Book One
Beginning Bridge
Supplementary quizzes
and play hands
2011 edition
Chapter One : Getting started with bridge
TR1
TR2
TR3
TR4
TR5
TR6
TR7
TR8
TR9†
How many points in each hand?
Hands 1- 8 for the first lesson
MiniBridge practice hands
MiniBridge – what is the score on each deal?
Revision hands
Planning the play - quiz
What should we lead and why? - quiz
What should we play on partner’s lead?
IntroBridge – an optional lesson
Chapter Two : An introduction to bidding
TR10
TR11
TR12
TR13
TR14
Hands that open 1NT – Why?
Hands that do not open 1NT – Why not?
Responses to a 1NT opening bid
Exercise on Beginning Bidding
1NT opening practice hands
Chapter Three : Opening one of a suit
TR15
TR16
TR17
TR18
TR19
TR20
TR21
TR22
TR23
Which suit to open
Which suit to respond after a 1♥ opening
Make up the hands to fit the auction
Make up hands on change of suit responses
Make up hands on opener’s strong rebid
Opening one of a suit practice hands
Bidding strong balanced hands – 2
Make up complete deals on strong opener rebids
Revision hands
Chapter Four : Declarer Play
TR24
TR25
TR26
TR27
TR28
TR29
Exercise on entries and communications
Play hands on setting up winners
Quiz on declarer play in no trumps
Card combinations
Quiz on declarer play with trumps
Card play revision
Chapter Five : Defence
TR30
TR31
TR32
TR33
TR34
Examples to illustrate opening leads
Quiz on opening leads
What might the lead be from?
Quiz on third hand play
Quiz on play of the cards by defender
Chapter Six : The competitive auction
TR35
TR36
TR37
TR38
TR39
Example hands for discussing overcalls
Responding to partner’s overcall
Some borderline hands
Examples of bidding after a 1NT overcall
Responding to partner’s opening bid after a 1NT overcall
Chapter Seven : The Stayman convention
TR40
TR41
TR42
TR43
TR44
TR45
Examples to illustrate planning the use of Stayman
Other uses of Stayman
Hands to make up and play
Practice hands on Stayman
Hands to illustrate 4441 openings
Hands to illustrate 4441 openings
Chapter Eight : Higher level opening bids
TR46
TR47
TR48
TR49
TR50
TR51
TR52
TR53
TR54
TR55
TR56
TR57
Which hands are suitable for opening 2NT?
Responses to 2NT openings
Bidding quiz on 2♣ opening
Bidding hands after a 2♣ opening
Practice opening strong twos
Continuing the auction
Exercise on bidding strong hands
Quiz to revise bidding stronger hands
Must we go to game?
Examples of hands to pre-empt
Examples of responses to a pre-empt
Countering a pre-empt
† TR9 - IntroBridge is an optional lesson that provides an intermediate step between
MiniBridge and bridge with a simplified auction. Further details are provided by the
teacher.
Acknowledgements
Standard English was developed by Sandra Landy with the help of the Bridge for All
drafting team – Mike Pomfrey, Jean Patefield and Simon Ainger. More recent
contributions have come from Andrew Kambites. Bridge for All, introduces duplicate
bridge and the English Bridge Union to new players in a friendly environment. Launched
in 1999, it is the nationally approved method of learning the game and has been formally
recognised by the Open College Network.
TR1
How many points in each hand?
1.
♠ 10 2
♥AKQ
♦ J 10 8 6 3 2
♣53
2.
♠AK3
♥ 10 7 5 2
♦QJ864
♣A
3
♠AQ87
♥J9763
♦2
♣KQJ
4.
♠74
♥QJ862
♦97643
♣5
5
♠AKQ8
♥AKJ
♦AKQ
♣AK3
6.
♠532
♥8764
♦943
♣732
(3) 13
(4) 3
Answers (1)10 – average (2) 14
(5) 33 – rare!
(6) 0 – a Yarborough
TR2
Hands 1-4 for the first lesson (B1H-1)
♠AK6
♥9632
♦AQ4
♣K42
♠Q74
♠J98
♥75
♥ Q J 10 8
♦ J 10 6
♦9752
♣QJ976
♣ 10 8
♠ 10 5 3 2
♥AK4
♦K83
♣A53
♠ K Q 10 9
♥32
♦J6
♣98754
♠876
♠AJ3
♥K6
♥Q54
♦943
♦AK52
♣AKQJ2
♣ 10 6 3
♠542
♥ A J 10 9 8 7
♦ Q 10 8 7
♣♠AJ72
♥Q53
♦942
♣J62
♠ 10 4 3
♠965
♥A8
♥ J 10 9 4 2
♦ K Q J 10 7
♦85
♣Q74
♣ K 10 5
♠KQ8
♥K76
♦A63
♣A983
♠7543
♥ Q J 10 9
♦ K Q 10
♣ 10 6
♠QJ
♠ A K 10 2
♥632
♥A4
♦J852
♦643
♣AKQJ
♣8532
♠986
♥K875
♦A97
♣974
Board 1 : Dealer North
West
North
East
6
16
4
South
14
North is declarer. North/South have 30 points and North can
count enough tricks, so should go for game in no trumps.
