#1 Two-Suiter: Solution

#1 TWO-SUITER
Dlr: North
Vul: N-S
IMPs
North
S. AJ10875
H. A4
D. 764
C. A4
South (you)
S. 4
H. KQJ32
D. 32
C. KQ765
North East South West
1S 2D 2H 3D
Pass Pass 4C Pass
4H All Pass
Opening lead: D2. East plays the ace, then the queen and then the jack of diamonds. You ruff the third
diamond low, West following with the 9 and the king. Plan the play from here.
Solution:
West must have raised on his good looks. In any case you have to bring in the clubs and still keep control
of the hand. Best is to the ace and king of clubs and ruff a low club with the HA. Return to your hand
with a trump and play the KQJ of hearts. If hearts divide 3-3, you have the rest. If hearts are 4-2, play
winning clubs and the most you can lose is two diamonds and heart. Yes, if clubs were 3-3 and hearts 4-
2, you lose an overtrick, but this is IMPs and making the contract is far more important that risking your
contract for an overtrick. (If you draw four rounds of trump before
touching clubs, you go down.)
The West hand: S.63 H. 9875 D. K92 C. J983
The East hand: S. KQ92 H. 106 D. AQJ103 C. 32
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Ruffing a loser high when dummy has honor doubleton in trump, is a good way of unblocking the trump
suit not to mention avoiding a possible overruff.
North's pass to 3D shows a minimum opening and denies three card heart support.
#2 THE RIGHT CARDS
Dlr: North
Vul: Both
Matchpoints
North
S. A7532
H. A104
D. K6
C. 1098
South (you)
S. Q9
H. KJ875
D. AQJ852
C. -
1S 2C 2D Pass
2S (1) Pass 3H Pass
4D (2) Pass 4H Pass
5H (3) Pass 6H All Pass
(1) Not the kind of suit you like to rebid, but North has no second choice.
(2) A heart raise at this point (direct raise of a second suit) shows four hearts with a likely six spades.
(3) Looks like the right hand (fitting honors in partner's long suits), facing 11 red cards.
Opening lead: C2, East plays the A. Plan the play.
Solution:
You have a spade loser and a possible heart loser, however your spade loser can be ruffed in dummy!
All you need to find is a 3-2 trump break. Ruff the opening lead, play the ace-king of hearts, and
assuming no queen has appeared and the suit did divided 3-2, start playing diamonds discarding spades
from dummy. Whether an opponent trumps in or not, you can discard four spades from dummy and
eventually ruff your SQ in dummy.
The West hand: S. KJ86 H. Q32 D. 104 C. 10752
The East hand: S. 104 H. 96 D. 973 C. AKQ654
THE BOTTOM LINE:
With high honors in partner's long suits bid aggressively.

Finesses in the trump suit can be an optical illusion when a trump is needed in dummy to ruff a loser in
dummy's long suit! Of course this presupposes that you can rid dummy of a number of cards in that
long suit on your own long side suit.
When partner leads a suit in which you have the AKQ and dummy has length in the suit, take the first
trick with the ace, not the queen. If declarer ruffs, partner will know you have the AKQ. If the Ace
lives, continue with the queen. If declarer ruffs, partner will know you started with the AKQ. By
playing the ace first, you do not give away the strength of your suit. The original play of the queen
(which shows the AKQ unless partner has underled the ace!) makes it easier for the declarer to place the
other missing honor cards.
#3 STRETCHING
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
IMPs
North
S. A86
H. K10753
D. 86
C. AJ5
South (you)
S. K109
H. A9
D. AK42
C. KQ92
South West North East
1D Pass 1H Pass
2NT Pass 4NT (1) Pass
5C (2) Pass 5NT (3) Pass
6NT (4) All Pass
(1) A real stretch given that you show 18-19.
(2) Acceptance showing four clubs in case partner also has four clubs.
(3) Minimum slam try; no kidding.
(4) I'm not letting you off the hook.
Opening lead: DQ In spite of your opening 1D bid, West leads your suit. East plays the D7. Plan the
play.
Solution:
With eight top tricks outside of hearts, the suit you must develop, you need to play hearts to your best
advantage for FOUR TRICKS. The best play with this combination is to lead low from dummy and insert
the 9. You score four heart tricks anytime the suit breaks 3-3 or East has Jx, Qx, or QJxx; not a bad
parlay.
The West hand: S. J75 H. J842 D. QJ10 C. 864
The East hand: S. Q432 H. Q6 D. 9753 C. 1073
THE BOTTOM LINE:
After partner makes an invitational raise to 4NT, a new suit by the opener is natural, it is not some sort of
response to a non-existent Blackwood bid.
At notrump (or suit), count your sure tricks outside of the suit you must develop so you will know how
many tricks you need in your main suit.
With K10xxx facing A9 doubleton the best play for four tricks is to lead low to the nine; with K10xx facing
A9 doubleton the best play for three tricks is to lead low to the nine.
#4 A GIMME
Dlr: South
Vul: None
IMPs
North
S. Q42
H. 653
D. AQ1096
C. K6
South (you)
S. A6
H. AK7
D. J832
C. A875
1NT Pass 3NT All Pass
Opening lead: SJ Plan the play
Solution:
This hand is supposed to be a "confidence builder". In order to get an "A" all you have to do is play low
from dummy and preserve the queen as a stopper in case East gets the lead. Since the diamond finesse
is going into East, that seems to be a clever idea.
After the winning the SA, run the D8 (or the DJ). As it happens it loses, but East cannot attack spades
without surrendering a trick to dummy's queen. In the meantime, you now have nine tricks: four
diamonds, two hearts, two clubs and one spade. Playing the SQ at trick one is an optical illusion. If
West has led from the king, you can always take a second spade trick later, but if East has the king, your
now guarded queen protects you from a further spade attack.
The West hand: S. J108 H. Q82 D. 54 C. J9432
The East hand: S. K9753 H. J1094 D. K7 C. Q10
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Defensively, when the bidding goes 1NT pass 3NT, it is healthier to lead a major suit as opposed to a
minor. If dummy had one or two four card majors, 2C would have been the original response. In the
absence of a 2C response, expect minor suit length to hit the table.
When the opponents lead a jack against your notrump contract, find out if they are using the lead
convention "jack denies". If they are, the jack is the opening leader's highest card and there is not much
point in playing the queen from dummy.
With Ax facing Qxx in the dummy, it is usually right to win the opening lead with the ace, particularly if
you plan to take a finesse into your right hand opponent. However, if you absolutely need two quick
tricks in the suit, play the queen.
#5 WRONG GAME?
Dlr. South
Vul: Neither
IMPs
North
S. A65
H. A8765
D. AK8
C. 54
South (you)
S. 3
H.K43
D. QJ109654
C. KJ
3D 3S 5D All Pass
Opening lead: SK
Well, you successfully avoided 4H and 3NT (from your side) to land in 5D. Things could be worse as 5D
is certainly playable. How would you play it?
Solution:
The best way to handle this situation is to duck the opening lead. In effect you are exchanging a spade
loser for a heart loser. If a spade is continued, you can ruff, draw two trump, discard a heart on the SA
and play the AK and ruff a heart. If hearts are 3-2, you can discard both clubs on the established hearts
and make an overtrick. The only way West can save the overtrick is to cash the CA at trick two- a play
he may make if he knows what a tricky guy (or gal) you are.
West hand: S. KQJ 874 H. 109 D. 32 C. AQ8
East hand: S. 1092 H. QJ2 D. 7 C. 1097632
THE BOTTOM LINE
Exchanging one loser loser for another can be a neat form of avoidance
play.
#6 IF IT HAS AN ODOR
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
IMP scoring
North
S. 9843
H. A3
D. KJ6
C. KJ94
South (you)
S. AKQ2
H. Q92
D. 1087
C. A63
1NT Pass 2C Pass
2S Pass 4S All Pass
Opening lead: DA
East plays the D9 and West continues with the D2. Plan the play.
Solution:
If a lead looks like a doubleton and smells like a doubleton, it probably is a doubleton. Why would
anyone lead from an AQ into a notrump bidder? Win the DK and assuming a 3-2 trump division, draw
trump and exit with the DJ. Note: When trumps are 4-1, a long suit is usually led.
East, on play with the DQ has an unhappy choice of plays. If East elects to exit a heart, play the queen
and if it is covered, you are reduced to the club finesse. If East exits a club, the most you can lose is a
heart. If East exits a diamond, ruff in your hand and discard a heart from dummy. You now have to
play clubs for one loser. The best play is low to the king, low to the ace and then low to the jack if the
queen hasn't appeared.
West hand: S. 1052 H. J864 D. A2 C. 10875

East hand: S. J7 H. K1075 D. Q9543 C. Q2
#7 ONCE IN A LIFETIME-DON'T BLOW IT
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
IMP scoring
North
S. Q862
H. 76
D. AK42
C. 543
South (you)
S. A43
H. AKQJ10952
D. -
C. AK
2C Pass 2D Pass
2H Pass 2NT Pass
3H Pass 4D Pass
4S Pass 5D Pass
6H All Pass
Opening lead: CQ
During the bidding you discover that partner has the DAK, but how are you going to get over there to use
them? After the opening lead, you have the same problem. Plan the play.
Solution
The West hand: S. J5 H. 83 D. J976 C. QJ1092
The East hand: S. K1097 H. 4 D. Q10853 C. 876
With two possible spade losers staring you in the face, the safest way to dummy's AK of diamonds is to
lead a low heart to the six at trick two. This has the effect of forcing a dummy entry with the H7. That's
all there is to it.
#8 UP OR DOWN MR. BROWN?
Dlr: South
Vul: Neither
IMPs
North
S. A1054
H. 43
D. KJ9
C. 7654
South (you)
S. K632
H. A10
D. AQ10
C. A932
1NT Pass 2C Pass
2S Pass 3S Pass
4S All Pass
Opening lead: HK
Say you win the HA and duck a club to East's J. East cashes the HJ and exits with the CK, to your ace,
West playing the ten. Wondering about spades? O.K, the time has come; you play the SK and East
plays the jack. When you continue with a second spade, West plays low, of course. Which spade to
you play from dummy, and worse, why?
Solution
This one's a gimme. You can't make the hand if the SJ is a singleton as you will have a natural spade
loser to go along with a heart and two club losers. The only hope to make your contract is that East has
QJ doubleton so you should rise with the ace. Play to make!
West hand: S. 987 H. KQ82 D. 876 C. Q108
East hand: S. QJ H. J10762 D. 5432 C. KJ
#9 WILD MAN, WILD
Dlr: South
Vul: N-S
IMPs
` North
S. 5432
H. -
D. 7632
C. J8643
South (you)
S. AKJ108
H. AK
D. AKQJ5
C. 9
2C (1) 2H Pass 4H
4S 5C 5S 6H
6S Pass Pass Dbl.
All Pass
(1) Artificial
Opening lead: CA
East plays the CK and West shifts to the HQ. Plan the play.
Solution
East and West have badly misjudged the situation. They have a great non-vulnerable save in 7H. In
addition, East has tipped off the location of the SQ.
Your play is to ruff the heart continuation at trick two and use both of dummy's heart ruff entries to take
spade finesses as East is sure to have all four spades.
West hand: S. - H. QJ10643 D. 8 C. AQ10752
East hand: S. Q976 H. 98752 D. 1094 C. K
THE BOTTOM LINE
When playing against a whopping two-suiter, you may have to make adjustments in the play of various
suits.
#10 KEY CARD BLACKWOOD ANYONE?
North
S. 1064
H. K765
D. A54
C. 543
South (you)
S. AQJ832
H. AQ
D. K3
C. KQJ
You and your partner were not using Key Card Blackwood, so after partner supported spades and you
found out via regular Blackwood that partner had one ace you had no way of knowing whether he had the
SK as well so fearlessly you bid 6S.
The opening lead is the HJ. Plan the play.
Solution:
You are off the CA and need to find the SK with East, so assume it is there. First hurdle. Next, you
must allow for East having all four spades in which case you need to lead spades TWICE from dummy to
pull in the suit.
Make the key play of the HK at trick one and the next key play of the S10 at trick two. If East plays low,
run the ten, and repeat the finesse. If West has shown out on the first spade, you can return to dummy
with the DA to finesse spades one last time.
There are two traps here: (1) winning the opening lead in your own hand. Now you may need two
dummy entries to pull in the spades and if East has a singleton heart, you don't have them; (2) even if
you win the HK at trick one, you must start with the S10 at trick two. If you lead low to the queen and
West shows out, you will need TWO more dummy entries to
pick up the spades and you only have one.
West hand: S. - H. J109843 D. J986 C. A102
East hand: S. K975 H. 2 D. Q1072 C. 9876
#11 WHERE'S THERE'S EIGHT, THERE MUST BE NINE
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
IMPs
North
S. 54
H. AKJ10
D. 10987
C. AQ5
South (you)
S. A8
H. 632
D. AKJ5
C. K732
Opening lead: SK
East signals with the nine and you decide to win the opening lead. How do you continue?
Solution:
You have eight top tricks with a chance for a ninth in three suits. In addition, you dare not give up the
lead. First start with clubs. If that suit dividends 3-3, your worries are over. Life is never that easy.
If clubs are 4-2 you have to bring home one of the red suits. But which one?
When you have two suits missing a queen and can't afford to give up the lead, play the AK of the longer
suit (diamonds) and if the queen doesn't drop take a finesse in the shorter suit (hearts). After the clubs,
you should cash the HA, in case the queen is singleton, play the DAK and if the queen doesn't drop, take
the heart finesse. Your play is rewarded, the DQ falls doubleton so you need not risk the heart finesse.
West hand: S. KQ1076 H. 74 D. Q4 C. J964

