Problem Collection 7A55 by Richard Pavlicek

Mixed Play Workout

This collection contains 30 declarer play problems at notrump or 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!

Quiz 7H14

Nine Finesses!

As South, you are declarer in the contracts shown. Each deal contains three finesses and your mission (should you accept) is to decide which finesses to take and which one to take first.

1. 4 by South

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

Answer

Take all three finesses! You can finesse for the king in each side suit, and your contract will succeed (barring an unlikely ruff) if any finesse works. Since the lead is a club, you should play the

Q at trick one. Later you will try the spade and diamond finesses the first time either suit is led.

Note that you will win anywhere from 9 to 12 tricks depending on how many finesses work. You will be set only if they all lose, which makes you a strong favorite (7 to 1 odds if you’re a mathematician).

2. 4 by South

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

Answer

Take only the diamond finesse, as it is the only one likely to secure your contract. (The heart and spade finesses, even if they both work, will leave you still needing the diamond finesse.)

Win the A, lead the J and let it ride if not covered. Repeat the finesse and cash the A to discard a club from dummy. Then exit with a club. If East wins and leads a trump, do not finesse; win the K and lead another club. You will either establish the long clubs or develop a crossruff.

3. 6 NT by South

A K Q J
K J 2
J 10 9 2
10 9
Lead: 10 [W - E]
4 3 2
A 3
A K 8 7
A Q J 3

Answer

Take the club finesse first. If it wins take it again and, assuming it works the second time, you can now switch to diamonds to ensure your contract (take the diamond finesse for an overtrick.)

If the club finesse loses, you then have 11 tricks and need one more in diamonds or hearts. You cannot try both finesses since you cannot afford to lose the lead. You should combine your chances: Cash the top diamonds to see if the queen drops; if not you will eventually try the heart finesse.

Quiz 7H17

100-Percent Guarantee

As South, how do you play each of the following hands to guarantee making your contract. Forget about overtricks; assume your “life is on the line” to make your bid.

1. 3 NT by South

K Q 4 3
K 7 2
A 9 6 2
K 4
Lead: 3 [W - E]
5 2
A Q 4
K J 4 3
A J 7 2

Answer

You have seven top tricks and can guarantee one extra trick in diamonds with proper technique and another later in spades.

The key play is to cash the K then lead the 3 toward dummy. If West follows low both times, finesse the nine (if this loses to the 10, the Q must fall later). If West shows out on the second diamond lead, win the ace then lead toward your jack. This is called a “safety play” as it will succeed against any distribution, though it sometimes may cost an overtrick.

2. 4 by South

J 8 2
Q J 10 7 6
K Q 4
A Q
Lead: 10 [W - E]
Q 7 4
A K 8 5 2
A 7 2
4 3

Answer

You have nine top tricks and need one more in clubs or spades. Rather than rely on a finesse, there is a surefire endplay.

Draw trumps and cash all of the remaining diamond winners. Next win the A (key play) and exit with a club. Whoever wins must break the spade suit (else give you a ruff and a discard) and you are sure to win a 10th trick.

Note that if you finessed the Q and it lost, East would return a club; then you would have to lead spades yourself and probably fail.

3. 6 NT by South

A K 7
3 2
J 10 9 8 4 3
4 3
Lead: J [W - E]
Q 3
A K 4
A Q
A K J 10 9 5

Answer

You have eight top tricks. If you win the

Q and lead the

A and

Q, whoever has the king may hold up; then you cannot set up the suit. If you then go after clubs, you may lose to the

Q and

The key play is to lead the Q without cashing the ace. If it wins you have nine tricks and you can switch to clubs for three more.

What if someone takes the K and returns a spade? No problem! Cash the third spade and discard the A — a jettison play — then run the diamonds.

Quiz 7H38

Clever Plays

Each of the following contracts requires a clever or tricky play to succeed. An expert would find them at the table. Can you? (Assume you are playing IMPs)

1. 4 by South

K Q J 2
Q J 9 2
3 2
A 8 4
Lead: 10 [W - E]
3
A K 10 8 6 4
K 4
Q J 10 9

Answer

You could predict the play here: East will win the first trick and lead a diamond. If the

A is wrong, you will lose the first three tricks and you’ll still need the club finesse. Need I tell you that it loses?

The solution is to duck the first trick to keep the dangerous hand off lead. If West holds the lead, he cannot hurt you, and your contract is assured on the bridge certainty that East holds the A. If East overtakes to lead a diamond, this sets up three discards and you won’t need the club finesse.