East leads ♥Q (top card of a sequence, our agreed lead)
2 spades, 2 hearts, 3 diamonds and 2 clubs = 9 tricks.
Board 2 : Dealer East
West
North
East
13
6
14
South
7
East is declarer. With 27 points between the two hands
East should go for game in no trumps.
South leads ♥J (top of an internal sequence)
Win ♥K and play the clubs. ♣2 to the ♣10 to make five
tricks – but in an early lesson this is unlikely!
1 spade, 1 heart, 2 diamonds and 5 clubs = 9 tricks.
Board 3 : Dealer South
West
North
East
12
8
4
South
16
South is declarer. 24 points are not quite enough for game
and, more importantly, it’s hard to see where 9 tricks are
coming from. So South should settle for part score in no
trumps.
West leads ♦K (top of a sequence)
You have 4 spades – play K, Q first, 1 diamond and 1 club.
You will also make a heart once the ace has been driven
out. Do this before cashing all the other winners.
Board 4 : Dealer West
West
North
East
South
14
8
11
7
West is declarer. There are 25 points and a clever West
can see nine tricks, so should go for game in no trumps.
North leads ♥Q (top of a sequence).
Count your nine tricks. Win ♥A and play the spades. ♠2 to
♠Q, then ♠J and overtake with ♠A. Be impressed if anyone
does it!
4 clubs, 4 spades and 1 heart = 9 tricks.
TR2
♠J92
♥AK2
♦KQJ
♣8632
♠A84
♠ 10 7 5 3
♥ 10 9 8 5 4
♥Q76
♦84
♦972
♣ A 10 7
♣K95
♠KQ6
♥J3
♦ A 10 6 5 3
♣QJ4
♠ K J 10 8 2
♥987
♦Q9
♣ Q 10 8
♠964
♠A75
♥ Q J 10 2
♥A6
♦A2
♦KJ43
♣7632
♣AK95
♠Q3
♥K543
♦ 10 8 7 6 5
♣J4
♠A65
♥K932
♦J987
♣A9
♠J82
♥A4
♦A652
♣ Q 10 8 6
♠974
♥ 10 7 6
♦Q4
♣J7432
♠ K Q 10 3
♥QJ85
♦ K 10 3
♣K5
♠ K 10 5
♥875
♦QJ862
♣74
♠876
♠A32
♥KQ3
♥ J 10 4 2
♦A43
♦K95
♣AKQ2
♣ 10 6 3
♠QJ94
♥A96
♦ 10 7
♣J985
Hands 5-8 for the first lesson (B1H-1)
Board 5 : Dealer North
West
North
East
8
14
5
South
13
North is declarer. With 27 points North should go for game in no
trumps. North should be able to count nine tricks once ♠A has been
taken.
East leads ♠3 (fourth highest of longest suit)
Play ♠Q, which loses to ♠A. Win the spade return and play
diamonds. ♦K and ♦Q first then overtake ♦J with ♦A. Play ♥A and
♥K and ♠J for nine tricks
Board 6 : Dealer East
West
North
East
7
8
19
South
6
East is declarer. 26 points so go for game in no trumps. Here it’s
not quite so easy to count 9 tricks.
South leads ♦6 (fourth highest of longest suit)
Play low on the diamond lead and win North’s ♦Q. Play ♥A followed
by ♥6. This creates two heart tricks. South returns another
diamond – win ♦A, two more heart tricks, ♣A, ♣K. ♠A
Note that if West played no trumps, North would lead a spade and 9
tricks are harder.
Board 7 : Dealer South
West
North
East
South
11
12
3
14
South is declarer with 26 points. Try game in no trumps, even if it’s
not clear where nine tricks are.
West leads ♣6 (4th highest of best suit, because it has two honours).
Or West might lead ♦2.
Two clubs and three or four spades. So South needs three heart
tricks and must drive out ♥A before cashing the top cards in the
other suits. Play a heart honour before touching any other suit.
Board 8 : Dealer West
West
North
East
18
6
8
South
8
West is declarer. 26 points between East/West so go for game in no
trumps.
Lead ♦6 (fourth highest of best suit)
Win the lead with ♦A and play ♥K straightaway to knock out the ♥A.
Win the diamond return and take 1 spade, 3 hearts and 3 clubs in
addition to the 2 diamonds. If you take your other winners before
knocking out ♥A, you might only make 6 tricks.
TR3
MiniBridge practice hands – B1H0
Hand A
♠AKQ
♥ J 10 9 8 7 6 5
♦AK
♣4
♠932
♠87654
♥Q
♥AK
♦Q654
♦ J 10 9 7
♣A8752
♣ 10 3
♠ J 10
♥432
♦832
♣KQJ96
For the first time the hand is played, North is declarer and
should try playing the hand with spades as trumps. If
North/South play in spades the opposition have more
trumps than declarer and dummy and declarer will lose
control of the hand. Now play the hand again, but this time
with hearts as trumps. There are more tricks available
with hearts as trumps despite missing the three top cards
than there are in spades where five top honours are held.
In hearts, the lead is probably ♦J won by the ace and a
heart is played. The queen and king fall together. Just two
hearts and one club are lost.
Remember: l e n g t h in trumps is more important than
strength.
