Correct Answer:

b) Win, play the Jack of Diamonds intending to take dummy’s Ace if it’s covered and play a Club to the 9

Even if the Diamonds provide four tricks you will need to make something of the Clubs. The best chance is to start with a Club to the 9. If West wins with the Jack and exits with a Spade you win with the King and play the ♣Q which collects East’s 10 and gives you three tricks in the suit and nine in all. This delightful play rejoices in the name of an ‘intra-finesse’.

Problem 2

Contract: 6 Clubs.
Lead: ♥10.
You win with dummy’s Ace and cash the ♣A on which East discards a Heart.

You plan:

Correct Answer:

a) To play off the top Spades

After a Spade to the Ace and the nine of Clubs covered by the ten and King, you cash the Ace of Diamonds and ruff a Diamond with the eight of Clubs. Even if West can overruff and return a trump, you will score the tricks you need as East is squeezed.

Problem 3

Contract: 6 Spades. Lead: ♥7.

What do you do?

Correct Answer:

c) Win in hand and cash the ♠AKQ intending to play a Diamond to dummy’s ace and take the ruffing finesse if the trumps break or are 4-1,

The first point is to win the Heart lead in hand, preserving dummy’s King as an entry. If trumps are 3-2 it does not matter what you do, but when they are 4-1, the ruffing finesse in Diamonds is clearly better than the direct finesse of the King.