2. 3 NT by South

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

Answer

If the diamond finesse loses, your contract rates to fail if West shifts to a spade. He will surely do this when he realizes you have at least two heart stoppers. Your goal is to persuade him otherwise.

The key play is to capture East’s J with your ace! Cross to dummy with a club and lead the Q. If it loses, West would have to be clairvoyant not to think his partner held the Q — remember, the jack forced your ace. He will surely lead another heart and… Get that smirk off your face!

3. 6 by South

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

Answer

You have plenty of winners, but West’s lead is ominous — it might be a singleton, or East might have a singleton club. It would be no great surprise to suffer a club ruff when you force out the

But there’s a way around: Win the Q in dummy, then cash the A-K to throw away your A-K — isn’t that poetic? Now, do not lead trumps. Cash the A-K and play the rest as a crossruff. Since your trumps are all equals (down to the five-spot), the only trick the opponents can win is the A.

Quiz 7H41

Which Finesse?

Each contract below has several finessing opportunities, but only one is correct on each hand. Are you up to the task? (Assume you are playing IMPs)

1. 3 NT by South

K J 4
K Q 5 4 3
4 3
A Q 3
Lead: 10 [W - E]
A Q 3 2
A 10
K J
J 10 8 5 4

Answer

You have 8 top tricks, and the club suit offers great potential for more. But there is a danger ahead: If the club finesse loses, you can be sure a diamond will be returned; then if the A-Q are wrong (or you misguess), you are history.

Instead you should look for a safer line of play. Win the J in dummy, lead a heart and finesse the 10. If this wins, great. If it loses, your K-J will be protected and the long heart in dummy will almost surely be good as your ninth trick.

2. 3 NT by South

A 4
A Q 10 2
K J 10 3 2
3 2
Lead: 7 [W - E]
K J 10 3 2
J 9 4
A 5 4
A 4

Answer

You have 6 top tricks, and no less than three opportunities for 3 more. That’s the good news. The bad news is that you have only one club stopper; if you take just one losing finesse, the opponents will set you.

You should try to combine your chances. First cash the A-K to see if the queen drops. No luck? Then cash the A-K to try to drop that queen. Still nothing? As a last resort you will fall back on the heart finesse by leading the 9 and letting it ride.

3. 6 by South

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

Answer

A successful diamond finesse would see you home, but there are other things to consider. Note that a successful spade finesse would let you discard all your hearts. Or maybe a club finesse? If only you knew which finesse will work.

Ah, but you don’t know. The best way to combine your chances is to first cash the A. There is a decent chance the king will drop. If not, take your second chance by leading a spade and finessing the jack. (You may want to close your eyes for that one.)

Quiz 7J14

Free Finesses

Happiness is getting a “free finesse” on the opening lead. Or is it? How would you play to make each of these contracts? (Do not be concerned about overtricks.)

1. 3 NT by South

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

Answer

What a lucky lead! A free finesse into your waiting jaws. Yet, if you accept that finesse, you will be defeated. You must preserve a sure entry to dummy’s long diamonds.

Play the 2 from dummy and win the king. Lead the Q which holds, then the J and overtake with the king to continue diamonds until the ace is taken. Assuming a club return (best), win the king and lead the Q which must hold (else the K is an entry). Next lead a low spade to concede a trick to the Q and create an entry to dummy.

West held:
Q-8-7-6-3 10-8-3 7-2 Q-7-5

2. 4 by South

A J 10 9
J 4
8
A J 10 5 4 3
Lead: 9 [W - E] Trumps split 3-1
K Q 8 7 6
7 6
K 7 6 4
K 2

Answer

How sweet! The lead gives you a free finesse for the

Q simply by playing the 10 (or jack). Beware! That lead has “singleton” written all over it. If you cover in dummy, East will play low and the club suit will be blocked, leaving you no way to succeed. Try it and you will see.

The solution is to play low from dummy and win the king. Draw trumps in three rounds, then lead a club to the ace. When West shows out you have a guaranteed ruffing finesse, and the club suit is easily established.

West held:
5-4-3 K-10-9-3-2 A-J-9-3 9

3. 6 NT by South

A K Q 5 2
K 3
3 2
A K 6 3
Lead: 10 [W - E]
4 3
A J 5
A Q J 10 9
J 4 2

Answer

Again you are blessed with a free finesse but must refuse it, this time to preserve a key entry to your hand. If you accept the finesse, East will play the queen; then when you work on diamonds, West will hold up his king and your hand will be dead. Don’t accept the Trojan horse!

