Study 9H01 Main

Throw-In

by Richard Pavlicek

A throw-in is the concession of a trick, usually deliberate, for strategic gain. Typically the opponent thrown in is forced to lead from an honor at the cost of a trick, or provide an entry that you lack to the hand opposite. This category includes plain throw-ins only; no squeeze element exists (except the unique one-suit squeeze) and no trump suit is involved.

1.  Establishment or stepping-stone

NT win 1/2	3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	A		1. S	2!
	—
	—
A J		Q
—		K
—		—
—		—
	K 2
	—
	—
South leads	—

2.  Finesse throw-in

NT win 2/3	A J 10		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	2	6	10!	Q
	—
	—
8 7 6		K Q 9
—		—
—		—
—		—
	4 3 2
	—
	—
South leads	—

3.  Forced duck finesse throw-in

NT win 3/4	3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	Q 3		1. S	K!	10	3	A
	—		2. E	4	2	J	Q
	—		3. N	2	J	Q
10 9		K J
J 10		A 4
—		—
—		—
	A Q
	K 2
	—
South leads	—

4.  Strip finesse throw-in

NT win 2/4	K 10 5		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	2		1. S	A!	4	2	3
	—		2. S	2	8	10!	J
	—
Q 9 8		A J 7
4		3
—		—
—		—
	4 3 2
	A
	—
South leads	—

Any throw-in may require strip maneuver prior.

5.  Duck strip finesse throw-in

NT win 3/5	4 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	K 4 3		1. S	2!	J	3	9
	—		2. W	K	4	10	A
	—		3. S	2	7	K	A
K Q J		10 9	4. E	9	10
8 7		A J 9
—		—
—		—
	A 2
	Q 10 2
	—
South leads	—

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Top Throw-In

6.  Duck strip combined finesse throw-in

NT win 3/5	5 4		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto? bi	A J 10		1. S	2!	10	4	J
	—		2. E	9	A	Q	5
	—		3. S	2
K Q 10		J 9
Q 4		K 9 8
—		—
—		—
	A 3 2
	3 2
	—
South leads	—

7.  Deep finesse throw-in

NT win 2/3	A Q 9		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto	—		1. S	2	6	9!	10
	—
	—
J 7 6		K 10 8
—		—
—		—
—		—
	4 3 2
	—
	—
South leads	—

8.  Duck throw-in

NT win 2/3	A Q 5		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	2	9	5!	10
	—
	—
9 8 7		K J 10
—		—
—		—
—		—
	4 3 2
	—
	—
South leads	—

9.  Repeat duck throw-in

NT win 2/4	A 10 5 4		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	—		1. S	2	K	4!	7
	—		2. W	Q	5!	8	3
	—		3. W	9	10
K Q J 9		8 7
—		A K
—		—
—		—
	3 2
	3 2
	—
South leads	—

10.  Unblock duck throw-in

NT win 2/4	K 9 4 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	Q!	A	3	6
	—		2. W	J	4!	7	2
	—
A J 10 8		7 6
—		A K
—		—
—		—
	Q 2
	3 2
	—
South leads	—

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Top Throw-In

11.  High throw-in

NT win 1/3	Q 9 4		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto? bi	—		1. S	2	6	Q!	K
	—
	—
A 7 6		K 10 8
—		—
—		—
—		—
	J 3 2
	—
	—
South leads	—

12.  Duck double throw-in

NT win 2/3	A 10 4		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto? bi	—		1. S	2	7	4!
	—
	—
K 8 7		J 9 6
—		—
—		—
—		—
	Q 3 2
	—
	—
South leads	—

13.  Middle duck throw-in

NT win 1/3	10 4 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	8!	9	3!
	—
	—
A 9 6		Q J 7
—		—
—		—
—		—
	K 8 2
	—
	—
South leads	—

14.  Overtake throw-in

NT win 2/3	A Q 9		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	J	7	Q!	K
	—
	—
7		K 10 8
A K		—
—		—
—		—
	J
	3 2
	—
South leads	—

With North on lead would be “undertake” throw-in.

