Lesson 4A, Page 1 Card Combinations by Richard Pavlicek

A s declarer you must know

how to handle various card
combinations. This lesson
explains the proper techniques. It is
assumed that declarer has adequate
•
Missing the Queen
Finesse with 8 cards or fewer.

Before finessing for a queen, first

•
Missing the King
Finesse with 10 cards or fewer.

When finessing for a king, do not

entries to either hand, there is no cash the ace or king if this does not lead an unsupported honor unless
need to prevent a specific opponent restrict your ability to finesse— you you will benefit if the next player
from gaining the lead, and the en- might drop a singleton queen. covers with the king.
emy hands are unknown.
In cases where declarer has entry 5. AJ54
problems, special considerations or K32
knowledge about the enemy hands,
Cash the king then finesse the jack.
these rules are only guidelines — it
may be necessary to invent a differ-
6. A K J 10 5 12. AQ654
ent play to your advantage.
432 J32
Cash the king (or ace) then return to your
Missing the Jack Do not lead the jack. Lead the two and
hand in another suit to finesse the jack.
finesse the queen; if it wins, cash the ace.
• Finesse with 6 cards or fewer. 7. A K J 10 5
Your only chance to avoid a loser is to find
West with K-x.
32
In most cases you will have 7 or 13. AQJ4
more cards, so you should play to Take a first-round finesse. If you were to
cash the ace or king first, you would not be 10 3 2
drop a jack; however, the order in able to finesse twice — that is, you could
which you cash the ace, king and Do not lead the 10. Lead the two and
not capture Q-x-x-x in the West hand. finesse the jack (or queen); if it wins, later
queen is often important. Arrange lead the three and finesse the queen.
your plays so you will be able to 8. AK54
finesse if an opponent shows out. J932 14. A J 10 3
Cash the ace and king. There is no simple Q92
1. AQ954
finesse available so your best chance is to Here you could afford to lead the queen
K 10 3 2 drop the queen. (if covered you have four tricks). But it is
Cash the ace (or queen) first. If either better technique to lead the nine first. This
opponent shows out, you can finesse the 9. AJ976 allows you to keep the lead in your hand in
other opponent for the jack. case West refuses to cover with the king.
K5432
2. AQ954 Cash the king first. You do not expect to 15. AJ983
finesse, but East might show out to reveal
K832 a proven finesse against West. Q2
Cash the king first. The only 4-0 break Lead the queen. If it loses to the king,
you can cope with is if West has four, and 10. 10 4 3 cash the ace and jack hoping to drop the 10.
you must lead the king to discover this. If the queen is covered, win the ace; return
AKJ82 to your hand in a different suit and finesse
3. A Q 10 4 Cash the ace, cross to dummy in another the nine.
suit then lead the 10. This allows you to
•
K32 pick up Q-9-x-x in East — he must cover If a trick must always be lost, it
Cash the ace (or queen) then the king. with the queen, then West will show out to is usually best to cash the ace.
Unless East shows out giving you a proven reveal a guaranteed finesse for the nine.
finesse, you will next win the queen.
11. K94 16. QJ654
4. A Q 10 3 A J 10 3 2 A32
K2
You could finesse either way. With no First cash the ace then lead up to the Q-J
Cash the king then finesse the 10. Note: clue it is better to cash the king and finesse (twice if necessary). It is impossible to run
On most deals there is some other suit to against East. This allows you to capture the whole suit, so your goal is to maximize
work on before trying this finesse. Q-x-x-x East or a singleton queen West. the chance to win four tricks.
Lesson 4A, Page 2 Card Combinations by Richard Pavlicek

Missing the Queen-Jack Missing the King-Jack Missing the Ace

• Finesse twice with 7 cards or • If the ace and queen are in the • Lead toward your honors.
fewer; finesse once with 8 cards. same hand: Finesse for the king
and jack with 8 cards or fewer. 30. KQ95
17. A K 10 9 4 Finesse only for the king with 9
432
32 or 10 cards.
Lead up to the king. If it wins, later lead
Finesse the 10. If it loses, finesse the nine up to the queen.
next. 24. A Q 10 5
432 31. 9654
18. A K 10 9 5
Finesse the 10. If it loses to the jack, QJ32
432 finesse the queen next. Lead up to the queen. Later lead toward
Finesse the 10. If it loses, cash the ace; if the jack.
both follow, the rest are good. 25. AQ965
• If the ace and king are in differ-
432 • If your two highest cards are not
ent hands, cash one top card be- Finesse the nine; later finesse the queen. touching, try to finesse against
fore taking any finesse. Note that you always must lose at least one the in-between card (or cards).
trick, even with the king onside.

19. A 10 9 4 26. A Q 10 7 6 32. Q 10 8 5 4

K32 5432 32
Cash the king then finesse the 10. If it Lead toward the Q-10 and finesse the 10.
Finesse the queen. If it loses to the king,
loses, finesse the nine next. Hopefully this will lose to the ace or king;
cash the ace next.
next time lead toward the queen.

Missing the King-Queen • If the ace and queen are in dif-

33. K 10 9 6
ferent hands: Cash the ace then
• finesse for the jack if possible, 5432
Finesse twice with any length.
else lead up to the queen. Finesse the ten; later finesse the nine.
This gains if West has either the jack or the
20. A J 10 5 queen (or both).
432 27. A54
Finesse the jack. If it loses, finesse the 10 Q 10 3 2 • With equal honors in each hand,
next time. Cash the ace then lead the four. If no lead to the shorter hand first.
honor appears, finesse the 10. If this loses
21. A J 10 9 6 to the jack, lead up to the queen next.
34. Q54
5432
28. A 10 6 5 K 10 3 2
With nine cards it is still best to take two
finesses; however, if this is inconvenient Q432 Lead up to the queen. Whether it wins or
(or risks a ruff if this is your trump suit), it loses, next time lead toward the K-10 and
Cash the ace then lead up to the queen. finesse the 10.
is almost as good to cash the ace first.