Win the K and take a diamond finesse which wins (West is tricky). Cross to dummy with a spade and repeat the diamond finesse, which loses. Now you have three chances to succeed — Q falling, spades 3-3 or the heart finesse.

West held:
J-9-8-7 10-9-8-4 K-7-4 10-7

Quiz 7J18

Suit Establishment

For each of these contracts the key to success is choosing to establish the right suit, and going about it the right way. Are you up to the task?

1. 4 by South

2
K 7 6 5 4
K 2
Q 9 6 4 3
Lead: J [W - E]
J 8 5 4 3
A Q J 2
A 8 3
2

Answer

A crossruff will fail because you must lose the lead twice (in clubs and spades) and the enemy will lead trumps each time. You must choose between setting up dummy’s club suit or your own spade suit.

You should pick spades because your hand has more trump entries. Win the K and give up a spade. Assume a trump return (best); win in hand; ruff a spade and concede a club. Win the trump return in hand; spade ruff; diamond ace; spade ruff; club ruff; draw the last trump and your last spade is good.

West held:
K-9-6 10 J-10-9-6-5 A-10-7-5

2. 3 NT by South

A 10 9 8 7
10 9
A 8 6 5 3
K
Lead: J [W - E]
K
A K 6 4 2
K 2
A 7 6 3 2

Answer

Wow! Four suits to choose from! You have eight top tricks and need to establish the long card in some suit. But which one? Spades seems best because of the solid spot cards, but limited entries prevent you from doing it routinely. Try it.

But wait! What you need is a total of three spade tricks, and this can be guaranteed by overtaking the king with the ace. Win the opening lead in hand; K to the ace; concede a spade to somebody; then the K and A provide adequate entries to finish the job.

West held:
J-4-3-2 Q-8-7-3 J-10 J-9-4

3. 6 by South

5 3 2
A 3 2
A 7 6 5 3
K 8
Lead: J [W - E]
A K Q 7 6
K 7 6 5
2
A 4 3

Answer

Assuming a 3-2 trump break and a club ruff in dummy, you have 11 easy tricks. The 12th trick will have to come from your long heart which requires a 3-3 break, or dummy’s long diamond which requires a 4-3 break. The latter chance is better, but you must play carefully.

Win the A, cash one trump and duck a diamond (you cannot afford to ruff three diamonds). Assume a heart return (best); win in hand and cash a second trump; club to king; diamond ruff; club ruff; diamond ruff; draw the last trump.

West held:
J-9-4 Q-10-9-4 Q-10-8 J-10-9

Quiz 7J22

Moysian Mania

A “Moysian” trump fit (named after Alphonse Moyse, Jr., who wrote extensively on the subject) consists of four trumps opposite three — one less than the normal requisite. These contracts are often treacherous and require careful play. Test your skill on these deals.

1. 3 by South

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

Answer

Luckily, you averted a trump lead and are in great shape to secure nine tricks. It looks easy enough to cash the

K-Q, cross to your hand with a trump, then continue diamonds. Well, not quite; you would never be able to score the

A and fail.

The presence of the Q may have blinded you. The proper play is to overtake the second diamond with the ace, and ruff two diamonds in dummy with the K-J of spades. This ensures the contract (barring a singleton diamond).

West held:
5 K-9-4-2 J-9-8-5-4 K-Q-J

2. 4 by South

A 6 4
7 3 2
Q 9 5 4
A K 5
Lead: K [W - E]
K Q J 2
—
A 7 6 2
Q J 6 4 3

Answer

You have 10 tricks (four spades, five clubs and a diamond) barring horrible breaks, but the heart lead threatens to shorten your trumps. Once you ruff you will be dependent on a 3-3 trump break, which is well against the odds.

The solution? Don’t ruff! Simply discard diamonds on the first three heart leads (you would likely lose those tricks later anyway). The opponents cannot benefit by leading a fourth heart since dummy can ruff, and you will take the rest.

West held:
9-8-7-3 A-K-10-9-4 10-3 9-2

3. 6 by South

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

Answer

Please don’t ask how you reached this contract, but it’s actually pretty good. You have 11 top tricks (three spades, four hearts, two diamonds and two clubs) and a club ruff will make it 12 provided you can keep control and draw trumps.

Win the A and ruff a club with the queen of spades. Next lead the A and another spade to drive out the king. Whatever the return, you can draw trumps and claim. Note the importance of saving the K and ruffing the club high.