15.  Unblock throw-in

NT win 2/3	Q 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	2		1. S	2	K	Q!	4
	—
	—
K J 9		5 4
—		A
—		—
—		—
	A 10 2
	—
	—
South leads	—

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16.  Squash throw-in

NT win 2/3	4 3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	Q!	K	2	10
	—
	—
K J 8		10
—		A K
—		—
—		—
	A Q 9
	—
	—
South leads	—

17.  Repeat throw-in

NT win 3/5	A J 10 8 6		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	2	4	J!	Q
	—		2. E	5	3	J	6
	—		3. N	8!	9	2	Q
4		K Q 9 7 5
A K Q J		—
—		—
—		—
	3 2
	4 3 2
	—
South leads	—

18.  Two-suit throw-in

NT win 2/3	A Q		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	2		1. S	3!	4	2	A
	—
	—
10 9		K J
4		A
—		—
—		—
	3 2
	3
	—
South leads	—

19.  Preparatory finesse two-suit throw-in

NT win 3/4	A 9 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	3		1. S	Q!	K	A	4
	—		2. N	3!	K	2	A
	—
K 8 6		10 5 4
A		K
—		—
—		—
	Q J 7
	2
	—
South leads	—

Works equally well with A and K switched.

20.  Suit freeze throw-in

NT win 3/5	K 3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
not?	3 2		1. W	Q?	2!	5	A
	—		2. S	Q!
	—
Q J 7		9 6 5
A 4		K 5
—		—
—		—
	A 10 8
	Q J
	—
West leads	—

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Top Throw-In

21.  Secondary suit freeze throw-in

NT win 3/5	Q 9 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	3 2		1. W	10	Q!	A	6
	—		2. E	K	A	5	2
	—		3. S	4
10 8 4		A J 3
Q 5		K 6
—		—
—		—
	K 7 6
	A 4
	—
West leads	—

22.  Either-or finesse throw-in

NT win 3/4	A 9 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	—		1. S	Q!	5	3	7
	K		2. S	K!	A	K	8
	—
K 6 5		10 8 7
A		—
—		A
—		—
	Q J 2
	K
	—
South leads	—

If West covers Q, East is thrown in with K.

23.  Transfer throw-in

NT win 3/4	A 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	A 3		1. S	Q!	K	A	10
	—		2. N	3	J	2	9
	—
K 9		J 10
10 9		K J
—		—
—		—
	Q 2
	Q 2
	—
South leads	—

24.  Double throw-in

NT win 2/3	Q 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	3		1. S	2!	A
	—
	—
J 9		K 8
A		K
—		—
—		—
	A 10
	2
	—
South leads	—

Works equally well with A and K switched.

25.  Sequential throw-in

NT win 2/4	Q 10 5 4		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto	—		1. S	K!	A	4	2
	—		2. W	9	10	J	2!
	—
9 8 7		K J 6
A		2
—		—
—		—
	A 3 2
	K
	—
South leads	—

Play based on assumption that East has K.

Study 9H01 Main

Top Throw-In

26.  Repeat throw-in

NT win 3/5	A Q 10 8		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	2		1. S	K!	3	2	A
	—		2. E	7	2	6	8
	—		3. N	Q!	K	3	4
6		K J 9 7
6 5 4 3		A
—		—
—		—
	5 4 3 2
	K
	—
South leads	—

27.  Winkle throw-in

NT win 2/3	K 10 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	2!	Q	3!
	—
	—
Q		A J 9
K J		—
—		—
—		—
	2
	A Q
	—
South leads	—

28.  Decision throw-in

NT win 2/3	A 10 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	Q!	4	3	K
	—
	—
5 4		K J 9
A		—
—		—
—		—
	Q 2
	K
	—
South leads	—

If you thought West had K, lead K instead.

29.  Penultimate throw-in

NT win 4/5	Q 4		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	A K 3		1. S	2!	4	K	8
	—		2. N	3!	9	J	Q
	—
K J 10		6 5
Q 4		10 9 8
—		—
—		—
	A 3 2
	J 2
	—
South leads	—

If West unblocks, win J then lead a low spade.

30.  Jettison throw-in

NT win 2/3	A		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto	—		1. S	2	9	A!	A
	3 2
	—
9		Q 10
—		A
A K		—
—		—
	K J
	2
	—
South leads	—

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31.  Establishment jettison throw-in

NT win 3/4	A		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto	—		1. S	K	2	A!	A
	4 3 2
	—
2		Q 10 9
—		A
A K Q		—
—		—
	K J
	K Q
	—
South leads	—

32.  Establishment repeat jettison throw-in

NT win 3/5	—		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto	K Q		1. S	A	Q	Q!	J
	K 3 2		2. S	J	K	K!
	—
K Q		—
A 10 9		4 3
—		A Q J
—		—
	A J 10
	J 2
	—
South leads	—