East hand: S. J932 H. Q985 D. 632 C. 108
#12 SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SLAM
Dlr: South
Vul: None
IMPs
North
S. J9542
H. A32
D. A32
C. K4
South
S. AK1086
H. KJ10
D. KJ9
C. AJ
2NT (1) Pass 3H(2) Pass
4S(3) Pass 6S All Pass
(1) This hand screams for a 2NT opening bid.
(2) Transfer.
(3) Four spades (usually).
Opening lead: C10
East plays the C7 at trick one which you win with the ace. At trick two you play the SA both following.
How do you continue?
Solution:
After drawing the last trump, the idea is to hold your red suit losers to one and you have a 100% play.
Cash a second club stripping that suit and exit with the AK and the J of diamonds. Whoever wins must
lead a heart or give you a ruff and a sluff. Don't even think of taking two finesses when you can ensure
the contract without taking either.
West hand: S. 7 H. Q98 D. Q1087 C. 109852

East hand: S. Q3 H. 7654 D. 654 C. Q763
THE BOTTOM LINE
Equal length side suits can often be used as throw-in suits to force a favorable lead.
When faced with a choice of using one of two equally divided suits, both missing a queen, as your throw-
in suit, use the weaker suit to force a lead in the stronger.
#13 THE TEST
The American Bridge Teacher's Association issues a quarterly magazine designed to aid teachers and
present them with the latest teaching techniques. Lesson hands are included that teachers have
submitted so that other teachers can benefit from them as well. The following hand is of intermediate
plus difficulty and will be presented as a problem to see if you are "on the way up"!
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
North (dummy)
S. AQ53
H. K87
D. K832
C. Q7
South (you)
S. 104
H. AQJ1054
D. A65
C. 96
1H Pass 1S Pass
2H Pass 4H All Pass
Opening lead: CA. West cashes the king of clubs at trick two and exits a trump. Trumps are 2-2; plan
the play.
Solution
The West hand: S. J762 H. 32 D. J97 C. Q104
The East hand: S. K98 H. 96 D. Q104 C. J10932
The beginning player adores taking finesses and this hand is designed to teach him to delay finesses in
short suits when there is a longer suit in the area. Best is to draw trump and play the ace and a
diamond. If West follows to the second diamond with the lowest missing diamond it is safe to play low
from dummy because East will have to win the trick. If East happens to have started with honor
doubleton, East is endplayed. If East has a diamond to get out with and diamonds break 3-3, the spade
finesse is unnecessary. If diamonds do not divide 3-3, the spade finesse is still available.
Also, when a second diamond is led and it is not clear that East will take the trick, you should rise with
dummy's king and play a third diamond. If diamonds break 3-3, you have the rest; if not, the spade
finesse beckons. The key to the play is determining how the diamonds break before you take what could
be a needless spade finesse.
#14 Defensive Boo Boo
Dlr: South
Vul: East-West
IMPs
North (dummy)
S. J1065
H. AQ
D. K765
C. 854
South (you)
S. KQ9842
H. J6
D. A4
C. K107
1S Pass 3S (1) Pass
4S All Pass
(1) Limit raise
Opening lead: C9
East wins the ace and returns the CQ to your K, West following with the 3. At trick three you lead a low
spade to the jack which holds, both following. What now?
Solution
The West hand: S. A7 H. 97532 D. Q1083 C. 93
The East hand: S. 3 H.K1084 D. J92 C. AQJ62
West has erred by not rising ace and switching to heart and now it's up to you to take advantage. Play
the ace-king and ruff a diamond and exit a club to East's jack. If East has no more diamonds, what can
poor East do? A heart is unthinkable and a club return is a ruff and a sluff. Contract made.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Try to take advantage of a defensive error without returning the favor by making one of your own! (Not
stripping the diamonds and exiting a club).
With AQ doubleton facing two small, the last thing you want to do is take the finesse; try something else,
anything else, first.
# 15 WRONG CONTRACT, AGAIN
Dlr: North
Vul: Both
North (dummy)
S. 5
H. A109642
D. AK5
C. 1083
South (you)
S. KJ3
H. QJ
D. QJ64
C. AQ94
1H Pass 3NT (1) All Pass
(1) Natural, 16-17
Opening lead: S6 East plays the ten and you scoop up the jack. What now?
Solution
The West hand: S. AQ962 H. 83 D. 10732 C. J4
The East hand: S. 10874 H. K75 D. 98 C. K765
You're in the wrong contract, but you can't be bothered with stuff like that now. There are two possible
lines of play, one far better than the other.
(1) Take the heart finesse (into the danger hand, East). If it works, you take a zillion tricks, if it loses,
they do! Why put all of your eggs in a 50% basket when you can:
(2) Cross to a diamond and run the C8. Say it loses to the jack and a heart comes back (best). Win the
HA, and run the C10. If East has either club honor, you score three club tricks to go along with four
diamonds and two aces. A 75% play is better than a 50% play.
#16 IMAGINATIVE RAISE
Dlr: West
Vul: Both
IMPs
North (dummy)
S. AJ
H. 742
D. K9743
C. J75
South (you)
S. K109843
H. K65
D. A2
C. A2
West North East South
Pass Pass 1H 1S
Pass 2S! Pass 4S
All Pass
Opening lead: H3 East wins the HA and shifts to the CK. Plan the play.
Solution
The West hand: S. Q52 H. J73 D. J2 C. 98743
The East hand: S. 76 H. AQ109 D. Q1085 C. KQ10
For openers it appears that East has opened a four card heart suit usually indicating a minimum balanced
hand. Rather than put all your eggs in the spade finesse basket, work on the diamonds. Win the CA
and play the ace-king and ruff a diamond with a middle spade. If diamonds break 3-3, play the king-ace
of spades and discard a loser on a top diamond. Presumably somebody will ruff with the SQ and you will
remain with one more loser. Making four.
If diamonds divide 4-2, the length with East, and the third diamond is overruffed by West, you still have a
chance to discard a loser by using both of dummy's spades as entries for further diamond
establishment. Say the diamond is overruffed and a heart comes back. You win the king, cross to
dummy with a spade, ruff a diamond setting up dummy's fifth diamond, return to a spade and if trumps
are all gone, you can discard your other loser safely. In other words, you may not have to guess the
location of the SQ, if you play diamonds before spades.
Notice that when West overtrumps the third diamond holding SQxx, the hand can be made. However, if
West NONCHALANTLY discards on the third diamond, there is a good chance you will play East for the SQ
and then down you go.
#17 GOOD EVENING
Dlr: North
Vul: Neither
IMPs
North (dummy)
S. QJ98
H. A4
D. J765
C. AQ3
South (you)
S. AK1032
H. KQ5
D. Q94
C. 54
1D Pass 1S Pass
2S Pass 4S All Pass
Opening lead: C6 Plan the play.
Solution
The West hand: S. 74 H. 10862 D. A103 C. J976
The East hand: S. 65 H. J973 D. K82 C. K1082
Don't tell me you even thought about finessing the CQ. You have a gimme by winning the CA, drawing
trump, and then playing three rounds of hearts discarding a club from dummy "evening" out the club
suit. Now that both your hand and dummy each have one club, it is safe to exit a club. Whoever wins
the king has to break diamonds or give you a ruff and
a sluff. Either way you can only lose two more tricks.
THE BOTTOM LINE
After a hand has been stripped, equally divided side suits can be used as throw in suits to force a lead in
another suit. Here you have the wherewithal to turn an unequally divided side suit (clubs) into an equally
divided one and then use it as your throw-in suit.
Anytime you have a side suit such as Jxx(x) facing Qxx, the idea is to force the opponents to lead that suit
to you. Look for throw-in possibilities.
#18 HEART ATTACK
Dlr: West
Vul: Neither
Matchpoints
North (dummy)
S. Q2
H. J32
D. 765
C. J5432
South (you)
S. AK109843
H. AQ
D. 32
C. A10
1D Pass 1H 4S
All Pass
Opening lead: DA
West continues with the king and a diamond, East playing high-low and then furnishing the queen as you
ruff. Now what?
Solution
The West hand: S. 76 H. K9 D. AKJ84 C. Q987
The East hand: S. J5 H. 1087654 D. Q109 C. K6
Careful! After ruffing the diamond at trick three, the proper play at trick four is the HQ! Yes, you read
correctly. If you cross to the SQ and take a heart finesse and it loses, you can't get back to dummy to
enjoy the HJ. If you play the HAQ and East has six hearts to the king, he can return a heart while West
still has trump and once again you can't use the HJ. Say East has the dreaded six hearts to the king.
He wins the HK and shifts to a club. You win the Ace, cash both major suit aces and then enter dummy
with a spade to discard your club on the HJ. Your play of the HQ only loses when West has two hearts
and three spades. However, it does win whenever hearts are 5-3 regardless of who has the king.
The play of the heart suit reminds me of a story I tell my classes. Two ladies are discussing how their
husbands play bridge and the first one says, "My husband is the worst bridge player in the world." The
second one replies, "You must be kidding, mine plays much worse than yours."
The first one says, "O.K, let me tell you what happened last night. My husband was playing 7NT with 11
tricks outside of spades. The dummy had the SAQ of spades and the king was onside. My husband
took the first 11 tricks, wound up in DUMMY with the SAQ of spades, and then led the queen from the
dummy!" The second one says, "So what's the matter with that, against my husband that play works!"
#19 YOUR BEST SHOT?
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
IMPs
North (dummy)
S. 76
H. AKJ
D. K74
C. J10432
South (you)
S. A9
H. 5432
D. QJ109
C. AKQ
Opening lead: S3 East plays the Q. Plan the play.
Solution
The West hand: S. J8432 H. Q975 D. 62 C. 98
The East hand: S. KQ105 H. 108 D. A853 C. 765
There are three ways to attack this contract after winning the SA at trick one. (See Bottom Line on why
you should not duck the opening lead).
1. The technical line: Cross to a high heart, cash the AKQ of clubs and take the heart finesse.
2. The thief's line: Lead the DJ at trick two hoping West ducks with the DA. If he does, you have stolen
trick #9.
3. The insulting line: Cash the AKQ of clubs, cross to dummy with a heart and play two more clubs
hoping the player with five spades discards one. If that happens, you can knock out the DA safely.
Line 3 is the weakest. The player with five spades would have to make a gross error and discard a spade
on the clubs.
Line 2 has a chance. If West has something like Jxxxx of spades and the DA, he may not have realized
that he has struck gold with the opening lead and may duck the DJ hoping partner has the queen and can
lead a spade through. The good news is that West does have the spade holding you were rooting for,
the bad news is that East has the DA. Line 1 is the winner.
THE BOTTOM LINE