Score (4 x 30) + 300 = 420 for ten tricks in hearts if
declarer goes for game.
Score 30 + 50 = 80 for making seven tricks in spades if
declarer went for part score.
Score –3 x 50 = –150 for going three down in spades if
declarer went for game.
Hand B
♠ Q 10 8 5
♥8743
♦75
♣ J 10 7
♠A64
♠K32
♥QJ2
♥K6
♦AKJ9
♦ Q 10 2
♣A98
♣KQ432
♠J97
♥ A 10 9 5
♦8643
♣65
♠K53
♥874
♦K97
♣AQ65
♠ J 10 6
♠9872
♥AKQ3
♥ J 10 9 6 5
♦8643
♦5
♣98
♣ J 10 4
♠AQ4
♥2
♦ A Q J 10 2
♣K732
West is declarer. With 32 HCP between them East/West
should obviously go for game. West will probably make
twelve tricks. If no trumps are chosen the score will be 40
+ (5 x 30) + 300 = 490. Compare this with the score for
choosing to go for game in the 8-card club suit when the
score would be (6 x 20) + 300 = 420. North will probably
lead a spade. West must play hearts at trick two, forcing
out the ace. Do not cash the other spade stopper till ♥A
has gone. Two spades, two hearts, four diamonds and five
clubs would be thirteen tricks but ♥A must be lost so
declarer takes twelve tricks.
Score 40 + (5 x 30) + 300 = 490 to E/W for making twelve
tricks in no trumps.
Hand C
South is declarer and North/South have 28 HCP between
them, so should go for game. On this hand it is essential to
choose a game in clubs or diamonds as the defence will
take the first five heart tricks if no trumps are chosen.
Suppose South says game in clubs, West is likely to lead
♥A, and then ♥K. But South ruffs ♥K and draws all the
trumps counting the suit carefully to make sure they are all
gone! Now South can make three spades, five diamonds
and four clubs. Twelve tricks.
Score (6 x 20) + 300 = 420 to N/S for making twelve tricks
in clubs.
TR4
MiniBridge – what is the score on each deal?
1. Declarer says no trumps, part score and makes 8 tricks.
2. Declarer says ♠, part score and makes 6 tricks.
3. Declarer says ♥, game and makes 10 tricks.
4. Declarer says ♣, game and makes 9 tricks.
5. Declarer says ♦, part score and makes 7 tricks.
Remember that we use non-vulnerable scoring only at MiniBridge.
Answers (1) +120
(2) -50
(3) +420
(4) -100
(5) +70
TR5
Revision hands – B1H2
♠Q7
♥ K 10 4 3
♦A963
♣Q87
♠ J 10 9 8 3
♠K542
♥986
♥J
♦ Q 10
♦J875
♣A92
♣ 10 6 4 3
♠A6
♥AQ752
♦K42
♣KJ5
♠54
♥K543
♦984
♣ A J 10 2
♠A76
♠K98
♥ 10 9 2
♥Q876
♦KQ763
♦AJ2
♣Q5
♣K94
♠ Q J 10 3 2
♥AJ
♦ 10 5
♣8763
♠ A J 10
♥J542
♦8
♣ Q J 10 4 3
♠K6
♠Q852
♥AK7
♥963
♦KQ973
♦ A 10 4 2
♣762
♣85
♠9743
♥ Q 10 8
♦J65
♣AK9
♠A653
♥AK8
♦832
♣ K Q 10
♠ K 10 9
♠J74
♥ 10 9 2
♥QJ753
♦ Q J 10 5 4
♦96
♣95
♣A84
♠Q82
♥64
♦AK7
♣J7632
Board 1 : Dealer North
With a combined North/South 28 HCP, South should
choose game. With nine hearts, it should be obvious to
choose hearts as trumps. West leads ♠J – the top of a
sequence, dummy plays the queen, East the king and
South wins the ace. Declarer will have to draw three
rounds of trumps to stop opponents ruffing. Then the clubs
can be played to force out the ace and set up two tricks.
Declarer loses one spade, one club and one diamond.
Score (4 x 30) +300 = +420 to N/S (–420 to E/W)
for ten tricks in a game in hearts.
Board 2 : Dealer East
With 24 HCP between the two hands and no 8-card major
suit fit, East should choose part score in no trumps. South
leads ♠Q, the top of a sequence. Before playing to the first
trick declarer counts the tricks available and can hope for
five diamonds and two spades. But it is safe to play clubs
straight away to set up an eighth trick.
Score (40 + 30) + 50 = 120 to E/W (–120 to N/S)
for eight tricks in a part score in no trumps.
Board 3 : Dealer South
East/West have 21 HCP and West is declarer. With
nothing in clubs, declarer should prefer a part score in
diamonds. North leads ♣Q and North/South can take two
club tricks. But declarer can now ruff the third club in
dummy before drawing the trumps. Five diamonds, a club
ruff, one spade and two hearts should come to nine tricks
for East/West.
Score (3 x 20) + 50 = 110 to E/W (–110 to N/S) for
nine tricks in a part score in diamonds.