22. A 10 6 5 • Exception: Holding 8 cards or 35. J43

fewer including the 10, nine and Q982
J432
eight, do not cash the ace first. It
Finesse the 10. If it loses, cash the ace; is better to finesse twice. Lead up to the jack. Whether it wins or
there is no second finesse available. loses, next time finesse the nine.

23. AJ95 29. A 10 9 8 36. K7

432 Q432 Q65432
Finesse the nine first, then finesse the Lead the two and finesse the 10. If this Lead up to the king. If it wins you know
jack. You are hoping West holds K-10 or loses to the jack, finesse for the king next. that West has the ace, so it would be futile
Q-10, which is a much better chance than Note that if either hand held another card, to play the queen next — you should duck
hoping West has the K-Q. the proper play is to cash the ace first. the second round hoping the ace falls.
Exercise 4A23 Eight Ever… or Maybe? by Richard Pavlicek

How do you play K-3-2 opposite A-J-10-9-8? If you know the answer already, that’s too bad.
If you say, “It depends,” you have the potential to be an expert declarer. A card combination
is only a part of a deal — like a single tree in a forest. Test your skill on these six deals.

1. 3 NT ♠43 3. 3 NT ♠AKQ2 5. 5 ♦ ♠ A K 10 5
♥ 10 9 4 2 ♥Q952 ♥J7
♦K32 ♦K32 ♦K32
♣ A Q J 10 ♣43 ♣ 10 5 3 2
N N N
Lead: ♠ 7 W E East plays ♠ Q Lead: ♣ 5 W E East plays ♣ 9 Lead: ♥ K W E East plays ♥ A
S S S

♠A2 ♠543 ♠3
♥AK3 ♥43 ♥6532
♦ A J 10 9 8 ♦ A J 10 9 8 ♦ A J 10 9 8
♣543 ♣AQJ ♣AKQ

How many top tricks do How many top tricks do East shifts to the ♠ J! How
you have? 6 you have? 7 many hearts do you think
West held originally? 6
Which suit or suits offer a Which opponent do you
chance to succeed? ♦+♣ wish to keep off lead? West Who likely has the ♠ Q? East

What is the best play? C What is the best play? A What is the best play? A
A. Lead the ♦ J and let it ride. A. Lead the ♦ J and let it ride. A. Lead the ♦ 2 and finesse the jack.
B. Lead the ♦ J to the king then B. Lead the ♦ J to the king then finesse B. Lead the ♦ 2 to the ace then
finesse the ten. the 10. lead the jack and let it ride.
C. Lead the ♦ J to the king then C. Lead the ♦ J to the king then C. Lead the ♦ 2 to the ace then lead the
win the ace. win the ace. jack to the king.

2. 3 NT ♠6542 4. 6 NT ♠ A Q J 10 6. 6 ♦ ♠A654
♥K4 ♥ Q J 10 9 8 ♥876
♦K32 ♦K32 ♦K32
♣ 10 5 4 3 ♣6 ♣J43
N N N
Lead: ♥ 6 W E Lead: ♠ 3 W E Lead: ♥ 4 W E East plays ♥ A
S S S

♠AK ♠K ♠K32
♥Q32 ♥A ♥—
♦ A J 10 9 8 ♦ A J 10 9 8 ♦ A J 10 9 8
♣AK9 ♣ AK7432 ♣AKQ72

Which heart do you play How many top tricks? 9 You ruff the first trick.
from dummy at trick one? ♥ K Assuming normal defense,
Which suits may provide who has the ♥ K? West
You win trick one. Which the extra tricks you need? ♥ ♦ ♣
opponent is dangerous? East …who has the ♥ Q? East
Assume you win the ♠ A.
What is the best play? A What is the best play? B What is the best play? C
A. Lead the ♦ 2 and finesse the jack. A. Duck a club; if clubs do not break A. Lead the ♦ J and let it ride.
B. Win the ♦ K then lead the ♦ 2 and fi- 3-3, try the diamond finesse. B. Lead the ♦ J to the king then
nesse the jack. B. Lead the ♠ Q and discard the ♥ A. finesse the ten.
C. Lead the ♦ J and let it ride. C. Lead the ♦ 2 and finesse the jack. C. Lead the ♦ J to the king then ♦ A.
Exercise 4A23 Notes Eight Ever… or Maybe? by Richard Pavlicek