With a notrump stopper such as Ax facing xx, unless the suit might be divided 7-2, do not hold up when a
low card is led. It is not always easy for the opening leader to read your weakness if you win the ace.
For example, if East plays the SK and West has Q10xx(x), West can't know who has the jack. In the actual
diagram, West can't be sure who has the king.
When trying to steal a trick (diamonds) with the king in the dummy and the QJ10(x) in the closed hand,
the most deceptive card to lead is your second highest honor, the jack.
When returning the suit partner has led (East winning the DA and wanting to clear spades), it is "normal"
to return your lowest card with three cards remaining, however there are other considerations.
Whenever you suspect partner may have more length than you, you may have to return your highest card
to avoid blocking the suit. Here if you return a low spade, the suit is blocked. Also, given the lead,
there is some chance that declarer has AJ doubleton in which case it is clearly right to play the king.
#20 NOT TOO SCIENTIFIC
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
IMPs
North (dummy)
S. 3
H. 10932
D. Q4
C. KJ10965
South (you)
S. AK75
H. A4
D. AK103
C. A84
2C(1) Pass 3C Pass
6C All Pass
(1) Strong and artificial
Opening lead: HQ. Plan the play.
Solution
The West hand: S. Q864 H. QJ8 D. 876 C. Q32
The East hand: S. J1092 H. K765 D. J952 C. 7
Give yourself two chances. Win the opening lead and play the AK of clubs. If the queen drops, you are
playing for the overtrick. If the queen doesn't drop, lead a diamond to the queen and a diamond to the
ten. If the finesse works, dump one of dummy's hearts on a high spade and the other two on diamonds.
Of course, you have to hope that the player with the CQ, has at least three diamonds.
#21 DON'T COME HOME LAME ON THIS ONE
Both sides vulnerable

Dealer North
IMPs
North
S. 10942
H. A3
D. QJ6
C. AQ109
South
S. AKQJ76
H. Q5
D. AK5
C. J4
1C Pass 2S Pass
3S Pass 4D Pass
4H Dbl. 4NT Pass
5H Pass 5NT (1) Pass
6S(2) Pass Pass Pass
(1) Specific kings
(2) None outside of spades
Opening lead: Nine of hearts. Plan the play.
West East
S. 8 S. 53
H. 98742 H. KJ106
D. 1098 D. 7432
C. 8632 C. K75
Solution
This one's a gimme. With the HK marked in East all you need to is win the HA, draw trump, strip the
diamonds and exit a heart to East's king. Now sit back and wait for a ruff and a sluff or a club smack into
dummy's AQ. Next case.
THE BOTTOM LINE
When a lead directing double (East's double of 4H) tips off the location of an important missing honor, use
that information to guide you in the play.
#22 THE CASE OF THE MISSING BLACK QUEENS
Dealer South
Vul: Neither
IMPs
North
S. KJ32
H. A4
D. Q65
C. K843
South
S. A10654
H. K9
D. AKJ
C. AJ6
2NT Pass 3C Pass
3S Pass 6S All Pass
Opening lead: HQ Plan the play
Solution
The West hand: S. 8 H. QJ1073 D. 9432 C. Q102
The East hand: S. Q97 H. 8652 D. 1087 C. 975
The only way to go down on this hand is if the club finesse is offside and there is a spade loser.
However, even that misfortune can be overcome if you are willing to take a risk that diamonds are 4-3.
Win the opening in your hand play over to the king of spades and then play the ace of hearts followed by
three rounds of diamonds ending dummy. If nothing traumatic has happened thus far, lead a spade
from dummy and if East follows, insert the 10. If it wins, you are playing for an overtrick; if it loses,
West, now spadeless is endplayed. If East shows out on the second spade, win the ace and exit a spade
once again endplaying West. What if somebody ruffs the second or third round of diamonds? If West
ruffs with a doubleton spade, West is endplayed. If East ruffs or if West ruffs holding three spades, you
have to fall back on the club finesse.
THE BOTTOM LINE
When faced with a two-way finesse in the trump suit plus a possible outside loser if one particular
defender gets the lead, strip the hand (if possible) and then finesse the trump suit into the player who will
be endplaying upon winning a possible doubleton queen. Here you finesse into West because even if you
lose to Qx in the West hand, West can't lead clubs safely. However, if the clubs in dummy were KJxx
facing Axx, start by cashing the SA and eventually finesse spades into East if West follows to the second
spade. If you lose to the S Qx, East has to break clubs or give you a ruff and a sluff. If West shows out
on the second spade, win the king and toss East in with the SQ.
#23 FORCING STAYMAN
Dlr: North
Vul: Both
North
S. Q75
H. K102
D. KJ87
C. AK4
South (you)
S. K10843
H. AJ95
D. 1096
C. J
1NT Pass 2C Pass
2D Pass 2S (1) Pass
3S Pass 4S All Pass
(1) Forcing to 2NT or three of a major
Opening lead: Queen of diamonds
You cover smartly with the king, East wins the ace and returns the three of diamonds, West playing the
deuce. Plan the play.
Solution
The West hand: S. 92 H. Q83 D. Q2 C. Q86532
The East hand: S. AJ6 H. 764 D. A543 C. 1097
In order to minimize the danger of a diamond ruff, win the diamond return in dummy and lead a low
spade toward your hand. If East plays low, play the king. If it holds, not much bad can happen to you;
lead a second spade and if West follows, you might as well play the queen. If it loses to the ace, as
expected, and East gives West a diamond ruff, also as expected, that will be their last trick.
The trap is NOT to lead a spade to the queen. If that loses and East gives West a diamond ruff, you are
suddenly in the uncomfortable position of having to guess spades to make your contract since the
opponents remain with two spades including the jack.
Notice that if East jumps up with the SA at trick three and gives West a diamond ruff, you will have no
trouble picking up the SJ because you have the queen and king of spades to draw the two outstanding
trump.
THE BOTTOM LINE
When threatened with an adverse ruff missing the AJxxx of trump and no other losers, assume the
PARTNER of the player who can ruff has the ace of trump and if your king and queen of trump are split
between your hand and dummy, lead low toward an honor forcing the player with the assumed ace of
trump (in this case, East) to play second, not last, to the trick.
#24 COUNT YOUR TRICKS!
Dlr: West
Vul: Both
Imps
North
S. 9432
H. A84
D. QJ10
C. A52
South
S. KQ5
H. KQ10932
D. A5
C. 76
1D Pass Pass 2H(1)
Pass 4H Pass Pass
Pass
(1) Intermediate strength
Opening lead: KC. Hearts are NOT 4-0. Plan the play.
Solution
The West hand: S. A8 H. 6 D. K87643 C. KQ43
The East hand: S. J1076 H. J75 D. 95 C. J1098
You are looking at 10 tricks: 6 hearts, 2 diamonds, one spade and one club. All you have to do is take
them in the proper order.
Best is to win the second club, cash the KH, and then make the key play of a LOW diamond. There isn't
much West can do after winning the king. If he plays a third club, you ruff, cash a second high trump,
play the DA, and enter dummy with a trump to discard a spade on a high diamond. The reason for
leading a low diamond instead of the ace and a diamond is that East might have a doubleton diamond. If
this is the case, then West can lead a third diamond for East to ruff before you can use your established
diamond for a spade discard. Sorrow.
THE BOTTOM LINE
At a trump contract, adverse trump still outstanding, with Ax facing QJx, and an unassailable side suit
entry to the hand with the QJx, the safest play for two tricks (if the lead is in the Ax hand) is to lead low
to the QJx guarding against a 6-2 break in either hand.
#25 WHO'S GOT WHAT?
As declarer you frequently have distributional information picked up from the opening lead and the
return. In this quiz you will be given sufficient clues to answer the counting questions beneath the
diagram.
Assume you are playing a suit or notrump contract and the opponents are using fourth best leads.
North (dummy)
D. 973
South (you)
D. A106
1. West leads the D2. How do you assume the diamonds are divided?
2. West leads the D2, East plays the J and you play low. At trick two East returns the D4. Now how do
you assume the diamond are divided?
3. Given the sequence of plays in #2, how do you visualize the diamond honors around the table?
4. West leads the D4, East plays the DQ and you duck. East returns the D8, you win the Ace and West
plays the 2. How do you think the diamonds are divided?
5. West leads the 4D, East plays the DJ and you play low. East continues with the DK and West plays
the D2. How do you visualize the diamonds around the table?
Answers
1. Diamonds figure to be 4-3, West having 4.
2. It now looks like West has led from a three card suit and East has four. If East had three diamonds,
East would return his higher diamond.
3. It looks like East has QJxx and West Kxx.
4. It appears West has led from KJxxx and East has the Q8 doubleton.
5. It appears that West has led from a doubleton and East has KQJxx. If East had KJ doubleton, East
would have played the king first.
#26 A NEW LOOK
Dlr: South
Vul: Neither
North
S. 10
H. KJ1054
D. K1092
C. KJ10
South (you)
S. QJ32
H. A
D. A65
C. Q8765
1C Pass 1H 1S
Pass 2S Dbl (1) Pass
(1) Takeout
Opening lead: S5
East wins the SA and returns the S6. Which spade do you play and what is your plan?
Solution
The West hand: S. K85 H. Q9876 D. J83 C. 42
The East hand: S. A9764 H. 32 D. Q74 C. A93
The bidding tells you that the spades are 5-3 and it is likely that West has led from the Kxx. If you play
a spade honor at trick three, West will win and return a spade overtaken by East driving out your
remaining honor. When East, the likely holder of the CA, gets in, you will be defeated, East-West
cashing four spades and a club. The answer is to play low on East's spade return. West can win
cheaply and cash the SK, but you remain with a spade stopper and time to drive out the CA and develop
nine tricks.
THE BOTTOM LINE
This is an unusual spade combination that it pays to be familiar with.
#27 Sporting Raise
Dlr: West
Vul: Both
IMPs
North
S. 765
H. KJ105
D. J765
C Q5
South (you)
S. AK1098
H. 73
D. AKQ9
C. 82
1C Pass 1H 1S
Dbl(1) 2S (2) Pass 4S
All Pass
(1) Support double showing three card heart support
(2) A bad bid. Do not make "sporting raises" when most or all of your strength is in the suit or suits the
opponents are bidding.
Opening lead: HA
East discourages in hearts and West shifts to the D10 to your king. Say you continue with the AK of
spades and West follows with two low spades and East follows low and then plays the jack. Where do
you go from here?
Solution
The West hand: S. Q32 H. AQ4 D. 109 C. KJ976
The East hand: S. J4 H. 9862 D. 843 C. A1043
Once the defenders do not cash their two club winners, you have been given a reprieve. However, in
order to take advantage of their generosity, you must decide which opponent is more likely to have the
queen of hearts.
If you think West has it, you can take a simple finesse and wind up with an overtrick. You will be able to
discard both of your clubs losers before West can ruff in. If you think East has it, lead a heart to the
king and then run the jack, discarding a club, if East does not cover.
If East covers, ruff, and try to enter dummy with a diamond in order to discard a club on the ten of hearts.
What are the clues?
The clues comes from the bidding and the club suit. If West had both club honors he would have led
one, and if West had the ace of clubs without the king, he would have cashed the ace at trick two to find
out if partner had the king. Clearly West has the king of clubs and East has the ace.
So what does West have for his first seat vulnerable opening bid? The most he can have in spades is the
queen, the most he can have in clubs is the KJ for a total of 6 HCP in the blacks. He has no points in
diamonds and needs both the ace and queen of hearts to have a minimum opening bid. Lead a heart to
the jack. As the cards lie you make an overtrick.
Additionally, this hand illustrates a defensive principle. Given the bidding, the lead, and the heart
strength in dummy, East's play at trick one should be suit preference, not attitude. After all, West
already knows how East must feel about hearts. If that agreement is in place, West will shift to a club at
trick two and defeat the contract.
#28 You Don't Want To Know
North
S. AQ73
H. QJ108
D. -
C. KQ653
South (you)
S. KJ1095
H. 9732
D. A10
C. A10
Contract 6S
Lead: QD
You do not want to know the bidding (they were silent) that eventually landed you in this godforsaken
contract. Of course it was your partner's fault, but at least you didn't get a heart lead. Spades are 2-2
(why am I so good to you?) Plan the play.
Solution
Basically you have to bring in dummy's clubs for five tricks so you can pitch three hearts from your
hand. The best play for five club tricks with this combination is to lead low to the ten which is better
than playing the AKQ. This play loses to Jxx in the West hand (If West has Jx, you can't take five tricks
anyway). However, your play gains when East has Jx or Jxxx.
#29 That Extra Chance
Dealer North
Vul. Both
North
S: 1093
H: A432
D: J85
C: AK7
South (you)
S: A8765
H: KJ5
D: K103
C: Q3