Board 4: Dealer West
North/South have 26 HCP and North is declarer. With
stops in all suits, North goes for game in no trumps, not
clubs. East leads the five of hearts; it is normal to lead
‘fourth highest’ of your longest suit. Declarer should win the
first trick and play on clubs, starting with ♣K.
Score 40 + (2 x 30) + 300 = 400 to N/S (–400 to
E/W) for nine tricks in a game in no trumps.
TR5
Revision hands – B1H2
♠A5
♥ 10 8 7
♦J532
♣ Q J 10 7
♠KJ762
♠Q83
♥943
♥KQJ
♦K8
♦Q4
♣964
♣AK532
♠ 10 9 4
♥A652
♦ A 10 9 7 6
♣8
♠A73
♥98
♦AKQJ76
♣94
♠95
♠KQJ62
♥KQ7632
♥ 10 5
♦92
♦ 10 8 3
♣ 10 5 3
♣KQJ
♠ 10 8 4
♥AJ4
♦54
♣A8762
♠A864
♥K93
♦Q7
♣A742
♠ J 10 9
♠5
♥ Q J 10 8 5
♥764
♦A65
♦ K J 10 4 3 2
♣53
♣ 10 9 8
♠KQ732
♥A2
♦98
♣KQJ6
♠AK98752
♥♦984
♣A74
♠64
♠ Q 10
♥KQJ73
♥ A 10 6 4 2
♦K52
♦QJ6
♣KQJ
♣ 10 8 5
♠J3
♥985
♦ A 10 7 3
♣9632
Board 5 : Dealer North
East/West have 24 HCP and East is declarer. With 8-card fits
in two suits, East chooses a part score in spades because they
score better than clubs. South leads the singleton club, hoping
for a ruff. East wins and plays a spade. North wins and plays a
club which South ruffs. East must lose tricks to the heart and
diamond aces and there is still a club to lose. Eight tricks
would be a normal result.
Score (2 x 30) + 50 = 110 to E/W (–110 to N/S) for
eight tricks in a part score in spades.
Board 6 : Dealer East
North/South have 23 HCP and North should realise that eleven
tricks in diamonds is unlikely. But once North gains the lead
there are nine tricks available cold (that is on top, not needing
setting up). It is correct to say game in no trumps. East leads
♠K but declarer can win and take the nine tricks. Normally we
need 25 HCP to try for a no trump game. Notice how a long
solid suit and aces makes it possible to make game with fewer
points.
Score 40 + (2 x 30) + 300 = 400 to N/S (–400 to
E/W) for nine tricks in game in no trumps.
Board 7 : Dealer South
North/South have 28 HCP and South is declarer. No trumps is
out as there is no diamond stopper, we describe this as ‘wide
open in diamonds’. With a 9-card fit in spades South will
choose game in spades and West should lead the queen of
hearts, the top card of a sequence. South can win in hand and
draw trumps in three rounds – count carefully as they are
played! There are now eleven tricks available and two
diamonds have to be lost at the end.
Score (5 x 30) + 300 = 450 to N/S (–450 to E/W)
for eleven tricks in game in spades.
Board 8 : Dealer West
East/West have 24 HCP and West is declarer. Despite having
ten hearts between the two hands, it should be played in a
heart part score. North leads ♠A, on which South should play
the jack as the start of a peter to show just two spades. North
cashes ♠A and ♠K and North knows that there are no more
spades out. The defenders will later take ♦A and ♣A, holding
declarer to nine tricks.
Score (3 x 30) + 50 = 140 to E/W (–140 to N/S) for
nine tricks in a part score in hearts.
TR6
Planning the play – quiz
In each of the examples below, West is the declarer. Try to work out how West should
plan the play and jot it down to discuss in class.
You might find it helpful to make the hands up from a pack of cards.
Why not do this exercise with a friend?
1. West
♠Q2
♥AKQ
♦AK63
♣ A 10 8 3
Game in no trumps
Lead: ♦Q
East
♠AKJ3
♥764
♦542
♣976
2. West
East
♠A63
♠742
♥AK4
♥QJ3
♦975
♦ 10 6
♣J862
♣ A Q 10 9 3
Part score in clubs
Why didn’t you choose no trumps?
Lead: ♦A
3. West
♠–
♥AKJ962
♦K75
♣QJ73
Game in hearts
Lead: ♠Q
East
♠K853
♥Q85
♦AQ2
♣ 10 9 4
4. West
♠AQJ97
♥A543
♦A5
♣ 10 6
Game in spades
Lead: ♥K
East
♠ K 10 8
♥62
♦K942
♣A532
TR6
Planning the play - answers
Getting started 2
1. West
♠Q2
♥AKQ
♦AK63
♣ A 10 8 3
East
♠AKJ3
♥764
♦542
♣976
You have ten top tricks. Count them — four spades, three hearts, two diamonds and one
club.
Play the spades in the right order to be sure of making four tricks in the suit. Play the
queen first and then the two, winning with the ace. Play the king and jack, throwing away
small cards from declarer’s hand. Try playing the ace first and you will find you cannot
now make four tricks in the suit.
2. West
♠A63
♥AK4
♦975
♣J862
East
♠742
♥QJ3
♦ 10 6
♣ A Q 10 9 3
You will lose only two diamonds, because you can ruff the third round, two spades and
possibly one club. The eight tricks you win are one spade, three hearts, no diamonds and
at least four clubs.