1. 3 NT ♠43 3. 3 NT ♠AKQ2 5. 5 ♦ ♠ A K 10 5
♥ 10 9 4 2 ♥Q952 ♥J7
♦K32 ♦K32 ♦K32
♣ A Q J 10 ♣43 ♣ 10 5 3 2
♠KJ975 ♠ Q 10 8 6 ♠ 10 8 ♠J976 ♠762 ♠QJ984
♥J7 N
W E
♥Q865 ♥KJ6 N
W E
♥ A 10 8 7 ♥ K Q 10 9 8 4 W N E ♥ A
♦Q 5 S ♦7 6 4 ♦Q 6 5 S ♦7 4 ♦7 6 S ♦Q 5 4
♣9862 ♣K7 ♣ K 10 8 5 2 ♣976 ♣86 ♣J974
♠A2 ♠543 ♠3
♥AK3 ♥43 ♥6532
♦ A J 10 9 8 ♦ A J 10 9 8 ♦ A J 10 9 8
Lead: ♠ 7 ♣ 5 4 3 Lead: ♣ 5 ♣ A Q J Lead: ♥ K ♣ A K Q
Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
1. W ♠7 3 Q A 1. W ♣5 3 9 J 1. W ♥K 7 A 2
2. S ♦ J! 5! K 4 2. S ♦J 5 2! 4 2. E ♠ J? 3 2 A
3. N ♦2 6 A! Q 3. S ♦ 10 6 3 7 3. N ♠K 4 ♥3 6
Cash 6 more winners Made 3 4. S ♦A Q K ♥7 4. N ♦ 2! 4 J! 6
Cash 6 more winners Made 4 5. S ♥5 Q J ♠8
You have six top tricks and two chances for 6. W ♥ 10 ♦ K! ♠ 9 6
three more: the diamonds or the clubs. The danger on this hand is the heart suit, Win the rest Made 5
After the spade lead, you cannot take both not the clubs. If you lost a diamond trick to
finesses (if one loses, you are down) so the West, you might be defeated — West could The early play indicates a blank ♥ A with
best way to improve your chances is to try switch to the ♥ J and sink your ship. Note East. Your best chance is to ruff one heart
to drop the queen of diamonds. If that that if the diamond finesse loses to East, it in dummy (with the ♦ K) and finesse East
failed, you could fall back on the club is impossible for East-West to cash four for the ♦ Q. In order to pick up ♦ Q-x-x
finesse as a last resort. heart tricks on any lie of the suit. you must take a first-round finesse.

2. 3 NT ♠6542
♥K4 4. 6 NT ♠ A Q J 10
♦K32 ♥ Q J 10 9 8
♦K32 6. 6 ♦ ♠A654
♣ 10 5 4 3
♣6 ♥876
♠J873 ♠ Q 10 9
♥ A 10 8 6 5 W N E ♥ J 9 7 ♠9753 ♠8642 ♦K32
♥7654 ♥K32 ♣J43
♦5 S ♦Q 7 6 4 N

♣J76 ♣Q82 ♦7 5
W E
S ♦Q 6 4 ♠Q97 ♠ J 10 8
♣ 10 9 8 ♣QJ5 ♥KJ543 N
♥ A Q 10 9 2
♠AK W E
♥Q32 ♠K ♦Q 6 4 S ♦7 5
♦ A J 10 9 8 ♥A ♣65 ♣ 10 9 8
Lead: ♥ 6 ♣ A K 9 ♦ A J 10 9 8 ♠K32
Lead: ♠ 3 ♣ A K 7 4 3 2 ♥—
Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th ♦ A J 10 9 8
1. W ♥6 K 7 2 Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th Lead: ♥ 4 ♣ A K Q 7 2
2. N ♦ 2! 4 J! 5 1. W ♠3 A! 2 K
3. S ♦8 ♠3 K 6 2. N ♠Q 4 ♣2 5 Trick Lead 2nd 3rd 4th
4. N ♦3 7 10 ♣ 6 3. N ♠J 6 ♥ A! 7 1. W ♥4 6 A ♦8
Cash 6 more winners Made 4 4. N ♥Q K ♣3 4 2. S ♦J 4 K! 5
Win the rest Made 6 3. N ♦2 7 A! 6
Clearly, you must keep East off lead (to Lead all the clubs, etc. Made 6
protect your ♥ Q) so you should finesse I tried to fool you here. You have nine top
East in diamonds. Further, you should take tricks, and if you worked on either dia- If you finesse either way for the ♦ Q, your
a first-round finesse so that dummy can be monds or clubs (or both) you might be set. chances are about even money. Instead you
reentered with the ♦ K to take it again. The foolproof line of play is to unblock should play for a 3-2 trump break (about
This proves to be necessary when East has your ♥ A on the second spade, then force 68 percent) which secures 12 tricks. Even-
four diamonds. out the ♥ K to guarantee 12 tricks. tually, you will ruff a spade in dummy.
Exercise 4A29 The Finesse Is On! by Richard Pavlicek

What is usually the best play of each card combination at notrump? You may lead from either
hand unless stated otherwise. Assume East or West plays a low card as second hand.

1. QJ982 5. Q732 9. Q92

N N N
W E W E North leads W E
S S S

A 10 5 4 3 J965 AK8543

Lead the Q and play the 3 Lead the 5 and play the Q Lead the Q and play the 3

2. Q 10 5 4 6. AKJ2 10. 54
N N N
North leads W E South leads W E W E
first S first S S

A832 98643 A K J 10 3 2

Lead the 4 and play the A Lead the 3 and play the K Lead the 4 and play the 10
then then then
Lead the 2 and play the 10 Lead the A and play the 4 Lead the 5 and play the J

3. K 10 9 6 4 7. J 10 9 8 7 11. QJ2
N N N
W E W E W E
S S S

32 A432 K543

Lead the 2 and play the 9 Lead the J and play the 2 Lead the 3 and play the J
then then then
Lead the 3 and play the 10 Lead the 10 and play the 3 Lead the 4 and play the Q

4. 432 8. AQ43 12. A J 10 2

N N N
W E South leads W E North leads W E
S second S first S

KJ85 10 6 5 2 K543

Lead the 2 and play the J Lead the 2 and play the Q Lead the 2 and play the K
then then then
Lead the 3 and play the K Lead the 5 and play the A Lead the 3 and play the 10
Exercise 4A41 Finessing Field Day by Richard Pavlicek

What is usually the best play of each card combination at notrump? You may lead from either
hand unless stated otherwise. Assume East or West plays a low card as second hand.