33.  Entry duck throw-in

NT win 2/5	Q 3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	K 2		1. S	4!	Q	2!	10
	—		2. W	J	2	7	K
	—		3. S	3!
J 10 9		A 8 7
Q J		A 10
—		—
—		—
	K 5 4
	4 3
	—
South leads	—

34.  Entry or tempo gain throw-in

NT win 4/6	Q 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	3 2		1. S	K!	4	3	J
	Q J		2. S	A	8	J	7
	—		3. S	2	9	Q	K
4		A J
K Q J		5 4
9 8		K 7
—		—
	K 2
	A
	A 10 2
South leads	—

35.  Establishment or stepping-stone

NT win 4/5	A 10 9 8 7		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	J!	3	7	5
	—		2. S	K	4	8	6
	—		3. S	A	9	9	Q
4 3		Q 6 5	4. S	2
J 10 9		K Q
—		—
—		—
	K J
	A 3 2
	—
South leads	—

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36.  Establishment or winkle

NT win 4/5	A 10 9 8 7		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	J!	2	7	4
	—		2. S	K	3	8	5
	—		3. S	2!
3 2		Q 6 5 4
K Q 9		J
—		—
—		—
	K J
	A 10 2
	—
South leads	—

Also works with spades 3-3 (then hearts 2-2).

37.  Forced stepping-stone

NT win 2/3	Q 4		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	A		1. S	K!
	—
	—
J 10 9		A 5
—		2
—		—
—		—
	K 3 2
	—
	—
South leads	—

38.  Blocked stepping-stone

NT win 1/3	4 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	A		1. S	K!	A	3	8
	—
	—
A Q 9		J 8
—		2
—		—
—		—
	K 10 2
	—
	—
South leads	—

39.  One-suit squeeze throw-in

NT win 2/4	K 9 5		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	A!	3	2	J
	—		2. S	2	10	K!	A
	2
10 7 6		A Q J 8
—		—
—		—
3		—
	4 3 2
	—
	—
South leads	A

40.  One-suit squeeze double throw-in

NT win 2/4	A Q 8		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. S	3!	A	2	7
	—		2. W	9	8!	10	2
	2
9 6 5		K J 10 7
—		—
—		—
A		—
	4 3 2
	—
	—
South leads	3

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41.  One-suit squeeze block throw-in

NT win 2/4	3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto re	A		1. S	A!	J	2	2
	—		2. S	K!
	2
A Q J 8		10 7
—		3 2
—		—
—		—
	K 9 4
	—
	—
South leads	A

42.  Throw-in or strip stepping-stone

NT win 3/4	Q 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	2		1. S	A!	10	2	J
	A		2. S	A!	J	3	4
	—		3. S	3
K J		4
Q 10		K J
—		2
—		—
	A 2
	A 3
	—
South leads	—

If East unblocks K West is thrown in at Trick 2.

43.  Finesse-duck throw-in or throw-in

NT win 3/5	A J 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto	K 5		1. S	A!
	—
	—
K Q 10		—
—		A Q J
K 3		Q 4
—		—
	4
	3 2
	A J
South leads	—

Auto status presumes you know spade/heart layout.

44.  Establishment or double throw-in

NT win 4/5	A Q J 10		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	2		1. S	2	6	Q	4
	—		2. N	2	K	A	3
	—		3. S	10!
6		K 5 4
Q 5 4 3		K J
—		—
—		—
	3 2
	A 10 9
	—
South leads	—

45.  Exit retention duck double throw-in

NT win 2/5	K 4		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	J 7 2		1. S	2!	J	4!	10
	—		2. W	10	J	Q	A
	—		3. S	3!
Q J		A 10
K 10 6		Q 8 4
—		—
—		—
	3 2
	A 9 3
	—
South leads	—

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46.  Sequential three-suit throw-in

NT win 3/5	A 3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	2		1. S	K!	3	2	A
	2		2. E	6	9	4	2
	—		3. S	K!	A	2	7
K 5 4		J 8 7 6
3		A
A		—
—		—
	Q 10 9
	K
	K
South leads	—

Note that leading K first fails.