1C Pass 1S Pass
1NT Pass 2C (1) Pass
2S Pass 4S All Pass
(1) Checkback
Opening lead: D2 (fourth best). East wins the D-A and returns the D-9. What is your plan?
Solution
The West hand: S. KJ H. Q96 D. Q742 C. 10752
The East hand: S. Q42 H. 1087 D. A96 C. J964
You are off two trump tricks, you have already lost the D-A, and it looks very much like West has the D-
Q. Clearly you should rise with the D-K. Only someone with a strong death wish would play low on the
second diamond. Having won the D-K, you should cash the S-A (I will tell you why in a moment) and
then play three rounds of clubs discarding your losing diamond. With the lead in dummy, ruff dummy's
last diamond, stripping that suit, and exit a spade.
If West has to win this trick (he does), you will not need to take the heart finesse. West will either have
to lead a heart or give you a ruff and a sluff; either return is instant death. If the opponents can
untangle their spades, cash two spades, and get out safely upon winning your spade exit, you can still fall
back on the heart finesse.
Tip
Finesses seldom work in problem hands- in mine they never work! Just kidding. And why did you cash
the S-A early? Well, if West was born with the Kx and didn't have the presence of mind to unblock the
king he could be thrown in later in the hand. As it was, West had KJ doubleton and couldn't avoid the
endplay no matter what.
#30 PERFECT CONTRACT
Dlr: South
Vul: E-W
North
S. AJ5
H. Q93
D. 76
C. K8754
South (you)
S. KQ1074
H. KJ102
D. Q
C. A93
1S Pass 2C 2D
2H 4D (1) 4S Pass
4S All Pass
(1) Preemptive
Opening lead: D2
East wins the opening lead with the king and continues with the DA. Plan the play.
Solution
The West hand: S. 2 H. A865 D. 9852 C. J1062
The East hand: S. 9863 H. 74 D. AKJ1043 C. Q
Better discard a club at trick two, a sure loser in any case. You have to guard against 4-1 spades (likely
on the bidding). If you ruff and find spades 4-1, you have to desist playing spades after drawing two
rounds and go after hearts. If the player with four spades has a doubleton heart, clever opponents will
organize a heart ruff to defeat you. If you discard a club at trick two, avoiding the long hand force, you
will be able to draw four rounds of trump before attacking hearts.
THE BOTTOM LINE
Jump raises of overcalls are preemptive.

Consider discarding a certain loser rather than ruffing in the long hand if a bad trump break is likely or if
no ruff in a side suit is imminent.
#31 IT LOOKS SO EASY
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
North
S. A32
H. Q5
D. AKQ10
C. 8765
South (you)
S. KQ954
H. AK7
D. 752
C. AQ
1S Pass 2D Pass
3NT Pass 6S All Pass
Opening lead: CJ
Partner might have bid 6NT, but that's water over the dam. How do you play 6S after winning the
opening lead with the CQ?
Solution
The West hand: S. - H. J8643 D. J943 C. 8765
The East hand: S. J10876 H. 1092 D. 86 C. K32
When a contract looks too good to be true, ask yourself what can possibly go wrong and then try to
protect against your worst fears. In this case the nightmare is East having all five spades (If West has
them, you are history). Accordingly, lead a low spade to the ace at trick two, NOT a high spade from
your hand first. When the 5-0 spade division comes to light, lead a second spade from dummy.
Assuming East plays an honor you can win, cross to a heart and lead a spade to the nine. After cashing
the high spade you can play winners allowing East to make his spade trick or you can give up a spade and
play the hand at notrump. Judy try making this hand if you play a high spade at trick two. Don't try
too hard, it can't be done.
THE BOTTOM LINE
If you are pretty sure you have 33-35 HCP between the two hands, it might be safer to play in 6NT just in
case your trump suit breaks obscenely.
The safety play with Axx facing KQ9xx to guard against a 5-0 division is to start with the ace.
#32 BLEAK DUMMY
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
North
S. 7654
H 9862
D. Q3
C. J93
South (you)
S. K32
H. AK7
D. A94
C. AQ105
2NT (1) All Pass
(1) 20-21
Opening lead: D3. You play the queen from dummy and it holds, East contributing the 6. Plan the
play.
Solution
The West hand: S. A108 H. Q104 D. KJ732 C. 86
The East hand: S. QJ9 H. J53 D. 1086 C. K742
Your best shot is to try to bring in the clubs for four tricks. Therefore you are playing East to have the
CK. Just in case East has four clubs and would stubbornly duck the jack in which case you have to win
the second club in your hand, the better play off dummy at trick two is the C9. Assuming East ducks,
you can continue with the J underplaying the 10 if East ducks again. Now with the lead still in dummy
you can lead a club to the queen and bag four club tricks as well as your contract.
THE BOTTOM LINE
With J9x facing AQ10x or Q9x facing AJ10x, start with the nine, not with the honor.
By starting with the nine you will be able to pick up Kxxx(x) without needing an additional entry to the
short hand.
#33 BETTER LEFT UNMENTIONED
After a bidding sequence neither you nor your partner are terribly proud of, you land in a contract of 6H
instead of 6NT. Nevertheless it would have been worse.
North
S. 764
H. A82
D. AKJ6
C. AQ7
South (you)
S. AK5
H. KJ743
D. Q3
C. K82
Contract 6H: Opening lead: SQ Plan the play
Solution
The West hand: S. QJ108 H. Q965 D. 85 C. 1054
The East hand: S. 932 H. 10 D. 109742 C. J963
This falls into the category of a one-suited problem. Hearts. The only losers you have are in hearts so
the idea is to play hearts as safely as possible for only one loser. Enter the safety play. With this heart
combination the safety play for four tricks is to start with the KING. If the nine or ten falls to your right,
lead low to the eight. This guards against Q9xx Q10xx to your left. When you lead a second heart if
West shows out, rise with the ace and then lead a low heart to the jack. Even if East has Q109x, East
can take no more than one trick.
THE BOTTOM LINE

When you have losers in only one suit, the best play in that suit is determined by how many tricks you
need the in the suit. At times you will be called up to make a safety play in the suit to make sure you
hold your losses to a minimum without trying for all the tricks.
The safety play for four tricks with KJxxx facing A8x (or AJxxx facing K8x) is to start with the king and
then lead low to the eight if the nine or ten falls to your right.
#34 NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
North
S. 732
H. 86
D. 74
C. AK6532
South (you)
S. J104
H. AQ52
D. AKQ5
C. J10

