to get rid of the clubs in your hand. Do not lead trumps yet!

First unblock the D K and cash the S A-K. To reach dummy you must ruff the third spade even though it is good. Now cash the top diamonds and discard your two remaining clubs. At this point you have only trumps left, so you can concede the H A and claim.

3. 4 H by South

S 6 3 2
H K 9 6 5
D A 7 2
C J 10 4
Lead: C 2[W - E]
S K 10
H Q J 10 8 7
D K 3
C A K Q 3


Answer

Here there is no way to prevent the club ruff (if East has an entry), but this does not necessarily mean you will fail. What you would like to do is increase your chances to make the contract after West gets his ruff.

The critical play is to cash your top diamonds and ruff a diamond before you lead trumps. Assume East wins the H A and gives his partner a ruff. If West started with two trumps, he will have no safe exit and you will succeed even if the S A is behind your king.

Quiz 7H66

Girl’s Best Friend


As South on each deal, which suit will you establish and how will you go about it?

1. 6 C by South

S K 7 6 5 4 3
H 5 4
D K 2
C 9 8 2
Lead: H K-A[W - E]
S A 9
H 2
D A 6 5 4 3
C A K Q J 10


Answer

The longest side suit is spades, but if you attempt to establish this suit you will require a 3-2 break in both spades and trumps. Much better is to establish the diamonds — you can survive 4-2 diamonds and 4-1 clubs with careful play.

After ruffing the second heart, do not touch trumps! Lead a diamond to the king, back to your ace, then ruff a diamond with the C 8. Assuming diamonds are 4-2, return to your hand with the S A and ruff another diamond with the C 9. Finally, lead the C 2, draw all the trumps and claim.

2. 6 C by South

S 4 3
H A 8 5 4 3
D A K 6 5 4
C 3
Lead: D Q[W - E]
S A 10 2
H K 2
D 3 2
C A K Q J 10 9


Answer

The instinctive play is to win the D K and draw trumps, but then you will need a 3-3 break in whichever side suit you try to establish. Also note that you cannot combine your chances by trying to set up either suit — you must commit yourself to hearts or diamonds.

The key play is to duck the opening lead, retaining your diamond entry to dummy. As long as there is no singleton diamond, your contract is home. If another diamond is led win the D K and ruff a diamond immediately; now you can draw trumps and claim.

3. 7 C by South

S 4 2
H A K 6 5 4
D A K 6 5 4
C 3
Lead: S Q[W - E]
S A 9 6
H 3 2
D 3
C A K Q J 10 9 8


Answer

You have 12 solid tricks, and the 13th must come from establishing hearts or diamonds. In hearts you will need a 3-3 break because your singleton diamond gives you only one outside entry. In diamonds you will need a 4-3 break. Which break is more likely? Diamonds! (Bridge is an easy game. All you have to do is set up diamonds every time, ha.)

Draw the enemy trumps (do not discard a diamond), win the D A-K and ruff a diamond. Cross to North with a heart and ruff another diamond. The fifth diamond is now good, except on a bad day.

Quiz 7H78

Sparkling In Diamonds


Does your declarer play sparkle? Can you make these contracts on a squeeze play?

1. 5 D by South

S 2
H 9 4 3
D K Q J 10 3
C A 5 4 3
Lead: S K; H Q[W - E]
S 9 8 3
H A 2
D A 9 8 7 6
C K 10 2


Answer

You have 8 top tricks and can ruff two spades in dummy for 10. The 11th must come from a miracle in clubs or a club-heart squeeze. The key play is to duck the H Q, which rectifies the count. Assume West continues with the H J.

Ruff a spade high; cash the D Q; lead the D J to your ace; ruff your last spade high; then lead the D 3 to your nine. Cash your last two diamonds, discarding clubs from dummy. East will be squeezed on the last trump.

East held:
S Q-10-6 H K-10-8-7-6-5 D 2 C Q-J-9

2. 6 D by South

S K 6 5
H 9 6 5 4 3
D K
C 6 5 4 3
Lead: C K[W - E]Trumps split 4-2
S A Q 4 3
H A
D A Q J 10 9 8
C A 2


Answer

You have 11 top tricks and the 12th must come from a 3-3 spade break or a squeeze. The best chance for a squeeze is if one opponent has 4-4 in the black suits. Win the C A and return a club (cashing the H A first is also OK). Assume East wins the club and returns a spade (best).