West held:
7-2 9-8-7-2 J-9 Q-J-10-4-2

Quiz 7J30

Clubhouse Treats

Nobody plays with clubs trump anymore, or so it seems. I say we stop this discrimination with an ERAFC (Equal Rights Amendment For Clubs). Meanwhile, can you make these contracts?

1. 5 by South

Q
K 10 9
K 8 4 3
9 8 7 5 4
Lead: Q [W - E]
K 6 5 3
2
A Q 6 5
A K Q 3

Answer

Yes, 3 NT would be better, but it’s too late for that. Your task is to win 11 tricks in clubs, which is easy if you make the key play at trick one. Do not cover the

Q. If you covered, East would win the

A and return a heart to make you ruff. Then, with clubs 3-1, you could not avoid losing a second heart (or a trump if you ruffed two hearts).

Note the difference if you play low. If West leads another heart, it establishes a trick in dummy (you will finesse the 10), after which you have no problems.

West held:
J-9-4-2 Q-J-8-3 J-7 J-10-6

2. 5 by South

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

Answer

This looks too easy, which should be an omen. Remember Murphy’s Law? If something can go wrong, it will go wrong. West’s lead appears to be innocuous, but in fact it poses a grave danger. It is a singleton, and with routine play you would suffer a diamond ruff and fail.

The only way to succeed is to win the Q in dummy, then cash the A-K to discard both of your top diamonds. How’s that for wasting honors! The rest of the play is easy, as you will lose only the A and a spade trick.

West held:
K-J-10-7 Q-9-6-5-4-3 10 3-2

3. 5 by South

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

Answer

There are two potential lines of play: (1) establish the diamond suit, or (2) crossruff. You may fail with Line 1 if you ruff and shorten your trumps, and with Line 2 you will have to give up a spade, then a trump lead will be fatal.

The solution is to postpone your decision. Discard a spade on the second heart. If hearts are continued, you have a complete crossruff. If West shifts to a trump, win the 8; A; diamond ruff; A; diamond ruff with A; club to hand to draw trumps and claim.

West held:
J-10-9-2 A-K-7-2 Q-10-9-2 3

Quiz 7J34

Frosty, the Notrump

Frosty, the Notrump, was a jolly, happy soul. Brrr! Each of these 3 NT contracts is frosty (ice cold), but only if you can find the correct play. Are you up to the task?

1. 3 NT by South

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

Answer

With eight top tricks, you need only to establish one more in diamonds. The danger is that, if you lose a diamond trick, the opponents might be able to set you by cashing four hearts; but this is impossible if you lose the trick to West.

Win the A, cross to dummy with a club, and lead a low diamond to the eight. This insures your contract against any layout, and nets an overtrick as the cards lie. Note that if West could win the J and return a club to remove dummy’s side entry, the diamond suit would still run by leading the ace.

West held:
8-7-4 A-J-9-7 7-6 J-9-8-4

2. 3 NT by South

5
A 6 5 4
K 7 4 3
K 6 4 3
Lead: Q [W - E] East pitches 2
A K J 4
K 3 2
A J 5
A J 2

Answer

Again you have eight top tricks, and any of three finesses will give you nine; plus there’s a chance to set up the fourth club or diamond. Which to try? None of the above. The only surefire play is a throw-in against West.

Duck the first heart (optional), then win the K, K (optional) and A. Exit with dummy’s last heart to let West run his entire suit (you will lose four tricks). Your last six cards will be K-7-4 K-6-4 opposite A-J A-J A-J, and any lead by West gives you a free finesse for your ninth trick.

West held:
Q-8-7 Q-J-10-9-8-7 Q-2 Q-5

3. 3 NT by South

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

Answer

You have seven top tricks and can establish a heart for eight. If the diamonds run that makes 12. Quit dreaming! Would I really give you a 3-2 diamond break? There’s only one way to ensure nine tricks, and it requires some fancy footwork.

Win the K, then lead the Q and overtake it with the king. Cash the A to pitch your 10, then lead the 10 and pitch your A! Eventually you will reach dummy in hearts. Note that if you didn’t jettison your top spades, a spade return by East would set up West’s suit before you could reach dummy.

West held:
J-7-6-5-4 A-9-8-7 2 Q-4-2

Quiz 7J38

Finesse for a King?

Each of these slam contracts has a similar trump holding with a potential finesse for the king. As South, see if you can find the winning plays.

1. 6 by South

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

Answer

With nine cards, it is normal to finesse for a king, but you have to consider more than a single suit. Don’t miss the forest for the trees! After ruffing the club lead, if you next led a trump you would fail.