1. KJ2 5. 10 9 8 2 9. A 10 8 2
N N N
W E W E W E
S S S

10 8 4 3 AQ763 Q93

Lead the 3 and play the J Lead the 10 and play the Q Lead the Q and play the 2

2. Q2 6. A K 10 3 10. 10 4 3 2
N N N
North leads W E South leads W E W E
first S second S S

A K 10 9 3 962 K965

Lead the Q and play the 3 Lead the 2 and play the 10 Lead the 2 and play the 9
then then then
Lead the 2 and play the K Lead the 6 and play the A Lead the 3 and play the K

3. A K 10 8 7 7. KQ32 11. AJ8

N N N
South leads W E North leads W E W E
first S first S S

J32 A 10 5 4 95432

Lead the 2 and play the K Lead the K and play the 4 Lead the 2 and play the 8
then then then
Lead the J and play the 7 Lead the Q and play the 5 Lead the 3 and play the J

4. Q 10 9 2 8. Q432 12. 432

N N N
North leads W E W E W E
first S S S

A8765 AJ65 J 10 8 5

Lead the 10 and play the A Lead the 2 and play the J Lead the 2 and play the 10
then then then
Lead the 5 and play the Q Lead the A and play the 3 Lead the 3 and play the 8
Exercise 4A53 Play that Suit! by Richard Pavlicek

What is usually the best play of each card combination at notrump? You may lead from either
hand unless stated otherwise. Assume East or West plays a low card as second hand.

1. AJ932 5. AK543 9. Q2
N N N
W E W E W E
S S S

Q7654 J2 A 10 5 4 3

Lead the Q and play the 2 Lead the 3 and play the J Lead the 3 and play the Q

2. A654 6. J65 10. K Q 10 9

N N N
South leads W E W E W E
first S S S

QJ32 10 8 3 2 432

Lead the 2 and play the A Lead the 2 and play the J Lead the 2 and play the Q
then then then
Lead the 4 and play the J Lead the 5 and play the 8 Lead the 3 and play the 9

3. AKJ2 7. K432 11. 10 9 8 7

N N N
South leads W E North leads W E North leads W E
S first S both times S

10 4 3 Q765 AK32

Lead the 3 and play the K Lead the 2 and play the Q Lead the 10 and play the 2
then then then
Lead the 4 and play the J Lead the 5 and play the 3 Lead the 9 and play the A

4. A J 10 8 2 8. A 10 9 8 7 12. Q932
N N N
W E South leads W E W E
S S S

Q43 Q432 KJ4

Lead the 3 and play the 10 Lead the 2 and play the A Lead the 2 and play the K
then then then
Lead the Q and play the 2 Lead the 7 Lead the 3
Exercise 4V17 Tough Card Combinations by Richard Pavlicek

What is usually the best play of each card combination at notrump? You may lead from either
hand unless stated otherwise. Assume East or West plays a low card as second hand.

1. QJ32 5. K 10 6 5 9. J 10 8 5 4
N N N
W E W E W E
S S S

A854 A94 K763

Lead the 4 and play the Q Lead the 5 and play the 9 Lead the 4 and play the K

2. AJ2 6. Q 10 9 8 3 10. A 10 8 7 5 4
N N N
W E W E W E
S S S

K943 A2 K2

Lead the 3 and play the J Lead the Q and play the 2 Lead the 10 and play the 2

3. A654 7. Q 10 9 4 3 11. AK654

N N N
W E North leads W E W E
S S S

Q 10 9 8 A2 Q 10

Lead the 10 and play the 4 Lead the 3 and play the A Lead the 4 and play the 10
then then then
Lead the Q and play the 5 Lead the 2 and play the Q Lead the Q and play the 5

4. A654 8. A 10 9 8 2 12. A K 10 6 5
N N N
W E North leads W E North leads W E
S S S

Q 10 9 3 K3 Q4

Lead the 3 and play the A Lead the 2 and play the K Lead the 5 and play the Q
then then then
Lead the 4 and play the 10 Lead the 3 and play the A Lead the 4 and play the K
Exercise 4V69 Drop It or Finesse? by Richard Pavlicek

Do you know when to play for the drop and when to finesse? Assume the contract is notrump
and you have adequate entries to either hand. Dummy’s holding is given first, followed by
declarer’s holding. Choose your play from the choices A, B and C.

