Entries - Answers

Hand #1

Win the opening lead and take the heart finesse. Assuming the finesse works (through the takeout doubler, afer all), draw trumps and repeat the finesse. If you draw trumps before taking the heart finesse, how will you be able to get back to your hand to repeat the finesse?

Hand #2

Ruff the second diamond with the ♠9. Don’t even think about ruffing with the ♠2. Play the ♠ A K and hope spades are 2-2. If they are, cross to dummy with a trump and lead the ♣10. If East has fewer than four clubs to the king, you make your contract. If spades are 3-1, at least you tried. Who know – maybe the ♣ K is singleton.

Hand #3

You start by assuming that the spade finesse is going to work. If true, you need two dummy entries to repeat the finesse. Start by ruffing the second club with a middle trump and play the ♥A K. If hearts are 2-1, you have your two dummy entries: the ♥5 and the ♦A. If trumps are 3-0, you have to try to create an extra dummy entry by leading a low diamond to the jack!

Hand #4

Count your tricks. You have twelve tricks if you can bring in the diamonds for four tricks even if you score only two club tricks. Win the first club with the ace to ensure a future dummy entry to the diamonds.

Hand #5

Did you count your tricks? You have nine if you can score one spade. Win the ♣K in dummy to ensure a later hand entry to the form of the ♣A. Run the diamonds and lead the ♠Q. If you greedily play the ♣J at trick one and East plays the Q, then whether or not you duck, you are in deep trouble. The opponents can keep you out of your hand, and you may never get a spade trick.

Hand #6

With all the cards marked on your right, you need two dummy entries in order to take the spade finesse and to lead a heart to the 7! Now open your eyes. If the 7 held, take the spade finesse, return to the ♥9 and lead up to the ♦K.

Hand #7

Your plan should be to try to set up the 5^th diamond in case the spades are not 3-3. Ruff the club lead high and play ace and another diamond. Assume the opponents win and play a spade, which is as good as anything. Win in dummy, ruff a diamond high, cross to the ♥8 and ruff another diamond. If diamonds are no worse than 4-2, dummy’s 5^th diamond is high. Draw trumps and cross to dummy with a spade to discard your possible losing spade on dummy’s 5^th diamond.

Hand #8

East’s double asks for dummy’s first bid suit, hearts. West’s failure to lead a heart indicates a void. Win the ♣A K and discard the ♦A. Now play the winning diamonds and discard as many hearts as you can before someone ruffs. If diamonds are no worse than 5-3, you are home!

Hand #9

Win the second spade and play the ♣J. If someone wins, you have an entry to the diamonds in the form of the ♣10. If the ♣J holds, play the ♣A to see if the ♣Q falls. If it does, lead a club to the ♣10 and take the rest of the tricks. If the ♣Q does not drop, lead a low heart to the queen. If West has the heart king, you are home. If East has the heart king, you still make the hand if the clubs are 3-3.

Hand #10

Don’t get greedy and win the opening lead in dummy. Look ahead – what are you going to do now? Any play you make at this point is fraught with danger, particularly if East has the ♠A. A better play is to overtake the ♦K at trick one and run the ♥Q. If it loses, you can be sure that West has both the ♣K and the ♠A. If the finesse wins, continue with a second heart. If hearts are 2-2, return to your hand with a trump and run the ♣10. If that loses, the ♠A must be onside and all you will lose is a spade, a club, and a diamond. If West has three hearts to the king, take the club finesse before playing a third heart.