Opening lead: DJ East plays the 2. Plan the play.
The West hand: S. K98 H. J94 D. J1098 C. Q87
The East hand: S. AQ65 H. K1073 D. 632 C. 94
Solution
A little chicanery is called for here. After winning the first diamond, preferably with the king, lead the
TEN of clubs. Psychologically it is much easier to cover a jack with a queen then a ten. If the ten is
ducked all around, you are playing for overtricks. If West covers the ten, play low (the suit is blocked)
and hope West doesn't find the spade shift. And even if West does lead a spade, East may err by
winning the spade and returning a diamond or a heart. There are so many ways to go wrong in this
game and most of them are on defense.
#35 WEAK TWO IN ACTION
Dealer West
Vul: Neither
North
S. 2
H. 76
D. KJ10643
C. AKJ5
South
S. Q1083
H. AKJ10
D. Q5
C. Q76
2S 3D Pass 3NT
All Pass
Opening lead: S7 East plays the jack. Plan the play
Solution
Don't tell me you won this trick and crossed to dummy to take the heart finesse. Don't tell me you fell for
that trap. The lead has marked West with the AK of spades. Had West the DA as well, he would have
opened 1S. East has the diamond ace so hold up on the first spade. If East returns a spade, you still
have a spades stopped after West wins the trick. Whatever West does, you will either make 3NT (cashes
a third spade) or 4NT ( doesn't cash a third spade).
If you win the first spade, cross to dummy with a club and take the heart finesse and it loses, you are in
serious trouble if West wins and returns a diamond or just doesn't cash his AK of spades and exits with
any other suit. However if that "any other suit" happens to be a diamond you are going down three on a
cold hand!
The West hand: S. AK9764 H. Q92 D. 83 C. 93
The East hand: S. J5 H. 8543 D. A92 C. 10842
THE BOTTOM LINE
When a weak two bidder turns up with the AK of his suit, assume his partner has any other missing ace or
king and use that info to help you in the play.
#36 TOUCHY SUITS
Dealer: North
Vul: Neither
North
S. K863
H. A4
D. KJ107
C. Q52
South
S. AQJ95
H. 10
D. A942
C. J83
1D Pass 1S 2H
2S 3H 4S All Pass
Opening lead: HK Plan the play. (Spades are 2-2)
Solution
You have two touchy side suits and the idea is to play them for no more than three losers. Your best bet is
to win the HA, ruff a heart and play two rounds of spades stripping their safe exit cards in either major
and then play the AK of diamonds and exit a diamond.
Assuming diamonds are 3-2, whoever wins the queen must break clubs limiting your losses to two tricks
in that suit or give you a ruff/sluff, allowing you to ruff on one one side and discard a club on the other.
Leading clubs after you strip the hand trying to force a diamond lead is a thought, but not a good one.
After the opponents cash three clubs they can exit a heart, a ruff and a sluff, and you still will have to go
out looking for the DQ.
The West hand: S. 104 H. KQJ93 D. 83 C. A1094
The East hand: S. 72 H. 87652 D. Q65 C. K76
THE BOTTOM LINE
When you have two equally divided side suits, consider strip the hand (if possible) before playing either
one. Then attack the suit that gives you the best chance of avoiding the maximum number of losers in the
other. This may mean disdaining a finesse in the suit you attack preferring to play for a throw-in
instead.
As a defender when declarer has stripped a hand and the only "safe" suit to lead is divided 4-4 in the
opposing hands, it is usually better to concede a ruff-sluff than to attack the suit-particularly if the suit is
divided 3-2 in the defensive hands.
#37 BONUS HAND (TWO PARTS)
Dealer: South
Vul: North-South
North
S. AKQ7
H. A82
D. J73
C. A102 or A109
South
S. J10962
H. K5
D. AK2
C. K43
1S Pass 2NT Pass
3NT Pass 5S Pass
6S All Pass
North was trying to show a balanced with about 18-19 HCP. South wasn't sure what North was doing
but decided to bid on with his controlling cards.
Opening lead: HQ (spades are 2-2)
A. How do you play the hand if dummy has the A102 of clubs?
B. How do you play the hand if dummy has the A109 of clubs?
Solution to A
Your best shot to hold your minor suits losers to one is to draw trump, strip the hearts, cash the DA, and
exit with the king-ace and a club. You are hoping that the player who wins the trick has to lead away from
the DQ.
Solution to B
This time your best chance to hold your minor suit losers to one is to strip the hand as before but exit with
the AK and a diamond. Assuming the queen hasn't dropped, you have forced the opponents to lead a
club. Now the idea is to play for split club honors. If the honors are split you won't lose a club trick
when they break the suit.
The West hand: S. 43 H. QJ1063 D. 10865 C. J5
The East hand: S. 85 H. 974 D. Q94 C. Q9876
THE BOTTOM LINE
When choosing from which of two equally divided side suits to attack in a hand that has been stripped,
decide which suit you want them to break and then toss them in the other suit.
#38 EVER ALERT
Dealer: North
Vul: Both
North
S. J10643
H. 75
D. KJ3
C. A73
South
S. AK982
H. J62
D. A72
C. K8
Pass Pass 1S 2H
3S Pass 4S All Pass
Opening lead: HQ (Q from AKQ-third hand gives count)
East plays the H10 at trick one and West continues with the ace and king of hearts, East following to the
second heart. Plan the play.
Solution
Careful! Don't touch that dial. If you ruff high and you get overruffed you are at the mercy of the
diamond finesse. (Finesses never work in play quizzes by the way).
However, if you discard a diamond from dummy, a possible loser, you should prevail easily. Unless West
has Qxx of spades, you can win any return, draw trumps and claim.
The West hand: S. 7 H. AKQ984 D. 965 C. Q105
The East hand: S. Q5 H. 103 D. Q1084 C. J9762
THE BOTTOM LINE
The lead of the queen from the AKQ is a reasonable lead convention. Partner can usually read the lead
from the bidding and/or the jack is visible. Third hand gives count. Another plus for the lead is that if the
partnership leads the A from the AK, the lead of the ace denies the queen and pinpoints that card in
declarer's hand if third hand doesn't have the queen and it doesn't appear in dummy.
When dummy is threatened with an overruff, consider discarding a loser from dummy rather than
trumping. The discard would have been easier to make if dummy had the Kxx of diamonds rather than the
KJx, but the diamond discard is still the correct play.
#39 A KING FOR A KING
Dlr: West
Vul: Both
North
S. AQ5
H. QJ109
D. K42
C. 764
South
S. KJ10862
H. K
D. A6
C. Q853

Pass 1NT (1) Pass 4S
All Pass
(1) 12-14
Opening lead: CA (Ace from ace-king)
East plays the discouraging C2 and West shifts to the DQ. Plan the play.
Solution
A little subterfuge is called for here. West surely has the ace-king of clubs and presumably the D QJ
which places the HA with East.
Given that East has the HA, it is going to be difficult to avoid three club losers to along with the HA if East
can get in..... unless. Unless you duck the DQ in both hands! West is likely to continue the suit. If so, you
will win the ace, play the jack and a spade to dummy's ace, discard the HK on the DK (applause) and run
the HQ through East to take the rest of the tricks. (Whenever East covers, ruff and reenter dummy with a
trump to discard your remaining club losers.)
This hand was adopted from the book THE HOG IN THE 21ST CENTURY by Phillip and Robert King.
The West hand: S. 73 H. 542 D. QJ983 C. AK10
The East hand: S. 94 H. A8763 D. 1075 C. J92
THE BOTTOM LINE:
This diamond combination offers the declarer a chance for a little chicanery if a quick discard is needed in
another suit. It is a form of an avoidance play.
#40 Test Your Play
by Eddie Kantar
NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
North
S. J109
H. 74
D. QJ1083
C. Q54
South
S. AK54
H. AK6
D. K6
C. A987

Opening lead: S2 (4th best)
You play the nine from dummy and East plays the S7, count. Plan the play.
Solution
Is the lead in dummy after trick one? Sorry, you can't make the hand any longer. You no longer have a
sure entry to dummy's diamonds assuming they win the second diamond with the ace.
A stronger play is to win the opening lead with the king and drive out the DA. Say someone wins the
second diamond and shifts to a heart. You win the king and lead a low spade forcing a dummy entry. Now,
no matter what they do, you have ten tricks: four diamonds, three spades two hearts and a club.
The West hand: S. Q862 H. Q852 D. 762 C. 32
The East hand: S. 73 H. J1093 D. A95 C. KJ106
THE BOTTOM LINE
On defense when dummy wins partner's spot card opening lead with the queen or less, third hand gives
count (S7).
As declarer with an AK stopper at notrump it is more deceptive to win the first trick with the king then the
ace. If you win the ace, the opponents will suspect another stopper because you didn't hold up.
When dummy entries are at a premium you may have to overtake a winner from dummy to conserve a
later entry.
#41 WHAT'S THE PROBLEM?
Dlr: West
Vul: Neither
North
S. A942
H. 84
D. AQ104
C. J84
South
S. J
H. QJ9
D. J2
C. AQ109752
1S Pass Pass 2C
Pass 2S (1) Pass 4C
Pass 5C All Pass
(1) Tell me more
Opening lead: SK You win the ace and East plays the 3. Plan the play.
Solution:
The fact that West did not lead a high heart indicates that East is very likely to have the ace or king of
hearts. If that's true that West must have both minor suit kings. If East had a minor suit king along with a
heart honor he would have been strong enough to respond originally. Lead the CJ to the ace at trick two.
If the king doesn't fall lead the DJ and hope West doesn't cover holding Kxx. If he makes that error,
repeat the finesse and you will be able to discard two hearts on the diamonds before West can ruff in.
The East hand: S. 863 H. K7532 D. 865 C. 63
The West hand: S. KQ1075 H. A106 D. K973 C. K
THE BOTTOM LINE
When missing the ace-king of an unbid suit and that suit isn't led, assume the opening leader doesn't
have both missing honors. That, in turn, may help you place other honors around the table.
#42 DON'T GET CARELESS!
Dlr: North
Vul: E-W
North
S.832
H. AQJ104
D. K10
C. Q104
South
S. 1096
H. 9
D. QJ4
C. AJ8632
1H Pass 1NT 2S
Pass Pass 3C All Pass
Opening lead: SA West continues with the SQ to East's king. East shifts to a low diamond to West's ace.
West cashes the SJ, East pitching a heart and continues with a 4th spade. How do you handle this ruff-
sluff that doesn't do you any good?
Solution
Better ruff it in your hand. Your only concern is picking up the CK and you should be intending to finesse
the king through East. If East happens to have all four clubs, you need all three trump in dummy to pull
off this finesse.
The West hand: S. AQJ74 H. K765 D. A862
The East hand: S. K5 H. 832 D. 97532 C. K975
THE BOTTOM LINE
Defensively, when you see there are no tricks coming from the side suits, a ruff and a sluff has a good
chance of promoting a trump trick for partner. Notice that if East had started with a 2-2-5-4 pattern, he
can discard his remaining heart on the 4th spade and now you cannot make the hand as long as East
covers the second club honor from dummy.
#43 PROPER TECHNIQUE