1. A765 5. A 10 9. A9
QJ32 KJ543 K Q 10 5

A. Win the ace A. Win the ace and king A. Win the ace, king and queen
B. Lead the queen and let it ride B. Win the ace then run the 10 B. Win the ace then finesse the 10
C. Duck the first round C. Finesse the 10 C. Finesse the nine

Your play: A Your play: C Your play: B

2. AQ765 6. A32 10. K32

J432 K J 10 5 4 A Q 10 5

A. Win the ace A. Win the ace and king A. Win the ace, king and queen
B. Finesse the queen B. Win the ace then finesse the jack B. Win the A-K then finesse the 10
C. Lead the jack and let it ride C. Lead the jack and let it ride C. Win the king then finesse the 10

Your play: B Your play: B Your play: A

3. AQ765 7. AK32 11. A2

J9832 J954 K Q 10 5 4

A. Win the ace A. Win the ace and king A. Win the ace, king and queen
B. Finesse the queen B. Lead the jack and let it ride B. Win the ace then finesse the 10
C. Lead the jack and let it ride C. Win the ace then lead the jack later C. Lead the 10 and let it ride

Your play: C Your play: A Your play: A

4. AQ765 8. A 10 3 2 12. A 10
J98432 KJ654 KQ543

A. Lead low and win the ace A. Win the ace and king A. Win the ace, king and queen
B. Lead the jack and win the ace B. Win the ace then finesse the jack B. Win the ace then run the 10
C. Finesse the queen C. Win the king then finesse the 10 C. Finesse the 10

Your play: B Your play: A Your play: C

Practice 4A01 Card Combinations by Richard Pavlicek

West North East South 1 None Vul ♠ J 10 6 8 TT 1. S ♥5 J! Q ♠2

Pass 1♠ Pass ♥Q 8 7 3 2 2. E ♠5 - Q -
2 NT Pass 3♣ Pass ♦K 7 3. W ♠3 - 7! A
3♠ Pass 4♠ (end) ♣ 10 8 6 4. S ♥4 K - ♣ 2!
♠Q 4 3 ♠K 8 7 5 2 5. W ♠4 - K ♥-
14,14 6,7 13,16 7,8 ♥A K J W
N
E
♥ — 6. E ♦Q - 3 K
♦ A 10 4 3 S ♦ Q 9 8 2 7. N ♣ 6 K! - -
♣5 4 3 ♣A K J 2 8. E ♦9 6 4! -
♠A 9 Win the rest
♥ 10 9 6 5 4
Bid: Resp to 1 of a suit ♦J 6 5
Play: Finessing technique 8-3-3 ♣Q 9 7 4 ♠ by East Made 5 E-W +450

West North East South 2 N-S Vul ♠Q 7 6 8 TT 1. E ♠ 2 K 4 -

Pass 1♦ ♥A 8 7 5 4 2. S ♥ 10 - A! -
Pass 1♥ Pass 4♥ ♦Q 6 3 3. N ♥ 4 K 9! ♣ 10
(end) ♣7 5 4. E ♣ 2 A - -
♠9 8 4 ♠ J 10 5 2 5. S ♥ Q ♠ 8 7 -
3,5 8,9 10,11 19,21 ♥3 N ♥ K J 2 6. S ♠ - - Q -
W E
♦9 8 7 4 S ♦ K 5 7. N ♦ -! 5 10 -
♣ K 10 9 8 3 ♣Q 6 4 2 8. S ♥ 6 ♣ 8 8 ♣ -
Bid: Rebid by opener ♠A K 3 9. N ♦ 6! K A -
Play: Finessing technique ♥ Q 10 9 6 10. S ♦ 2 - Q ♠-
Def: Protect dummy’s suit ♦ A J 10 2 Win the rest
Discard signal ♣A J 4 ♥ by North Made 6 N-S +680

West North East South 3 E-W Vul ♠7 5 3 6 TT 1. W ♠4 - J K

1♦ ♥ A Q 10 5 2. S ♦A - - -
Pass 1♥ Pass 2 NT ♦J 5 4 3 3. S ♥2 - 10 J
Pass 3 NT (end) ♣ 10 5 4. E ♠2 A - -
♠ 10 9 6 4 ♠Q J 8 2 5. S ♥4 - Q -
6,8 7,8 8,8 19,21 ♥K 9 8 7 W
N
E
♥J 3 6. N ♦ J! Q K ♣-
♦2 S ♦Q 9 7 6 7. S ♥6 - A ♣-
♣K 8 4 3 ♣Q 9 7 8. N ♦4 - 8 ♣-
♠A K 9. S ♦ 10 ♠ - - -
Bid: Rebid by opener ♥6 4 2 10. S ♣A - - -
Play: Finessing technique ♦ A K 10 8 Lose the rest
Def: Choose lead (NT) ♣A J 6 2 3 NT by South Made 3 N-S +400

West North East South 4 Both Vul ♠9 7 6 4 9 TT 1. N ♥ 10 J - A!

2 NT Pass 4 NT Pass ♥ Q 10 9 8 7 2 2. W ♣ 4! ♥- A -
6 NT (end) ♦Q 8 5 3. E ♣- 10 Q ♥-
♣— 4. W ♠A - - -
21,22 4,7 11,11 4,4 ♠A Q J ♠K 5 3 5. W ♠~ - K -
♥A 3 W
N
E
♥ K J 6. E ♦ 4! - J Q
♦A J 3 S ♦ 10 9 6 4 7. N ♥8 K - -
♣K Q 9 5 4 ♣A 7 3 2 8. E ♦ 10 7 3 -
Bid: 2 NT opening, response ♠ 10 8 2 9. E ♣~ - 9 ♠-
Quantitative 4 NT ♥6 5 4 Claim the rest
Play: Communication/entries ♦K 7 2
Finessing technique ♣ J 10 8 6 6 NT by West Made 6 E-W +1440
Practice 4A05 Card Combinations by Richard Pavlicek