The main concern is to establish your diamond suit. Win the A and ruff a diamond (save the king for later). Next lead a low trump, willing to concede the trick to the king. Regardless of the defense, you can ruff another diamond with the ace and draw trumps; the rest of your diamonds will be good.

West held:
2 10-8-7-6 Q-10-9-2 A-K-10-8

2. 6 by South

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

Answer

Even with 10 cards, finessing for the king is the percentage play if we consider just a single suit, but once again the entire deal dictates otherwise. If you lost the spade finesse, you’d have to guess the

The best technique is to cash the A at trick two, then lead the Q (maybe West will cover) to the ace. Assume both follow and the king does not drop. Next ruff a diamond; ruff the third club and ruff dummy’s last diamond. Finally, exit with a trump, and whoever wins the trick will be endplayed.

West held:
2 7-6-5 K-J-8-7-3 Q-J-10-5

3. 6 by South

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

Answer

Your trumps are getting longer! With 11 cards you should normally play to drop a king; but strangely enough, this time you can almost insure your slam with a finesse.

Lead a club to your ace, cross in diamonds and cash the remaining clubs. Well, almost: On the last club you must ruff to reach your hand. Next, lead the Q and, if West follows low, let it ride. If East wins a blank king, he will be endplayed. If West showed out on the Q, just win A and lead another spade to effect the same endplay.

West held:
K-7 7-6-5 J-10-9-4 9-8-7-5

	3 2 10 8 4 3 2 A Q 3 A Q 5
Lead: 6
	A Q 7 5 K Q J 9 7 7 6 2 2

	J 10 9 3 A Q 8 4 J 3 6 4 2
Lead: 5
	A K 8 5 3 A Q 10 J 8 7 5 3

	A K Q J K J 2 J 10 9 2 10 9
Lead: 10
	4 3 2 A 3 A K 8 7 A Q J 3

	J 8 2 Q J 10 7 6 K Q 4 A Q
Lead: 10
	Q 7 4 A K 8 5 2 A 7 2 4 3

	A K 7 3 2 J 10 9 8 4 3 4 3
Lead: J
	Q 3 A K 4 A Q A K J 10 9 5

	K Q J 2 Q J 9 2 3 2 A 8 4
Lead: 10
	3 A K 10 8 6 4 K 4 Q J 10 9

	Q 4 3 10 9 Q J 6 2 K Q 10 9
Lead: 5		East plays J
	5 2 A Q 7 A 10 9 7 4 A J 5

	Q 8 7 5 2 A K 2 Q 7 5 4 3
Lead: J
	K J 10 9 6 5 A K J 3 — A K 2

	K J 4 K Q 5 4 3 4 3 A Q 3
Lead: 10
	A Q 3 2 A 10 K J J 10 8 5 4

	A 4 A Q 10 2 K J 10 3 2 3 2
Lead: 7
	K J 10 3 2 J 9 4 A 5 4 A 4

	A K J 3 6 5 3 9 8 7 6 5 5
Lead: J
	2 A 8 4 A Q J 10 3 A Q J 2

	J 10 2 K 2 K 10 9 8 6 4 4 3
Lead: 6		East plays 5
	A K 9 4 Q J 4 Q J A K 6 2

	A J 10 9 J 4 8 A J 10 5 4 3
Lead: 9		Trumps split 3-1
	K Q 8 7 6 7 6 K 7 6 4 K 2

	A 6 4 7 3 2 Q 9 5 4 A K 5
Lead: K
	K Q J 2 — A 7 6 2 Q J 6 4 3

	6 2 A K 2 Q 6 5 J 9 6 5 4
Lead: 10
	A 9 5 4 3 — A K 2 K Q 10 8 7

	8 7 6 4 3 5 4 3 3 A J 9 8
Lead: K-A
	A 5 J A K J 7 6 5 K Q 10 2

	6 2 6 2 A Q 10 9 2 A K 10 5
Lead: 8		East plays 3
	A K Q 5 Q 10 5 4 K 8 7 6 2

	5 A 6 5 4 K 7 4 3 K 6 4 3
Lead: Q		East pitches 2
	A K J 4 K 3 2 A J 5 A J 2

	9 8 2 K Q A K 10 9 8 4 3 3
Lead: 5		East plays Q
	A K 10 6 5 4 2 Q A K 8 7 5

	A 6 5 4 A K 5 4 4 J 7 5 4
Lead: K
	Q J 10 9 8 3 2 A K 8 7 6 5 —