47.  Tempo duck one-suit squeeze throw-in

NT win 2/5	6 5 4 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	2		1. S	3!	10	2	7
	—		2. W	K	3	J	A
	—		3. S	K!
10		A Q J 8 7
K Q J 10		—
—		—
—		—
	K 9 2
	A 3
	—
South leads	—

48.  Entry, stepping-stone or throw-in

NT win 4/5	J 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	A K Q		1. S	Q!	4	3	10
	—		2. S	A!	5	J	K
	—		3. S	2!
8 6 5 4		K 10 2
—		3 2
A		—
—		—
	A Q 9 7
	—
	2
South leads	—

49.  Repeat unblock double throw-in

NT win 3/5	10 9 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto	K 3		1. S	A!	2	9!	9
	—		2. S	2!	Q	10!	J
	—		3. W	Q	3!
K Q 7		J
Q		A J 10 9
2		—
—		—
	A 8 2
	2
	A
South leads	—

50.  Penultimate throw-in anti one-suit squeeze

NT win 4/5	A Q J 8		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	2		1. S	J!	3	2	Q
	—
	—
7 6 5 4 3		K 9 2
—		K Q
—		—
—		—
	10
	A J 10 9
	—
South leads	—

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51.  Repeat jettison throw-in

NT win 4/5	K 3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	A		1. S	A	2	A!	3
	—		2. S	Q	K	A!	Q
	A
—		A Q
9 8 7		Q 6
2		3
K		—
	—
	K J 10
	A
South leads	Q

52.  Winkle jettison throw-in

NT win 2/4	K 3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
	—		1. S	2	A	A!	K
	A		2. W	K	2	J	2
	—
—		A Q J
A J 9		K
K		—
—		—
	—
	Q 10 2
	2
South leads	—

If West plays 9 or J North keeps A.

53.  Gambit unblock throw-in

NT win 4/5	K 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	—		1. S	A	J	K!	10
	4 3 2		2. S	3	Q	2	K
	—
Q J		10
9 8 7		K J
—		A K
—		—
	A 3
	A Q 10
	—
South leads	—

Anti throw-in

54.  Duck anti throw-in

NT win 2/3	9 4 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	—		1. W	7	3	Q	2!
	—
	—
10 8 7		K Q 6
—		—
—		—
—		—
	A J 2
	—
	—
West leads	—

55.  Second-hand high anti throw-in

NT win all	J 3 2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	—		1. W	7	J!
	—
	—
9 8 7		K 5 4
—		—
—		—
—		—
	A Q 10
	—
	—
West leads	—

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56.  Second-hand middle anti throw-in

NT win all	Q 9 6		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	—		1. W	2	9!
	—
	—
10 3 2		K 5 4
—		—
—		—
—		—
	A J 8
	—
	—
West leads	—

Queen necessary if South had A-J-10 but unlikely.

57.  Unblock anti throw-in

NT win 3/4	Q 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	3 2		1. W	J	3	A	K!
	—
	—
J 10		A 9
5 4		K 7
—		—
—		—
	K 2
	A Q
	—
West leads	—

58.  Crocodile anti throw-in

NT win 3/5	Q J		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto bi	K J 4		1. W	7	Q	A	2
	—		2. E	5	K!
	—
9 8 7		A 6 5
Q 6		A 5
—		—
—		—
	K 10 2
	3 2
	—
West leads	—

Assumes West is dummy to be meaningful.

59.  Anti finesse exit anti throw-in

NT win 2/4	2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto? bi	J 4 3		1. W	4	2	3	A
	—		2. S	Q!
	—
4		3
A 10 8		K 7 6
—		—
—		—
	A
	Q 9 2
	—
West leads	—

60.  Unblock gambit anti throw-in

NT win 3/5	5 4 3		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	3 2		1. W	Q	3	A	K!
	—		2. E	9	2	J	4
	—
Q J		A 10 9
6 5 4		K 7
—		—
—		—
	K 2
	A Q J
	—
West leads	—

Study 9H01 Main

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61.  Exit retention anti throw-in

NT win 2/5	2		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
bi	K J		1. S	7!	3	2	10
	A K		2. E	A	8	J	K
	—		3. E	Q	K	Q	A
3		A Q J 10	4. S	2
A Q		3
Q J		—
—		—
	K 9 8 7
	2
	—
South leads	—

62.  Duck gambit anti entry throw-in

NT win 3/5	K Q 6 5 4		Trick	Lead	2nd	3rd	4th
auto	—		1. W	J	4!	8	2
	—
	—
A J 7		10 9 8
K 2		4 3
—		—
—		—
	3 2
	A Q J
	—
West leads	—

Study 9H01 Main

Top Throw-In

© 2014 Richard Pavlicek