West North East South 1 None Vul ♠J 4 3 6 TT 1. E ♥ 6 9 J K

1 NT Pass 3 NT ♥K 5 4 2. N ♦ K! Q - -
(end) ♦ A K 10 9 8 3. N ♠ 3! - 10 -
♣A Q 4. S ♦ 4 - 8 ♣3
1,1 17,18 10,11 12,13 ♠9 8 7 6 ♠K 5 5. N ♠ 4 K A -
♥J 2 N ♥ Q 8 7 6 3 6. S ♠ 2 - J ♣6
W E
♦7 6 5 3 S ♦Q 7. N ♥ 4 3 10! -
♣9 5 2 ♣ K 10 8 6 3 8. S ♠ Q - ♣ Q ♥ 7
Bid: Opening one-bid ♠ A Q 10 2 Claim the rest
Response to 1 NT ♥ A 10 9
Play: Finessing technique ♦J 4 2
Def: Choose lead (NT) ♣J 7 4 3 NT by North Made 7 N-S +520

West North East South 2 N-S Vul ♠ A 10 8 2 6 TT 1. N ♥4 5 10 K

1♣ Pass ♥Q J 8 4 3 2. W ♣2 - A! -
2 NT Pass 3 NT (end) ♦4 3. E ♣4 J Q K
♣K 9 8 4. N ♥Q A - -
13,14 10,12 13,14 4,5 ♠K 3 ♠J 9 4 5. E ♣ 10 ♦3 - -
♥K 9 2 W
N
E
♥A 6 5 6. E ♣6 ♠5 - ♠8
♦ K Q 10 8 S ♦A 6 2 7. E ♦ 2! - Q -
♣Q 5 3 2 ♣ A 10 6 4 8. W ♦8 ♠2 A -
♠Q 7 6 5 9. E ♦ 6 9 10 ♠ 10
Bid: Resp to 1 of a suit ♥ 10 7 10. W ♦K ♥3 ♥6 -
Play: Finessing technique ♦J 9 7 5 3 Lose the rest
Def: Discard signal ♣J 7 3 NT by West Made 3 E-W +400

West North East South 3 E-W Vul ♠8 6 4 2 7 TT 1. W ♠K - 10 A

1♥ ♥8 7 6 4 2. S ♣7 - Q -
1♠ 3♥ Pass 4♥ ♦A J 9 3. N ♥4 - J K
(end) ♣A Q 4. W ♠Q - - -
♠K Q J 9 7 ♠ 10 5 5. W ♠J - ♣5 ♥5
13,13 11,12 4,5 12,14 ♥K N ♥Q 3 2 6. S ♣K - A -
W E 7. N ♥6 3 10! ♠ 7
♦ K 10 3 S ♦Q 4 2 8. S ♥ A ♣ 10 - -
♣ J 10 3 2 ♣9 8 6 5 4 9. S ♦ 5 3 9! Q
Bid: Cope with overcall ♠A 3 10. E ♣9 ♥9 - ♠8
Play: Finessing technique ♥ A J 10 9 5 11. S ♦ 6 10 J -
Def: Attitude signal ♦8 7 6 5 Claim the rest
Make declarer ruff ♣K 7 4 ♥ by South Made 4 N-S +420

West North East South 4 Both Vul ♠Q 8 7 4 6 TT 1. S ♥5 - 10 K

1♣ Pass 1♠ Pass ♥ 10 8 2 2. E ♣3 2 A! -
2♣ Pass 3 NT (end) ♦ Q 10 7 3. W ♠2 - 9! J
♣Q 6 5 4. S ♦ 8 A! 7 -
12,14 6,6 15,16 7,7 ♠6 2 ♠ A K 10 9 3 5. W ♠ 6 7 10! -
♥7 4 W
N
E
♥K Q 6 Cash 5 more winners
♦A J 9 3 S ♦K 6 2
♣ A K 10 9 8 ♣4 3
Bid: Rebid after 2-over-1 ♠J 5
Play: Avoidance finesse ♥A J 9 5 3
Finessing technique ♦8 5 4
Def: Shift to another suit ♣J 7 2 3 NT by East Made 3 E-W +600
Practice 4A09 Card Combinations by Richard Pavlicek

West North East South 1 None Vul ♠A 4 3 2 6 TT 1. W ♥6 J - -

Pass Pass 1♦ ♥J 3 2. N ♦ 2! - A -
Pass 1♠ Pass 2 NT ♦Q J 3 2 3. S ♦4 9 J ♠ J!
Pass 3 NT (end) ♣4 3 2 4. N ♣2 - 9! Q
♠Q 5 ♠ J 10 9 8 6 5. W ♠Q - - K
10,10 8,8 4,6 18,19 ♥K 9 7 6 N ♥ 10 8 5 6. S ♦5 K - ♥8
W E 7. W ♠5 A - -
♦ K 10 9 6 S ♦8 8. N ♣3 - J -
♣Q 8 6 ♣ K 10 7 5 9. S ♣A - - -
Bid: Rebid by opener ♠K 7 10. S ♦7 - Q ♠-
Play: Play to trick one ♥A Q 4 2 11. N ♥3 - A -
Finessing technique ♦A 7 5 4 Lose the rest
Def: Discard signal 4-2-1 ♣AJ9 3 NT by South Made 3 N-S +400

West North East South 2 N-S Vul ♠ K 10 7 6 6 TT 1. S ♠Q - 7 3

1 NT Pass ♥ A 10 8 6 2. S ♠8 - K A
2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass ♦Q 9 7 5 3. E ♦A - - -
3 NT (end) ♣3 4. E ♣ 10! - Q -
♠4 2 ♠A 3 5. W ♦ J! Q K ♥ -
11,12 9,11 15,17 5,7 ♥K Q 9 7 W
N
E
♥4 3 2 6. E ♣A - - ♥ 10
♦J 6 4 S ♦ A K 10 8 3 7. E ♣2 - 9 ♥-
♣K Q 9 8 ♣ A 10 2 8. W ♣K ♥- ♥2 -
Bid: Stayman convention ♠Q J 9 8 5 9. W ♦6 - 8 ♠-
Play: Unblocking play ♥J 5 10. E ♦ 10
Finessing technique ♦2 Lose last 2 tricks
Def: When to cover honor 6-1-3 ♣J 7 6 5 4 3 NT by East Made 4 E-W +430