An extra trick in clubs is possible if North has ♣K. Start by leading ♣J from West’s hand.
If North covers it with ♣K, win ♣A. If North does not produce ♣K, play a small one. If
South has ♣K, this play fails but it’s worth trying. If neither player puts up the king, play
another club from West’s hand and play ♣Q from dummy. This is called a finesse. You
will learn all about it later in the course. Don’t play in no trumps because there are lots of
diamonds to lose, if diamonds are led.
3. West
♠–
♥AKJ962
♦K75
♣QJ73
East
♠K853
♥Q85
♦AQ2
♣ 10 9 4
With nine hearts, play in hearts. Trump the spade lead and play hearts until the
opponents have none left – this is called drawing trumps. Play high clubs to force out the
ace and king to establish two club winners.
4. West
♠AQJ97
♥A543
♦A5
♣ 10 6
East
♠ K 10 8
♥62
♦K942
♣A532
Win trick one with ♥A and play a heart straight back. When West gets the lead again,
play a heart and ruff (another word for trump) it in the East hand. Ruffs in the short trump
hand mean extra tricks for declarer.
TR7
1.
What should we lead and why? Quiz
North (Dummy)
♠Q63
♥AK42
♦963
♣652
4.
North (Dummy)
♠AK
♥732
♦432
♣ K J 10 7 3
West (You)
♠ 10 4
♥953
♦AK872
♣ 10 4 3
West (You)
♠ 10 7 6 3 2
♥A54
♦KQJ
♣54
South says game in hearts
Partner has seven points
South says game in clubs
Partner has no points
2.
5.
North (Dummy)
♠K94
♥AQ6
♦ K Q 10 9 5
♣54
North (Dummy)
♠AQJ954
♥6
♦ 10 9 8 2
♣53
West (You)
♠ Q J 10 5 2
♥53
♦A4
♣8632
West (You)
♠ 10 6
♥AK752
♦AK63
♣62
South says game in no trumps
Partner has four points
South says part score in spades
Partner has five points
3.
6.
North (Dummy)
♠63
♥KQ3
♦ K 10 5 2
♣ J 10 6 3
North (Dummy)
♠AK2
♥65
♦Q984
♣J432
West (You)
♠ K 10 8 7 5
♥A2
♦943
♣752
West (You)
♠J7
♥KQ432
♦AJ6
♣Q75
South says part score in no trumps
Partner has ten points
South says game in no trumps
Partner has one point
TR7
What should we lead and why? Answers
1 ♦A – we want to cash our tricks and maybe partner can ruff the third round. In any case
it won’t give tricks away to declarer.
2 ♠Q – we want to establish tricks to cash when we get in. Partner’s four points might be
the ♠A but this lead won’t do the defence any harm even if declarer has ♠A.
3 A spade – we want to establish tricks, hope partner has a high card to help establish
our suit. From a long suit which doesn’t have a sequence at the top, the right card is the
fourth one down, in this case the seven (you will learn why later).
4 ♦K – if declarer takes his ♦A you may then be able to cash your ♦Q and ♦J.
5 ♦A – Hearts will produce only one trick, which is disappointing, so try cashing ♦A K. If
partner has only two diamonds, he might be able to ruff the third one. You will learn that if
partner has only two diamonds he can tell you this by playing his higher one first.
6 ♥3 – Partner has only one point and it must be ♥J as you can see the other three
jacks. Lead your fourth highest heart to get your suit established. Why the fourth highest
rather than any small one? It is to do with giving useful information to partner. All will be
revealed later.
TR8
What should we play on partner’s lead?
5
1. Against game in no trumps partner leads the ace of spades.
Which card should you play? Why?
♠763
Partner leads ♠ A
You hold ♠ 9 8 2
2. Against game in hearts partner leads the king of spades.
Which card should you play? Why?
♠763
Partner leads ♠ K
You hold ♠ A 9 8 2
3. Against game in hearts partner leads the ace of spades.
Which card should you play? Why?
♠Q63
Partner leads ♠ A
You hold ♠ 8 2
4. Against game in hearts partner leads the eight of spades.
Which card should you play? Why?
♠763
Partner leads ♠ 8
You hold ♠ A K 5 2
The next time spades is played, partner plays the four. What do you deduce?
5. Against game in no trumps partner leads the two of spades.
Which card should you play? Why?
♠763
Partner leads ♠ 2
You hold ♠ Q 5 4
6. Against game in no trumps partner leads the seven of spades.
Which card should you play? Why?
♠K83
Partner leads ♠ 7
You hold ♠ A Q 5
TR8
What should I play on partner’s lead? Answers
1. Play the two. Partner may be able to win tricks in spades but you cannot help.
♠763
Partner leads ♠ A
You hold ♠ 9 8 2
2. Play the nine to encourage partner to continue with spades. Partner must have ♠Q
since we do not lead an unsupported king.
♠763
Partner leads ♠ K
You hold ♠ A 9 8 2
3. Play the eight. This will encourage partner to continue with his king. When you play the
two on the king, partner will then know you started with two spades and can ruff a third
one. He will be able to work out how many spades declarer has because he can count
the spades in his hand and dummy and you have told him you started with two.