Win the S A in hand; cross to the D K and ruff a club. This is the key play to isolate your club threat so only one player can stop it. Next lead all your trumps and the H A, and West will be squeezed.

West held:
S J-8-7-2 H J-8-2 D 5-2 C K-Q-10-8

3. 7 D by South

S A 5 4 3
H A 9 4
D J 10 9 8
C A K
Lead: S J[W - E]Trumps split 3-2
S K
H K 10 8 3 2
D A K Q 7
C J 6 5


Answer

You have 10 top tricks and can ruff two spades in your hand to get 12. Your 13th trick might come from a lucky heart layout, the C Q falling, or a heart-club squeeze. You must time the play carefully.

Win the S K, cash the D A and lead your low diamond to dummy; ruff a spade (there is no need to risk cashing S A); cross to the C A; ruff a spade; then cross to the C K. Cash dummy’s last two trumps and the S A, discarding hearts from your hand. West will be squeezed.

West held:
S J-10-9-6 H Q-7-5 D 5-2 C Q-9-8-2

Quiz 7H82

Tricks of the Trade


Each of these contracts requires a tricky play to succeed. As South, are you up to the task?

1. 4 S by South

S J 10 9 3
H A Q 10
D 3
C 8 6 5 4 3
Lead: C K[W - E]East plays C 9
S K 8 7 6 5 4
H K
D A K
C A 10 7 2


Answer

If the S A-Q are offside (or if you misguess), you are in danger of losing two clubs and two spades as soon as you give up the lead. What can you do about it?

Of course! You can discard two clubs on dummy’s hearts. The problem is the hearts are blocked, so you will need another entry to dummy — a diamond ruff. Win the C A, cash the H K and D A, then ruff the D K, etc.

Ironically, if your D K were a small diamond, this hand would be a lot easier. The aversion to ruffing a winner clouds the picture.

2. 5 D by South

S 10 5
H Q 2
D A J 10 7
C A K 10 7 5
Lead: H A[W - E]East plays H 9
S K J 6
H —
D K Q 9 8 5 4 2
C 8 6 2


Answer

What could go wrong here? Well, if you play clubs in routine fashion you are likely to lose a club trick to East; then a spade return will defeat you if the A-Q are wrong or you misguess.

You must keep East off lead! The clever play is to discard a club on the opening lead. In effect you lose a heart instead of a club. Now, with a 3-2 club break you can establish that suit with one ruff and discard two spades on the good clubs.

If the clubs happen to break 4-1, you will still succeed if the spades are friendly.

3. 6 H by South

S 4 3 2
H 9 8 7 6
D A 8 7 6
C 3 2
Lead: S J[W - E]East plays S 8
S A
H A Q J 10
D K Q J 5
C A K Q 7


Answer

Assuming one trump loser, you have 11 sure tricks and the 12th must come from a ruff. The danger here is a 4-1 trump break, in which case it will be difficult to make your ruff and still keep trump control.

The secret is to lead the H Q from your hand; and if it holds, continue with the jack. If it loses and a heart is returned, you can ruff a club and return to hand with a diamond to draw the last trump.

It is essential not to play the H A on the first or second round. Give West H K-x-x-x to see how he can foil any attempt this way.

Quiz 7J06

Why Didn’t I Think of That?


Each of these contracts would usually fail because most declarers fail to see the problem and don’t plan ahead. Being forewarned, can you spot the elegant solutions?

1. 4 H by South

S 2
H Q 8 7
D A K Q J
C 7 6 5 4 2
Lead: S K[W - E]Trumps split 4-2
S A 4 3
H K J 10 9
D 10 7 3
C A Q 3


Answer

It looks routine to win the S A and ruff a spade, but this is a shortsighted plan. Even though you are able to ruff both spades, the opponents will force you to lose trump control by leading a fourth spade when they win the H A.

The elegant solution is to duck the opening lead. If another spade is led you will ruff in dummy and lead trumps to force out the ace. Retaining the S A prevents the opponents from making you ruff in your hand, and 10 tricks are easily won.