West North East South 3 E-W Vul ♠A 8 6 2 7 TT 1. E ♦ J K 7 -

1♣ ♥A 8 7 5 4 2. S ♥ 10 - A! -
Pass 1♥ Pass 2♥ ♦A 8 2 3. N ♥ ~ K 3 ♣2
Pass 4♥ (end) ♣3 4. E ♦ 9 - 3 A
♠J 4 ♠K 7 5 5. N ♥ ~ J Q ♣-
6,8 12,14 8,8 14,15 ♥2 N ♥KJ6 6. S ♠ Q! 4 2 K
W E
♦Q 7 6 3 S ♦ J 10 9 5 7. E ♣ 5 A! - -
♣ K 10 9 8 4 2 ♣7 6 5 Win the rest
♠ Q 10 9 3
Bid: Follow up major raise ♥ Q 10 9 3
Play: Finessing technique ♦K 4
Shun finesse ♣A Q J 4 ♥ by North Made 5 N-S +450

West North East South 4 Both Vul ♠A 2 8 TT 1. N ♣ 10 J! Q K

1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass ♥8 7 5 3 2. W ♠4 2 K! -
2 NT Pass 3♠ Pass ♦K 2 3. E ♦ 3 - 9! K
4♠ (end) ♣ 10 9 8 7 2 4. N ♣ 9? A - -
♠Q 9 6 5 4 ♠K 8 3 5. E ♠3 J 5! A
14,15 7,9 12,12 7,7 ♥K 10 9 W
N
E
♥ A 6 2 6. N ♣ 8? - - ♠6
♦A Q 9 S ♦7 5 4 3 7. W ♠ Q ♣ - - 10
Bid: Resp to 1 of a suit ♣K 3 ♣AJ5 8. W ♠ 9! ♣ 7 ♥ 2 ?
Rebid after 2-over-1 ♠ J 10 7 South is squeezed
Play: Finessing technique ♥QJ4
Automatic squeeze ♦ J 10 8 6
Early ♥ shift stops 11 ♣Q 6 4 4 ♠ by West Made 5 E-W +650
Practice 4A13 Card Combinations by Richard Pavlicek

West North East South 1 None Vul ♠ 10 3 6 TT 1. E ♥J - - K

1♦ Pass 1♠ ♥A K 3 2 2. N ♦2 - Q -
Pass 1 NT Pass 3 NT ♦K 7 6 2 3. S ♦4 - 6! A
(end) ♣KJ9 4. E ♥7 Q - -
♠K 8 6 5 ♠J 9 7 5. S ♣3 - J Q
4,5 14,15 8,9 14,14 ♥8 6 4 W
N
E
♥ J 10 9 7 6. E ♥9 ♠2 - A
♦ J 10 9 3 S ♦A 8 7. N ♣K - - -
♣7 6 ♣ Q 10 8 2 8. N ♣ 9 10 A ♠ 5
♠A Q 4 2 9. S ♦5 - K ♠7
♥Q 5 10. N ♦ 7! ♠ - ♣ - J
Play: Finessing technique ♦Q 5 4 W endplayed, lose 1
Throw-in play 1-2-1 ♣A 5 4 3 3 NT by North Made 3 N-S +400

West North East South 2 N-S Vul ♠AJ7 8 TT 1. S ♣Q - - K

1♥ Pass ♥Q 9 7 6 2. E ♥ A! - - -
1♠ Pass 1 NT Pass ♦Q J 9 6 3. E ♠2 6 9! J
3♥ Pass 4♥ (end) ♣8 7 4. N ♣8 - - A
♠ K 10 9 4 ♠3 2 5. W ♥J Q K ♣9
12,13 10,11 13,14 5,7 ♥J 5 4 W
N
E
♥ A K 10 8 2 6. E ♠3 - 10! A
♦ A 10 4 S ♦K 8 2 7. N ♦Q - - A
♣A 5 4 ♣K 3 2 8. W ♠K - ♣3 -
♠Q 8 6 5 9. W ♥5 - 8 ♦-
♥3 Lose the last trick
Bid: Rebid by responder ♦7 5 3
Play: Finessing technique ♣ Q J 10 9 6 4 ♥ by East Made 4 E-W +420

West North East South 3 E-W Vul ♠K 7 5 8 TT 1. N ♦2 - 10 A

Pass ♥Q 6 2. W ♥4 - K -
1 NT Pass 4 NT Pass ♦9 4 3 2 3. E ♠ Q! - - K
6 NT (end) ♣ Q 10 8 5 4. N ♦3 - - Q
♠A 9 8 3 ♠ Q 10 4 5. W ♥ 5! Q A -
16,17 7,7 16,16 1,1 ♥ 10 5 4 W
N
E
♥A K J 2 6. E ♥- - 10 ♣ -
♦A Q J S ♦K 8 6 7. W ♣- 10 K -
♣AJ3 ♣K 9 2 8. E ♥J - ♣J ♦-
♠J 6 2 9. E ♠ 10 - 8! -
♥9 8 7 3 Win the rest
Bid: Quantitative 4 NT ♦ 10 7 5
Play: Finessing technique ♣7 6 4 6 NT by West Made 6 E-W +1440