Dlr: North
Vul: Neither
North
S. QJ98
H. AJ9832
D. -
C. KQ5
South
S. AK102
H. -
D. AK6542
C. J73
1H Pass 2D Pass
2H Pass 2S Pass
4S Pass 5S (1) Pass
6S All Pass
(1) Asking for first or second round club control, the unbid suit.
Opening lead: C10 You play low from dummy, East wins the ace and returns a club, West following. Plan
the play.
Solution
This looks like a clear-cut crossruff hand. However, before you play a crossruff, you must count the
number of trump tricks you expect to take first. Here, you can reasonably expect to take eight trump
tricks if you can score a heart ruff with the S2. This means you must take four tricks outside of spades
and you must take take them before you begin your crossruff. You have already taken one club trick, the
ace of hearts is two and you must decide between cashing two diamonds or one diamond and one club.
Clearly it is safer to cash two diamonds.
Win the club return in dummy and play the ace and ruff a heart with the deuce; cash the AK of diamonds
and then crossruff diamonds and heart for 12 tricks. The trap is not to try to cash a third club period.
The West hand: S. 6543 H. K7 D. 108 C. 109842
The East hand: S. 7 H. Q10654 D. QJ973 C. A6
Yes, if East returns a trump at trick two the contract is defeated.
#44 KEEPING YOUR COOL
Dlr: East
Vul: Neither
North
S. J1086
H. AQ
D. AKQ4
C. 1076
South (you)
S. AKQ94
H. J4
D. 632
C. J54
East South West North
1C 1S Pass 4S
All Pass
Opening lead: C2
East quickly cashes three top clubs, West following, and shifts to a trump. Trumps are 2-2. What is your
plan?
Solution:
It is clear that East must have the HK to have an opening bid, so scratch the finesse plan. If diamonds
break 3-3, you won't need the heart finesse, but what if they don't?
You are still alive if EAST has the four diamonds along with the HK. Draw trump, cash the HA (it only hurts
for a little while) and play off all of your reamaing spades, discarding the heart queen, and keep all four
diamonds in the dummy. In your hand you have three little diamond and the HJ.
If poor East was dealt four diamonds, he must save all four and must discard the HK. Voila, your heart
jack is high and you have landed your game. Don't tell anyone, but you have just made a Vienna Coup
(cashing the HA early).
The West hand: S. 75 H. 876532 D. 107 C. 832
The East hand: S. 32 H. K109 D. J985 C. AKQ9
#45 NOTRUMP THINKING
Dlr: North
Vul: Neither
North
S. AQ2
H. KQ753
D. A2
C. A76
South
S. K76
H. 104
D. K1098
C. 10985
1H Pass 1NT Pass
3NT All Pass
Opening lead: SJ What is your plan?
Solution
The way to attack most notrump problems is to count your sure tricks OUTSIDE of the suit you plan to
establish. In this case hearts is that suit and you have 6 tricks outside of hearts. Therefore you are looking
for the best play to secure THREE heart tricks.
The answer is to start by leading a low heart from dummy toward the ten. This play wins whenever East
has Jx or AJxx; 3-3 breaks are irrelevant. If the 10 loses to the jack, lead the second heart from the
closed hand.
The West hand: S. J10985 H. 82 D. Q765 C. Q2
The East hand: S. 43 H. AJ96 D. J43 C. KJ43
#46 THE RIGHT WAY HOME
Dlr: North
Vul: Both
North
S. K87
H. A2
D. A63
C. A9842
South
S. 64
H. 7
D. KQJ10985
C. K73
1NT 3H 4D Pass
5D All Pass
Opening lead: H5 Plan the play
Solution
The idea is to set up the clubs without letting West in to hurt you with a damaging spade shift if East has
the ace.
The way to do this is to duck the opening lead around to your seven of hearts! In effect you are trading a
club loser for a heart loser but keeping West off lead in the process.
Say East returns a heart. You discard a club, cash the DK and then go about your business in clubs
playing the king-ace and ruffing a club high. If the suit breaks 3-2, draw trump and discard both of your
losing spades on dummy's two established clubs.
Even if clubs are 4-1, you live if East started with a 4-7-1-1 distribution. In that case you still have two
more trump entries to set up the fifth club for one spade pitch.
The West hand: S. Q9832 H. Q95 D. 74 C. QJ6
The East hand: S. AJ10 H. KJ108643 D. 2 C. 105
#47 HAVING A PLAN
Dlr: East
Vul:N-S
North
S. A432
H. AQ1086
D. KJ
C. 42
South
S. QJ1098
H. KJ9
D. 763
C. A10
1C 1S Pass 4S
Pass Pass Pass
Opening lead: C3 East plays the king. Plan the play.
Solution to #47
You have to look ahead on this one. With the CQ marked in the West hand, East is likely to have all of the
missing honors. If you win the first club and take a spade finesse, East will win, put West in with a club
and then take two more diamonds when West returns the suit.
It is easy enough to avoid this diamond switch if you duck the opening lead. Now East can't put West in
with the CQ, and you will be able to discard two diamonds on the hearts eventually losing one club, one
spade and one diamond. Don't play too quickly to the first trick! Give the hand a little thought.
The West hand: S. 65 H. 54 D. 98542 C. Q763
The East hand: S. K7 H. 732 D. AQ10 C. KJ985
#48 PAR CONTEST HAND
Years ago some universities and colleges participated in a par contest called the Intercollegiate Bridge
Tournament. 18 par hands were distributed to the various participating schools. These hands are never
published until after the tournament is over. The idea is to earn as many "par points" as possible on each
hand. This hand is an example:
Dlr: South
Vul: Neither
North
S. KJ87
H. AK75
D. 72
C. J42
South
S. AQ1095
H. 4
D. A42
C. Q653
1S Pass 3S (1) Pass
4S All Pass
(1) Game Forcing Raise. In those days people didn't play limit jump raises.
Opening lead: DK Plan the play.
This is the official solution:

Play Par: North-South
South must win the opening lead (1 point), cash the HAK, discarding a diamond, ruff a heart high, draw
two rounds of trump ending in dummy and ruff dummy's last heart. (3 points if the lead is now in the
South hand). Now he must exit with a diamond (1 point).
Play Analysis: South has one diamond loser and three potential club losers. The third club loser can be
eliminated if the opponents can be forced to lead a club or give declarer a ruff and a sluff. To accomplish
this, South must hope for a 2-2 spade break and strip both his hand and dummy of all red cards.
By discarding a diamond on dummy's second high heart, evening up the diamond suit to one diamond on
each side, he can pull off this throw-in play and force a club switch. If the trumps do not split 2-2, South
must attack clubs and hope for a favorable position (ace-king in either hand or guess which hand has a
singleton or doubleton honor and play accordingly).
#49 STAYING ALERT
Dlr: West
Vul: East-West
IMP scoring
North
S. A8
H. 962
D. KQ74
C. 10983
South (you)
S. KJ10974
H. 843
D. 109
C. KJ
1H Pass 1NT (1) 2S
All Pass
(1) Not forcing
Opening lead: HQ
East wins the ace and king of hearts and shifts to the C4. Before reading on, which club do you play? Play
the CJ. East can't have the AK of hearts and the Ace of clubs, bid 1NT and then pass 2S! Please.
O.K The jack drives out the ace, West cashes a third heart, East discarding a low diamond, and exits a
club to your king. Now what?
Solution
Unless East-West are playing 2 over 1 as a game force (which would have been mentioned), East cannot
have 11 HCP (which means no SQ) for that 1NT response. East has already turned up with 9 HCP. Win the
club and run the SJ.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
1. As declarer you must know what system the opponents are playing.
2. Playing "standard", a 1NT response to a major suit opening bid shows a max of 10 HCP and seldom
that many.
3. As an aside: If the opponents are playing "2 over 1" and a 1NT responder has 10+ HCP he is expected
to bid twice.
The West hand: S. Q62 H. QJ1075 D. AJ C. A72
The East hand: S. 53 H. AK D. 86532 C. Q654
#50 GOOD TECHNIQUE

Dlr: West
Vul: East-West
Matchpoints
North
S. 8752
H. J7
D. KJ10
C. 6432
South
S. J63
H. KQ10953
D. A75
C. K
1NT (1) Pass Pass 2H
All Pass
(1) 15-17
Opening lead: SA
West continues with king, queen and ten of spades, East discarding the CQ and the D2. What is your
plan?
Solution
You should ruff the fourth spade and get out with the HK. If West wins the ace and exits with a heart,
draw trump and lead the CK to see who has the ace. If West has the ace, then East must have the DQ as
West has already turned up with 17 HCP.
If East has either ace, play West for the DQ as he needs it to have 15 HCP.
THE BOTTOM LINE:
1. When looking for a queen (DQ) that can be finessed in either direction, try to play that suit last for two
reasons: (1) By locating the honors in the other suits and using the bidding to guide you, you will surely
have a better idea of who has the queen; (2) A relative or a close friend my lead the suit for you.
2. Playing the CK is an example of a "discovery" play. Once you see who has the CA, you will know who
has the DQ.
The West hand: S. AKQ10 H. A62 D. 984 C. A75
The East hand: S. 94 H. 84 D. Q632 C. QJ1098
#51 DUPLICATION OF LOSERS
Dlr: North
Vul: Neither
Matchpoints
North
S. A3
H. J863
D. 643
C. KQ74
South
S. KQ5
H. AQ97
D. J75
C. A92
Pass Pass 1NT Pass
2C Pass 2H Pass
4H All Pass
Opening lead: D10
West, that scoundrel, gets of to the best lead. East cash the AKQ of diamonds, West following, and shifts
to the SJ. Over to you.
Solution
This one is a gimme! East, a passed hand, has already turned up with 10 HCP which means West has the
HK. Your only chance is play the HA at trick five hope to drop the king.
THE BOTTOM LINE
1. When a passed hand turns up with 10 HCP, play the partner for any missing queen, king, or ace.
The West hand: S. 7642 H. K D. 10982 C. J653
The East hand: S. J1098 H. 10542 D. AKQ C. 108
#52 PARTNER IS COUNTING ON YOU
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
North
S. 63
H. 10
D.Q65432
C. AQ95
South
S. A75
H. AQ654
D. -
C. KJ742
1H Pass 1NT Pass
2C Pass 3C Pass
3S Pass 5C All Pass
Opening lead: SK East plays the S9. Plan the play
Solution
Even though is likely that West will continue a spade, why take a chance? You have a likely 11 tricks on a
crossruff and a trump switch will force you to alter your strategy.
Win the SA, cash the HA, ruff a heart low, ruff a diamond low, ruff a heart low, ruff a diamond low, ruff a
heart, ruff a diamond low, ruff another heart and take your 10 and 11th trick with the KJ of clubs.
The West hand: S. KQ102 H. 873 D. AJ8 C. 1086
The East hand: S. J984 H. KJ92 D. K1097 C. 3
THE BOTTOM LINE
When both hands have short suits, consider playing on crossruff lines.
Though it is normal technique to duck the trick holding xx facing Axx in the closed hand, it isn't right if
you can't stand a trump switch.
When leading ace from ace-king and king from king-queen, third hand normally signals encouragement
with the jack when the king is led but not when the ace is led.
#53 PLAYING A GRAND
Dlr: North
Vul: None
North
S. AKQ
H. K2
D. A43
C. AK1054
South
S. J9643
H. A1043
D. Q10
C. Q2
2C (1) Pass 2S (2) Pass
3S Pass 4H(3) Pass
4NT (4)Pass 5C (5) Pass
7S All Pass
(1) Strong and artificial
(2) Natural. No particular suit strength promised
(3) Setting the suit-always a good idea
(4) Cuebid
(5) RKB with 1430 responses
(6) 1 keycard
Opening lead: D5 Plan the play
Solution
Win the DA (too risky to duck) and play the AK of spades. If spades are 3-2 or the S10 has dropped
singleton, play the king-ace and ruff a heart, return to the CQ and play all your remaining spades. Your
last three cards should be the H10, the DQ and the C2, dummy having the AK10 of clubs.
If the player with the DK or the long heart started with four clubs, he will have already been squeezed. If
nothing exciting appears when you draw trump, play the AK10 of clubs and hope the jack obliges.
If someone started with the 10xxx of spades, draw trump and hope the clubs come in for five tricks.
West: S. 1075 H.Q876 D. J975 C. 96
East: S. 82 H. J95 D. K862 C. J873
THE BOTTOM LINE:
When you have all the tricks but one, be sure to play off ALL of your trumps before cashing your
remaining winners. If a squeeze exists, it is the last trump that finishes off the "squeezee". In this case
East is squeezed in the minors on the last spade. Play it out.
#54 GETTING THERE
Dlr: East
Vul: Neither
IMP scoring
North
S. Q43
H. QJ1092
D. 6432
C. 2
South
S. A1062
H. AK
D. AKQ95
C. J3
1C Dbl. Pass 1H
2C 3D Pass 5D
All Pass
Opening lead: C10. East wins with the queen and continues with the CA, West following with the C6. Plan
your play.
Solution
In order to reach dummy's hearts to discard spades, you have to be able to get to dummy with a trump. If
trumps are divided 2-2, there is no problem, but if trumps are 3-1, it could get sticky.
In order to safeguard against a 3-1 diamond division, discard a spade (or a heart at trick two). East dare
not lead a spade from his known king, and will have to find some other suit to lead. If he leads a heart,
say, win the heart, play the AKQ of diamonds, unblock any remaining high heart and cross to dummy with
the D5 to dummy's 6 to enjoy dummy's hearts.
Had East returned yet another club at trick three, ruff with the NINE in your hand, discard a spade from
dummy, draw trump, unblock the hearts, and once again cross to the D6 to use the hearts.
THE BOTTOM LINE
When the only side suit entry to dummy is a late entry in the trump suit, one technique to preserve that
entry is to refuse an early dummy force, particularly in a suit in which both declarer and dummy will be
void after the force is refused. If yet another round of the force suit is led, the ruff can be taken in the
closed hand to preserve dummy's late trump entry.
#55 THE BEST WAY
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
IMP scoring
North
S. A 9
H. 8 6 5
D. 6 5 4 3 2
C. K 6 5
South
S. J 7 5
H. A Q 4
D. A K Q
C. A Q 4 2
Opening lead: S3 (4th best leads)
Hopefully you play low from dummy but East comes up with the queen and returns the 6, West playing
the deuce. Undaunted you cash the DAK only to see West discard the H2. Now what?
Solution
You still have several chances. Continue with the ace-queen and a club to dummy's king. If clubs are 3-3,
your fourth club is your ninth trick. If West has four clubs, take the heart finesse. If East has four clubs,
return to the DA and exit with the SJ. West can take his three spade winners but in the end will have to
lead a heart into your AQ for tricks number eight and nine.
The West hand: S. K 10 8 3 2 H. K 9 7 3 2 D. 10 C. 10 9
The East hand: S. Q 6 4 H. J 10 D. J 9 8 7 C. J 7 6 3
THE BOTTOM LINE
With two five card suits to choose from, lead from the one that has two honor cards as opposed to the one
that has only one. .
When returning partner's suit, with two cards remaining, return the higher; with three cards remaining,
return the lowest.
Consider throw in plays rather than finesses if the player being throw in will eventually have to lead your
finesse suit and save you the trouble.
#56 LOOKING FOR THAT EXTRA CHANCE
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
Matchpoints
North
S. J 8 5
H. 6 4 3
D. A 3 2
C. K 7 6 3
South
S. A K Q 7 6 4
H. K 7 5
D. 9
C. A 8 5
1S Pass 2S Pass
4S All Pass
Opening lead: DK Plan the play (Whenever you lead a spade, both follow)
Solution
Duck the opening lead! The idea is to try to establish a long club in dummy (if they break 3-3) without
letting East (the danger hand) in to push a heart through your king. If you duck the opening lead, you can
win the likely diamond return, discarding a club, exchanging a club loser for a diamond loser, ruff a
diamond, cash the SA and play the ace-king and ruff a club high. If clubs break 3-3, draw trump ending in
dummy and pitch a heart on dummy's remaining club. Notice that East could not get in to lead a heart
when clubs are 3-3. Now you can try for an overtrick by leading up to the HK. If East has four clubs
(tough luck) you are reduced to leading up to the HK. But if West has four clubs, you have additional
chances. Enter dummy with the SJ and if spades are 2-2, exit dummy with a club pitching a heart. West
wins but has to lead a heart (or give you a ruff and a sluff) and you prevail.
The West hand: S. 9 3 H. A 10 8 2 D. K Q 10 7 C. 8 4 2
The East hand: S. 10 2 H. Q J 9 D. J 8 6 5 4 C. Q J 10
You also win when West started with something like this:
S. x x H. A 10 x D. KQ x x C. J 10 x x
THE BOTTOM LINE
When the play is to try to keep the danger hand off lead in the suit you are planning to establish (clubs), a
suit that has an inevitable third round loser, consider allowing the opening leader to hold the first trick
even though you have the ace of the suit that was led (diamonds) facing a singleton in your hand!
Leading up to an unprotected king is usually a last resort measure; trying to set up dummy's long suit
takes precedence.
#57 DON'T ASK
North
S. AKQJ
H. 6
D. AK75
C. AQ98
South
S. 65
H. A83
D. 643
C. K7643
You don't want to know how you avoided the near-laydown contract of 7C to arrive at 6NT, so don't ask.
However, here you are and the lead is the HQ, East playing the 7. Plan the play.
Solution
Notice the club block? If clubs are 3-1, you can only take four tricks in the suit.... unless you duck the
opening lead! If you do, and a heart is returned, you can discard a club from dummy liberating the suit. If
a heart is not returned, and West shifts to a spade or a diamond, win in dummy and play the AQ of clubs.
If clubs are 2-2, cash the C9, overtake the 8 and you have 12 tricks: five clubs, four spades two diamonds
and a heart. If clubs are 3-1, cross to the CK and discard dummy's last club on the HA and take the same
12 tricks.
The West hand: S. 1082 H. QJ1092 D. J6 C. J105
The East hand: S. 9743 H. K743 D. Q1096 C. 2
THE BOTTOM LINE
Keep your eyes open for blocked suits. The trick is to unblock a high spot card from the short side
(discarding a club on the ace of hearts).
#58 THINKING FORWARD