West held:
S K-Q-10-5 H 4-3 D 9-8-5-2 C K-J-8

2. 4 S by South

S 4 3 2
H 8 4 3
D A K 6
C 5 4 3 2
Lead: S J[W - E]Trumps split 3-2
S A K 7 6 5
H A K
D 5 4 3 2
C K Q


Answer

You would like to win a trick with your fourth diamond, which will be easy if diamonds are 3-3. More likely, they will be 4-2 and you will need to ruff a diamond in dummy, which requires exact technique.

After winning the S A, the elegant solution is to duck a diamond immediately. Whatever the return, you will cash the S K, win the top diamonds, return to your hand with a heart, and ruff your last diamond. If you played diamonds any other way, you would fail. Try it.

West held:
S J-10 H Q-9-7-5-2 D 10-7 C A-J-9-6

3. 6 S by South

S A 3 2
H K 6 5 4 3
D 10 5 4
C 7 6
Lead: H 2[W - E]East plays H 9; trumps split 3-2
S K Q J 10 9
H A Q 8 7
D A J 2
C A


Answer

It looks like 12 easy tricks, but the heart suit is blocked. If you draw trumps and cash the top hearts, you will have the H 8 opposite the 6-5 and never enjoy the long heart. It would not help to duck a heart because you need five heart tricks.

The elegant solution is to win the H A, cash the S K-Q and the C A. Cross to the S A (drawing their last trump) then lead a club and discard a heart. Now the remaining hearts can be run, and both of your losing diamonds go away. Neat!

West held:
S 8-7-5 H 2 D Q-9-6-3 C K-J-9-4-2

Quiz 7J10

Six Chances


I will be generous this time and offer you six chances — two for each of these three contracts. As South, can you find the play that gives you both chances to succeed?

1. 4 H by South

S 4 3
H A Q 8
D A K J 3
C 9 7 6 4
Lead: S Q[W - E]Trumps split 3-2
S A K
H K J 10 9 7
D 5 4 2
C 8 5 2


Answer

You have 9 sure tricks and your chances are (1) a 3-3 club break, or (2) the diamond finesse. You must try the clubs first because the opponents cannot set you. Note that if you finesse the diamond first and it loses, you could be set immediately with a club switch.

Delay drawing trumps and lead a club immediately. Assume a spade return; lead a second club; assume a heart return, and lead a third club. If the C 9 is not good, you will fall back on the diamond finesse after drawing trumps.

West held:
S Q-J-10-2 H 6-5-4 D 10-7-6 C K-10-3

2. 5 D by South

S 5 4 3
H A K 3 2
D Q J 4
C A 5 4
Lead: S K-A[W - E]Trumps split 2-2
S 2
H Q 10
D A K 10 9 8 7
C Q 6 3 2


Answer

You have 10 sure tricks and your chances are (1) the C K in East, or (2) the H J in East. It is important to try the clubs first, and you must do so without releasing the C A; else you could be set immediately if the C Q lost to West.

After ruffing the second spade, win the D K and D Q to draw the enemy trumps. Next lead a low club to your queen, which loses to West and he returns a club (best) taken by dummy’s ace. Now your last hope is the heart finesse, so lead the H 2 and finesse the 10.

West held:
S A-K-9-6 H 9-8-5-4 D 6-3 C K-9-7

3. 6 S by South

S K 4 3
H A K 4 3 2
D 2
C A J 5 4
Lead: D Q[W - E]Trumps split 3-1
S A 9 8 7 6 2
H —
D A K
C K 7 6 3 2


Answer

You have 11 sure tricks and your chances are (1) a 4-4 heart break, or (2) the C Q falling. The clubs can wait so you should concentrate on establishing the long heart.

Win the D A and cash two top trumps ending in dummy to reveal that West has a natural trump trick. Next cash the top hearts (throwing two clubs) and ruff a heart. Now the key play: Lead the D K and ruff it in dummy to gain an entry to ruff another heart. Dummy’s last heart becomes good and you don’t need to worry about the clubs.

West held:
S Q-J-5 H Q-10-8-5 D Q-J-9-7-4 C 10

Copyright © 2000 Richard Pavlicek. All rights reserved.