♠Q63
Partner leads ♠ A
You hold ♠ 8 2
4. Play the king – as third hand we always win with the lowest of touching honours which
helps partner work out what is in our hand. If partner next time plays the four we know he
started with two. We can see seven cards in our own hand and dummy so declarer
started with four – the queen, jack, ten and nine. If partner has trumps left at this stage, it
is worth leading another spade for him to ruff one of declarer’s otherwise winning cards.
♠763
Partner leads ♠ 8
You hold ♠ A K 5 2
5. Play the queen – because it is the best card we have. The third hand to play usually
plays high to try to win the trick.
♠763
Partner leads ♠ 2
You hold ♠ Q 5 4
6. If the king is played from dummy, play the ace. If declarer chooses not to play the king,
win with the queen.
♠K83
Partner leads ♠ 7
You hold ♠ A Q 5
TR10
♠
♥
♦
♣
A753
J76
K43
AJ2
Hands that open 1NT – Why?
♠
♥
♦
♣
QJ
A72
KQ986
Q 10 9
♠
♥
♦
♣
AQ85
A75
J9
K 10 8 4
♠
♥
♦
♣
QJ54
Q 10 6 2
A4
K96
Answers (1) 13 – average
(2) 14 – maximum
TR11
Hands that do not open 1NT – Why not?
♠
♥
♦
♣
A8753
J6
K43
AJ2
♠
♥
♦
♣
QJ
A7
KQ986
Q 10 9 2
♠
♥
♦
♣
(3) 14 – maximum
AQ85
A765
J
K 10 8 4
Answers (1) 5-card major (2) two doubletons
♠
♥
♦
♣
(4) 12 – minimum
QJ54
Q 10 6 2
K4
AK9
(3) singleton diamond
(4) 15 points
TR12
Responses to a 1NT opening bid
New Hand
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
♠ J 10 6 3
♥KQ7
♦9852
♣ J 10
♠ J 10 6 3
♥KQ7
♦AK98
♣ J 10
♠ J 10 6
♥KQ7
♦AK98
♣ K J 10
♠ J 10 6
♥KQ7
♦A987
♣ J 10 9
♠ J 10 6
♥KQ7
♦A987
♣ 10 9 2
♠ J 10 6
♥7
♦A98765
♣ 10 9 2
♠ J 10 6
♥AKQJ97
♦A5
♣ 10 9
♠ J 10 6
♥AKJ97
♦A65
♣ 10 9
♠6
♥ A K Q J 10 9 7
♦A65
♣AK
How many
points?
Is hand
balanced?
What are our
side’s
points?
What do
we bid
over 1NT?
7
Yes
19-21
Pass
14
Yes
26-28
3NT
17
Yes
29-31
3NT
not enough
to try for
slam
11
Yes
23-25
2NT
just worth a
game try
10
Yes
22-24
Pass
maximum
for a pass
5
No
17-19
2♦
Weak
takeout
15
No
27-29
4♥
Just bid
game
13
Yes but it
has a 5-card
major
25-27
3♥
ask partner
to choose
21
No
33-35
6♥
Bid your
first slam!
TR13
Exercise on Beginning Bidding
Practice opening 1NT and responding to a 1NT opening.
Cover up partner’s hand – just look at your own cards.
WEST HANDS
1 West dealer
♠A75
♥Q98
♦K63
♣AJ62
EAST HANDS
1 West dealer
♠964
♥J54
♦ Q J 10 9
♣KQ3
♠A75
♥Q98
♦K63
♣AJ62
2 East dealer
2 East dealer
♠K96
♥J54
♦ Q J 10 9
♣KQ3
♠KQJ7
♥986
♦A76
♣Q94
3 West dealer
3 West dealer
♠A52
♥ J 10 5 3
♦K32
♣ A 10 7
♠KQJ7
♥AQ2
♦A76
♣KQJ
4 East dealer
4 East dealer
♠A52
♥ K 10 5 3
♦K32
♣ A 10 7
♠A52
♥ J 10 5 3
♦KQ2
♣ A 10 7
5 West dealer
5 West dealer
♠KQJ7
♥986
♦A76
♣Q94
♠KQJ753
♥A62
♦87
♣K5
6 East dealer
6 East dealer
♠ 10 2
♥K53
♦A962
♣AQ97
♠KQJ7
♥A62
♦87
♣K953
7 West dealer
7 West dealer
♠A52
♥ K 10 9 5 3
♦K2
♣ A 10 7
♠75
♥J9865
♦432
♣ 10 9 2
8 East dealer
8 East dealer
♠J6
♥Q42
♦AK75
♣KJ87
♠86
♥AQJ3
♦AJ54
♣ Q 10 7
9 West dealer
9 West dealer
♠ K 10 4 3 2
♥86
♦KQ3
♣AK2
B
TR13
1
Exercise on Beginning Bidding - answers
WEST
EAST
1NT
pass
East has nothing to bid with nine points and a balanced
hand.
3NT
1NT
pass
West can raise straight to 3NT with fourteen points, knowing
that the partnership has at least 26 points between the two
hands.