Dlr: North
Vul: Neither
North
S. KQ6
H. A
D. K108
C. Q98763
South
S. A75
H. QJ1094
D. A5
C. J104
1C Pass 1H Pass
2C Pass 3NT All Pass
Opening lead: D3 Plan the play
Solution
The sure road to nine tricks is to establish the hearts for four tricks. In order to do that you need two hand
entries after unblocking the HA. The sure trick play is to win the DK at trick one, cash the HA, cross to the
SA and drive out the HK. You still have the DA to get back to your hand and nine tricks are yours: four
hearts, two diamonds and three spades.
You may not have time to set up the clubs if diamonds are divided 5-3 (see actual layout). East can win
the first club and continue diamonds. When West gets in with the CK he has enough established diamonds
to defeat the contract.
The West hand: S. J92 H. K76 D. Q7632 C. K2
The East hand: S. 10843 H. 8532 D. J94 C. A5
THE BOTTOM LINE:
1. Look over the entire hand before deciding upon your line of play.
2. When dealing with a blocked suit, consider entry problems to the hand that has the greater length.
3. The normal play from dummy (when hand entries are not the problem) with this diamond holding is the
eight, catering to West having led from honor-nine, twice as likely as the QJ in which case the 10 is the
winning play.
#59 TEMPORARY MISFORTUNE
Dlr: West
Vul. Both
North
S. AKQ10
H. AQ6
D. 10975
C. A2
South
S. 52
H. 984
D. 2
C. KQ98763
1D Dbl. Pass 4C
Pass 6C All Pass
Opening lead: DK West continues with the DA, East playing the three and then the six. You ruff and
lead a club to the ace, West discarding a diamond. Now what?
Solution
In order to make this hand you are going to have to organize a trump coup to preven East from scoring a
trump trick with his remaining J105 of clubs. This is how you do it. Lead a club from dummy to your king,
East splitting his honors. Cash three rounds of spades discarding a heart and ruff a diamond. You remain
with the Q98 of clubs and two little hearts. East has the J5 of clubs and three hearts. Cross to the HQ and
ruff a spade or a diamond, reenter dummy with the HA at trick 11 and take the last two tricks with your
Q9 hovering over East's J5 the lead in DUMMY.
THE BOTTOM LINE
When trying to execute a trump coup you must reduce your trump length to that of your opponent and
wind up in dummy at trick 11.
#60 WHY DON'T SUITS EVER BREAK FOR ME?
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
North
S. J7
H. J43
D. 1093
C. AK752
South
S. A1098
H. AK102
D. K5
C. Q43
1NT Pass 3NT All pass
Opening lead: D4 (4th best). East wins the ace and returns the 8 to your king and West's deuce. At trick
three you lead the CQ and then a club. On this club West discards the S4. Plan the play.
Solution
You can't let the opponents in again as it appears diamonds are 5-3. You are going to have to work with
hearts, a suit where you are missing but one honor, and bring in the suit for four tricks. Proper play is to
cross to the HA in case either player has a singleton queen, return to dummy with a club and lead a low
heart to the ten, catering to Qx of hearts with East hand. If East has Qxx of hearts it doesn't matter
whether you lead the jack or a little one and if East started with Q9xx of hearts, East will cover the jack,
so the little one is clearly best.
#61 HOW DID WE GET THERE?
North
S. -
H. 7432
D. A1098
C. QJ843
South
S. AK42
H. A
D. K65432
C. 109
After you open 1D and West overcalls 1H, you get to 3NT. West leads the HK. Plan the play.
Solution
Have you noticed the diamonds are blocked? Win the HA and cross to the DA. If both follow, cross to the
DK and discard dummy's two remaining diamonds on the AK of spades. This play has just liberated your
four remaing small diamonds allowing you to take nine tricks: six diamonds, two spades and a heart. The
hand is also cold for 5D if diamonds are 2-1, but this is so much more fun.
The West hand: S. J1075 H. KQJ108 D. Q C. K65
The East hand: S. Q9865 H. 965 D. J7 C. K65
THE BOTTOM LINE