West North East South 4 Both Vul ♠J 8 5 6 TT 1. W ♥Q 2 - 3

Pass 1♣ Pass 2 NT ♥K 4 2 2. W ♥ 10 - - A
Pass 3 NT (end) ♦A 6 4 3. S ♦2 - A -
♣A Q 9 4 4. N ♦4 - Q -
6,7 14,14 6,7 14,14 ♠Q 7 3 ♠ 10 9 4 2 5. S ♣2 - 9! K
♥ Q J 10 8 W
N
E
♥9 7 6 6. E ♥9 - - K
♦8 3 S ♦ K 10 9 5 7. N ♦6 K - ♥J
♣ J 10 8 6 ♣K 7 8. E ♠ 2 K! - -
♠A K 6 9. S ♠A - - -
Bid: Resp to 1 of a suit ♥A 5 3 10. S ♦J ?
Play: Finessing technique ♦Q J 7 2 West is squeezed
Positional squeeze ♣5 3 2 3 NT by South Made 4 N-S +630
Practice 4A17 Card Combinations by Richard Pavlicek

West North East South 1 None Vul ♠ A K 10 4 2 9 TT 1. E ♦2 - Q K

1♠ Pass 2♠ ♥6 5 3 2. N ♠K - - -
Pass 4♠ (end) ♦A K J 3. N ♠2 ♥2 Q -
♣ K 10 4. S ♠ 9 8 10! ♦ 5
7,7 18,20 8,10 7,7 ♠J 8 7 6 ♠3 5. N ♠A ♦8 ♣3 -
♥Q N ♥ K 10 8 4 2 6. N ♥3 - 9! Q
W E 7. W ♣5 K A -
♦Q 9 7 S ♦ 10 8 5 2 8. E ♣J - - -
Bid: Resp to 1 of a suit ♣Q 9 7 5 2 ♣AJ6 9. E ♣6 ♦4 Q ♠4
Follow up major raise ♠Q 9 5 10. N ♦A - - -
Play: Finessing technique ♥A J 9 7 11. N ♦J ♥- ♥- -
Def: Choose discard ♦6 4 3 12. N ♥5 - J ♣-
Protect dummy’s suit ♣8 4 3 4 ♠ by North Made 4 N-S +420

West North East South 2 N-S Vul ♠K 4 10 TT 1. N ♥ Q K - ♣3

Pass Pass ♥ Q J 10 8 2 2. E ♠ 3 - Q K
1♠ Pass 3♠ Pass ♦5 4 3 3. N ♥ J A - ♣4
6♠ (end) ♣ K 10 9 4. E ♦ 10 6 2! -
♠ A Q J 10 9 ♠8 7 6 5 3 5. E ♠ 5 ♥ 6 A -
17,20 9,10 11,12 3,5 ♥— W
N
E
♥ A K 4 Win the rest
♦A K Q 2 S ♦ 10 9
♣J 5 4 3 ♣A 6 2
Bid: Passed hand response ♠2
Slam decision ♥9 7 6 5 3
Play: Finessing technique ♦J 8 7 6
Def: When to cover honor ♣Q 8 7 6 ♠ by West Made 6 E-W +980

West North East South 3 E-W Vul ♠ 10 5 3 7 TT 1. W ♥Q K - -

1♥ ♥K 3 2 2. N ♣2 - 9! K
Pass 2♥ Dbl 3♥ ♦K J 3 2 3. W ♥J - - A
(end) ♣6 4 2 4. S ♣A - - -
♠Q 7 6 4 ♠A K J 8 5. S ♣ Q ♥ 10 - J
8,9 7,7 11,12 14,16 ♥ Q J 10 W
N
E
♥5 4 6. W ♠4 - K -
♦ 10 8 7 6 S ♦Q 9 4 7. E ♠A - - -
Bid: Cope with T/O double ♣K 3 ♣ J 10 8 7 Win the rest
Follow up major raise ♠9 2
Play: Finessing technique ♥A 9 8 7 6
Ruff in short hand ♦A 5
Def: Leading trumps ♣A Q 9 5 3 ♥ by South Made 3 N-S +140

West North East South 4 Both Vul ♠J 4 3 10 TT 1. S ♠2 - J K

1 NT Pass 3♥ Pass ♥6 5 4 2. E ♥~ - A -
4♥ Pass 4 NT Pass ♦J 2 3. W ♥~ - 9 ♣5
5♠ Pass 5 NT Pass ♣ Q 10 8 3 2 4. E ♥K ♣6 - -
6♣ Pass 6♥ (end) ♠8 7 5 ♠A K 9 5. E ♦~ - 10 J
15,17 4,4 15,16 6,8 ♥ A J 10 3 N ♥K Q 9 8 7 6. N ♠4 A - -
W E 7. E ♦~ - Q -
♦ A Q 10 3 S ♦7 6 4 8. W ♣- - K -
Bid: Response to 1 NT ♣A 7 ♣K 4 9. E ♣4 - A -
Blackwood convention ♠ Q 10 6 2 10. W ♥J ♣- Q ♠-
Play: Finessing technique ♥2 11. E ♥ 8! ?
Automatic squeeze ♦K 9 8 5 South is squeezed
Def: Protect dummy’s suit ♣J 9 6 5 6 ♥ by East Made 6 E-W +1430