2NT
East has twelve points, game is possible. 2NT asks partner
to bid 3NT with a maximum. West has only 12 points, so
passes 2NT. Even eight tricks are not entirely certain on this
deal.
1NT
pass
West has 22 points. He knows East must have 12-14 points,
so that there must be 34-36 points between the two hands.
East/West must be able to make twelve tricks and West
should say 6NT.
2
3
1NT
pass
4
6NT
Bidding a contract at the six level is called a small slam. If
game in 3NT, taking twelve tricks, is worth a score of +490,
then a small slam of 6NT scores +990, an extra bonus of
500.
If West held 25 or more points, then West would know the
partnership held at least 37 points between them. He would
then have said 7NT – a grand slam.
5
1NT
3NT
2NT
pass
This time it is East who asks partner the question, but with
14 points West is able to bid 3NT. Nine tricks should make,
either by the defence helping you in establishing a second
club trick, or if the defence do not lead clubs, declarer can
play hearts every time he gains the lead and eventually a
winner gets set up.
4♠
1NT
pass
West has six spades and thirteen points. Quite enough to
jump straight to game.
1NT
4♥
3♥
pass
East is not sure whether to play in hearts or no trumps. With
fourteen points the partnership must choose one game or
the other. 3♥ asks partner which game to play in. With three
hearts West chooses to play in 4♥.
2♥
1NT
pass
West has an awful hand but it might take a few tricks if
hearts are trumps. Limit the possible damage on the hand
and bid 2♥.
1NT
3NT
3♠
pass
West is not sure whether to play in spades or no trumps 3♠
asks partner to choose. With only two spades West chooses
3NT.
6
7
8
9
TR14 1NT opening practice hands – B2H2
♠ Q 10 9 8
♥985
♦ J 10 7
♣K53
♠AK743
♠J5
♥K7
♥AJ2
♦A5
♦K962
♣ 10 7 6 4
♣QJ98
♠62
♥ Q 10 6 4 3
♦Q843
♣A2
Board 1 : Dealer North
West
North
East
Pass
1NT
3♠
Pass
3NT
♠Q765
♥K3
♦A97
♣Q974
♠K94
♠A32
♥ J 10 9 8 7 4
♥Q5
♦J42
♦ K Q 10 6
♣2
♣K653
♠ J 10 8
♥A62
♦853
♣ A J 10 8
♠AJ9
♥AK864
♦ 10 9
♣Q82
♠754
♠ 10 8 2
♥3
♥ J 10 9 7
♦AKQ54
♦J32
♣7643
♣ J 10 9
♠KQ63
♥Q52
♦876
♣AK5
Board 2 : Dealer East
West
North
East
1NT
2♥
All Pass
♠Q8
♥Q52
♦AJ942
♣ A 10 8
♠A52
♠94
♥9843
♥ A K J 10 6
♦85
♦ 10 7 3
♣Q532
♣J74
♠ K J 10 7 6 3
♥7
♦KQ6
♣K96
South
Pass
All Pass
North passes, East with 12 points bids 1NT and South
passes. West with 14 points knows that East/West
should bid game but is not sure whether in spades or
NT, so bids 3♠ to ask partner. With only two spades,
East bids 3NT. South leads ♥4. Win the jack and count
your tricks. Playing on clubs sets up two winners with
two spades, three hearts and two diamonds.
South
Pass
East has a normal 1NT opening with 14 points. Holding
only 5 points West knows that East/West have fewer
combined points than North/South have. West bids 2♥
because the hand must play better if hearts are trumps.
In fact, West can make 2♥ by drawing trumps and
playing on diamonds.
Board 3 : Dealer South
West
North
East
Pass
All Pass
3♥
Pass
South
1NT
4♥
When partner opens 1NT, North knows North/South
should be playing in game. But maybe hearts will be
better than no trumps, so North bids 3♥ to consult
partner. South with three hearts bids 4♥. A good
decision, as 3NT should not make (look at the
diamonds). Even though East has a trump trick, there
are only three losers, two diamonds and one heart.
Count your tricks to check.
Board 4 : Dealer West
West
North
East
South
Pass
1NT
Pass
4♠
All Pass
South has 12 points and a good 6-card spade suit.
When partner opens 1NT, showing 12–14 and at least
two spades, just bid 4♠. It must be the best game. West
probably leads a heart. South ruffs the second heart
and plays trumps. Remember to draw all three rounds
of trumps (count to 13) and you should make eleven
tricks, since you can throw the losing club on the long
diamonds.
TR14 1NT opening practice hands – B2H2
♠KQ3
♥ J 10 2
♦ 10 8 7 3
♣ A 10 3
♠986
♠542
♥AK86
♥943
♦2
♦AKQ94
♣J7654
♣92
♠ A J 10 7
♥Q75
♦J65
♣KQ8
♠J98743
♥J
♦62
♣J983
♠Q6
♠K52
♥ A 10 9 6
♥K742
♦J874
♦ A 10 9 3
♣ A Q 10
♣52
♠ A 10
♥Q853
♦KQ5
♣K764
♠87
♥K842
♦QJ83
♣A76
♠AJ9
♠KQ62
♥J95
♥ A 10 6
♦976
♦ A 10
♣KQ94
♣ J 10 8 5
♠ 10 5 4 3
♥Q73
♦K542
♣32
Board 5 : Dealer North
West
North
East
Pass
Pass
All Pass
♠ 10 9 8 7
♥ J 10 5
♦ 10 8
♣K982
♠Q3
♠AKJ2
♥A984
♥KQ3
♦QJ65
♦AK32
♣ A J 10
♣Q7
♠654
♥762
♦974
♣6543
Board 8 : Dealer West
West
North
East
1NT
Pass
6NT
South
1NT
A simple auction since North does not have enough
points to open the bidding or to bid over 1NT. West
should lead ♣5, fourth highest of the longest suit. South
plays hearts and sets up a heart trick to go with four
spades and three clubs.