When entries are at a premium and you are trying to take an uninterrupted number of tricks in a blocked
suit (the shorter hand having the high intermediates) one way of liberating the suit is to discard one or
more of the intermediates on side suit winners from the long hand.
#62 ONE WORD FROM YOU
Dlr: West
Vul: E-W
North
S. J942
H. Q10
D. K3
C. Q8762
South
S. AKQ108
H. 3
D. Q764
C. K43
2H (1) Pass 4H 4S
Pass Pass Pass
(1) Weak
West leads the king-ace of hearts. Plan the play.
Solution
The bottom line is that you have to avoid losing two clubs tricks; not easy with this haolding. However, if
either defender has Ax, and you lead the suit from the proper hand, you can do it. As East is marked with
the CA, (weak twos don't have an AK and an outside ace, please!) ruff the heart, high, and play the Ace
and a spade to the nine. If both follow, lead a club to the king and assuming it wins duck a club. If spades
are 3-1, play a third spade retaining the lead in dummy and make the same club play. It's your only
chance and it's called a "finesse obligata". Are you impressed with yourself or what?
The West hand: S. 63 H. AKJ842 D. 109 C. J95
The East hand: S 85 H. 9765 D. AJ852 C. A10
THE BOTTOM LINE
In supported suits, the king is led from the AK(x) Why? Because in supported suits one often leads an
ace without the king.
With Kxx facing Qxxxx or vice versa, to avoid losing two tricks in the suit, one opponent must have Ax.
Determine who that opponents is and force that opponent to play second to the trick when you start with
a low card.
#63 STOPPERS HERE, STOPPERS THERE, STOPPERS EVERYWHERE
Dlr: South
Vul: N-S
North
S. Q109
H. A62
D. 842
C. KJ74
South
S. KJ8
H. Q75
D. KQJ
C. AQ109
1NT 2H 3NT All Pass
Opening lead: H10. You play low from dummy and East plays the J. Plan the play
Solution
With both missing aces more or less marked with West, and West also marked with a six card suit, duck
the JH. (Call 911 if East produces a second heart!). Assuming East has no more hearts, you can knock
out the spade and diamond aces before West can set up hearts.
The West hand: S. A6 H. K109843 D. A75 C. 82
The East hand: S. 75432 H. J D. 10963 C. 653
#64 TAKE YOUR TRICKS
Dlr: South
Vul: Both
North
S. 432
H. K83
D. K84
C. 10753
South
S. AKJ76
H. AQ75
D. 76
C. J4
1S Pass 2S All Pass
Opening lead: DQ
You duck the opening lead and duck again when West continues with the D10. At trick three West exits
with the D2 to East's ace. Plan the play.
Solution
You have lost two diamond tricks, you are going to lose two clubs tricks so you have to hold your major
suit losers to one trick. lYour best % shot for one loser is to ruff the third diamond and play the AK of
spades, disdaining the finesse. Assuming spades are a civilized 3-2 (68%), play the AKQ of hearts. If a
high heart is ruffed with the SQ, no matter- that was a loser anyway. The bonus is that if you play this
way you can always ruff your 4th heart in dummy, if necessary.
The West hand: S. Q98 H. 96 D. QJ102 C. AQ62
The East hand: S. 105 H J1042 D. A953 C. K98
THE BOTTOM LINE
When responding to a 1H or 1S opening bid with three card support, 6 HCP (even some 7 HCP hands)
along with a 4-3-3-3 hand, pattern it is usually right to respond 1NT rather than raise the major. An
immediate raise should show a slightly more encouraging hand.
A 4-3 fit in a side suit inclluding the AKQ facing a 5-3 trump fit that includes the AKJ is usually better
served by playing the AK of trump and then the AKQ of the side suit. If trumps are 3-2, at most one trick
will be lost. If a trump finesse is taken and it loses, there is a good chance of losing two tricks if the side
suit breaks 4-2. However, if a trick cannot be afford to lost, a finesse in the trump suit is the proper play.
#65 KEEPING TRACK
Dlr: West
Vul: Neither
North
S. 9876
H. J109
D. K98
C. K65
South
S. AK1054
H. 765
D. Q104
C. A2
1NT (1) Pass Pass 2S
Pass 3S All Pass
(1) 15-17
Opening lead: HQ (Q from AKQ)
West cashes three hearts, East following up the line, and shifts to the CQ. You win the ace and play the AK
of spades, West having Qx, East Jx. How do you play diamonds for one loser?
Solution
West has shown up with 9 HCP in hearts, presumably 3 in clubs and the SQ for a total of 14 HCP. West
cannot have the DA (too many HCP) but must have the DJ
to climb to 15 HCP. Lead a diamond to the nine.
The West hand: S. Q3 H. AKQ2 D. J75 C. QJ94

The East hand: S. J2 H. 843 D. A632 C. 10873
THE BOTTOM LINE:
Some players lead the Q from the AKQ on opening lead. Third hand is supposed to give count.
Use the bidding to guide you in the play. When one player has a known point count, keep track of the HCP
that come out of that player's hand. That information may help you in the play of a particular suit.
#66 BREATHER
Dlr: South
Vul: North-South
North
S. 754
H. AQJ3
D. J10943
C. A
South
S. A86
H. 54
D. AKQ87
C. J42
1D 1S Dbl. Pass
2D Pass 5D All Pass
Opening SK East plays the S9. Plan the play
Solution
If West has the HK, you can't go down no matter what you do at trick one. However, if East has the HK it
is right to win the first spade if East has a singleton spade, but wrong if he has a doubleton spade. Which
is more likely? The doubleton scenrio is more likely. If East had a singleton spade, West would have
started with KQJ10xx and would be more likely to have overcalled 2S, weak, particularly at the prevailing
vulnerabilty. Win the second spade, draw trump and take the heart finesse. If it works you have an
overtrick, if it loses, you still make your contract.
The West hand: S. KQJ103 H. 982 D. 5 C. K763
The East hand: S. 92 H. K1076 D. 62 C. Q10853
THE BOTTOM LINE
With Axx facing xxx, wining the second round of the suit cuts the communications between the defenders'
hands if the suit is divided 5-2.
#67 TALK ABOUT COMING TO LIFE!
Dlr: West
Vul: Both
North
S. A9753
H. AK4
D. J973
C. A
South
S. -
H. 86532
D. AQ108654
C. Q

2S (1) Pass 3C 3D
3S 6D! All Pass
(1) Weak
Opening lead: SK Plan the play
Solution
If you have a diamond loser, you must avoid a heart loser. In order to do that, you must plan on
throwing in the defender who started with Kx of diamonds with the DK when he is out of hearts
(hopefully). SA pitching a heart, ruff a spade and play the DA. If East shows out on the DA. Cross to the
HK, ruff a spade, back to the HA, ruff a spade, enter dummy with the CA and ruff dummy's last spade.
The stage is set. Exit a diamond. If West started with 1 or two hearts, he will be forced to concede a ruff
and a sluff and the heart loser will vanish.
If West shows out on the DA, cash the HAK and the CA, ruff a spade and exit a trump. If East started
with a 2-2-2-7 pattern, he will have to exit a club and once again your heart loser will vanish.
The West hand: S. KQJ1086 H. 97 D. K2 C. J103
The East hand: S. 42 H. QJ10 D. - C. K9876542
THE BOTTOM LINE
In a strip and throw in ending with a trump loser and a one loser side suit headed by AKx facing xxx,
xxxx, or xxxxx. Strip the side suit and cash the AK of the 'certain' loser suit before exiting a trump. If the
player who wins the trump exit is now void in that suit, you will not lose a trick in the 'certain' loser suit.
#68 YOU DON'T SAY!
Dlr: West
Vul: Both
North
S. 762
H. 762
D. 9542
C. 872
South
S. AKQJ1085
H. A
D. AQ
C. AK6
3H Pass Pass 6S
All Pass
Opening lead: HK
You win the opening lead (nice play) and plunk down the SA, East discarding a diamond. Plan the play.
Solution
With West holding a likely 10 major suit cards, your best bet is to play East to have the DK and be
guarding both minors suits.
Play off each and every one of your spades reducing to the AQ of diamonds and the AK6 of clubs.
Assuming East is guarding both minors, East's last three cards will surely be three clubs and Kx of
diamonds. Play the AK and a club. After East wins and returns a diamond, stick in the queen. You only
live once.
The West hand: S. 943 H. KQJ10983 D. 8 C. Q5

The East hand: S. - H. 54 D. KJ10763 C. J10943
THE BOTTOM LINE
When one defender is presumed to be guarding two suits, it is often possible to throw him in with one of
the suits to force a favorable return in the other.
#69 CUT, CUT, CUT!
Dlr: North
Vul: E-W
North
S. A
H. J842
D. QJ6
C. AQ1086
South
S. QJ1098753
H. K
D. -
C. J754
North
S. QJ1098753
H. K
D. -
C. J754
1C 1H 4S All Pass
Opening lead: C3 Plan the play
Solution
You are clearly being threatened with a singleton lead so the first step is to rise with the ace. The next
problem is how to avoid a club ruff. A worse case scenario find West with the Kxx of spades, getting in
with the SK, leading a heart to partner's ace, and eventually ruffing a club after East cashes the CK. In
order to stop this you have to prevent East from getting in with the HA! It can be done if the diamond
honors are divided. At trick two lead the DQ. If East plays low, discard the HK. So much for East's heart
entry. If East plays the DA, say) ruff, cross to the SA and lead the DJ. As long as West has the DK, you
are alive and well. On the DJ you will discard the HK and then the most you can lose is the SK. Don't look
now, but you have just perfromed a 'Scissors Coup', you have cut the communications between the East-
West hands by making a loser on a loser play and transferring a trick to the non-danger hand (West)
away from the danger hand (East).
The West hand: S. K62 H. 963 D. K107542 C. 3

The East hand S. 4 H. AQ1074 D. A983 C. K96
#70 ONE WAY TO GO
Dlr: South
Vul: Neither
North
S. AJ5
H. KQ4
D. 7642
C. 763
South
S. KQ9
H. J652
D. AKQ
C. AKQ
2C Pass 2D (1) Pass
2NT Pass 4NT Pass
6NT All Pass
Opening lead: DJ Plan the play
Solution
You have 9 fast top tricks outside of hearts, and barring an unlikely 3-3 diamond division, the only suit
you can develop for an extra trick is in the heart suit where you have two slow tricks. If hearts are 3-3, no
problem, but if they are 4-2, the only holding East-West holding that allows to take three tricks is when
West has Ax. Win the opening lead and continue with a ow heart to the queen. Assuming it holds, return
to your hand with a diamond (say), and lead a second heart toward the king. If West plays the ace, you
have 12 tricks. If the king holds, grit your teeth and play a third heart hoping for that 3-3 break.
The West hand: S. 1072 H. A9 D. J10983 C. 1085
The East hand: S. 8643 H. 10873 D. 5 C. J942
THE BOTTOM LINE
With KQx facing Jxxx, the best play for three tricks is to lead up to KQ twice if necessary.

#1 Two-Suiter: Solution

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#1 Two-Suiter: Solution

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#1 TWO-SUITER

THE BOTTOM LINE:

#2 THE RIGHT CARDS

THE BOTTOM LINE:

With high honors in partner's long suits bid aggressively.

THE BOTTOM LINE:

THE BOTTOM LINE

West hand: S. 1052 H. J864 D. A2 C. 10875

#7 ONCE IN A LIFETIME-DON'T BLOW IT

#8 UP OR DOWN MR. BROWN?

#9 WILD MAN, WILD

THE BOTTOM LINE

#10 KEY CARD BLACKWOOD ANYONE?

#11 WHERE'S THERE'S EIGHT, THERE MUST BE NINE

West hand: S. KQ1076 H. 74 D. Q4 C. J964

#12 SUCH A BEAUTIFUL SLAM

West hand: S. 7 H. Q98 D. Q1087 C. 109852

THE BOTTOM LINE

#13 THE TEST

#14 Defensive Boo Boo

THE BOTTOM LINE

# 15 WRONG CONTRACT, AGAIN

#16 IMAGINATIVE RAISE

#17 GOOD EVENING

THE BOTTOM LINE

#18 HEART ATTACK

#19 YOUR BEST SHOT?

THE BOTTOM LINE

#20 NOT TOO SCIENTIFIC

#21 DON'T COME HOME LAME ON THIS ONE

Both sides vulnerable

THE BOTTOM LINE

#22 THE CASE OF THE MISSING BLACK QUEENS

THE BOTTOM LINE

#23 FORCING STAYMAN

THE BOTTOM LINE

#24 COUNT YOUR TRICKS!

THE BOTTOM LINE

#25 WHO'S GOT WHAT?

THE BOTTOM LINE

This is an unusual spade combination that it pays to be familiar with.

#27 Sporting Raise

#28 You Don't Want To Know

#29 That Extra Chance

North East South West

#30 PERFECT CONTRACT

THE BOTTOM LINE

Jump raises of overcalls are preemptive.

#31 IT LOOKS SO EASY

THE BOTTOM LINE

#32 BLEAK DUMMY

THE BOTTOM LINE

#33 BETTER LEFT UNMENTIONED

THE BOTTOM LINE

#34 NOW YOU SEE IT, NOW YOU DON'T

South West North East

#35 WEAK TWO IN ACTION

THE BOTTOM LINE

#36 TOUCHY SUITS

THE BOTTOM LINE

#37 BONUS HAND (TWO PARTS)

THE BOTTOM LINE