Board 6 : Dealer East
West
North
East
Pass
Pass
2♠
All Pass
South
1NT
North will not want to make a bid on only 3 HCP, but it
must be better to play the hand in spades. East can
lead a doubleton club and get a ruff. But the defence
can take only three more tricks: ♦A, ♥A and a spade.
One off is far better than South could have done in 1NT.
Board 7 : Dealer South
West
North
East
Pass
2NT
Pass
Pass
1NT
3NT
South
Pass
Pass
All Pass
West passes originally but raises 1NT to 2NT. This
shows 11 or 12 points and, since East is a maximum, it
is right to bid 3NT. Declarer makes at least nine tricks
by playing on clubs as soon as he gets the lead. Even if
South leads ♦2, declarer loses just three diamonds and
♣A.
South
All Pass
It will take East a long time to count all those points as
22 is more than usual. Knowing that East/West must
have at least 34 points, but not as many as 37, a brave
East bids 6NT and a nervous West can take all thirteen
tricks when the hearts break 3-3.
TR15
New Hand
♠KQ654
♥KJ5
♦A976
♣4
♠65432
♥KJ5
♦AKQ9
♣4
♠K6543
♥KJ
♦AK976
♣4
♠K6543
♥KJ
♦AK9765
♣–
♠K654
♥KJ5
♦AK97
♣Q4
♠K654
♥KJ75
♦AK9
♣Q4
♠K654
♥KJ75
♦KJ9
♣Q4
Which suit to open
How
many
points?
Is the hand
balanced?
What is the
longest suit?
What is the opening
bid?
13
No
Spades
1♠
13
No
Spades
1♠
14
No
Spades and
diamonds both
5-cards
1♠
14
No
Diamonds
1♦
16
Yes
Spades and
diamonds both
4-cards
1♠
16
Yes
Spades and
hearts both 4cards
13
Yes
Spades and
hearts both 4cards
1♥
1NT
ALWAYS OPEN YOUR LONGEST SUIT.
WITH TWO 5-CARD SUITS OPEN THE HIGHER RANKING.
WITH TWO 4-CARD SUITS, OPEN THE HIGHER RANKING – EXCEPT WITH ♥ AND ♠
♠K654
♥KQJ75
Open longest
13
No
1♥
suit
♦KJ9
♣4
♠K654
♥Q5
Timely reminder
13
Yes
1NT
to open 1NT
♦KJ9
♣KJ74
TR16
Which suit to respond after a 1♥
♥ opening
New Hand
Points? Balanced? Longest suit
Bid?
♠Q654
Spades and
♥J53
4
Yes
diamonds
Pass
♦J976
each 4-cards
♣ 10 4
♠654
Hearts and
♥QJ53
4
Yes
diamonds
Pass
♦J976
each 4-cards
♣ 10 4
♠K54
Hearts and
♥QJ53
7
Yes
diamonds
2♥
♦J976
each 4-cards
♣ 10 4
♠K54
Hearts and
♥QJ53
10
Yes
diamonds
3♥
♦A976
each 4-cards
♣ 10 4
♠K54
Hearts and
♥QJ53
13
Yes
diamonds
4♥
♦AK76
each 4-cards
♣ 10 4
SUPPORT PARTNER’S MAJOR TO THE LIMIT WITH 4 OR MORE CARDS.
TR17
Make up the hands to fit the auction
Board 1
Dealer North
North East South West
1♥
pass 2♥
pass
4♥
all pass
Board 2
Dealer East
East
1♠
Board 3
Dealer South
South West North East
1♠
pass 3♠
pass
4♠
all pass
Board 4
Dealer West
West North East
1♥
pass 4♥
TR18
South West North
pass 2♠
all pass
South
all pass
Make up hands on change of suit responses
Give each table a pack of cards and ask the students, working in groups, to make up a
hand to meet each of the following criteria.
1.
Partner opens 1♥. You respond 1♠.
2.
Partner opens 1♥. You respond 3♥, even though you have five diamonds.
3.
Partner opens 1♥. You respond 2♣.
4.
Partner opens 1♥. You respond 1NT.
In what contract do you think the deal you have made up will finish?
TR19
Make up hands on opener’s strong rebid
Give each table a pack of cards and ask the students, working in groups, to make up a
hand to meet the following criteria.
1.
You open 1♦. Partner responds 2♣.
You now bid 2♥.
2.
You open 1♠. Partner responds 1NT.
You now bid 3♠.
3.
You open 1♥. Partner responds 1♠.
You now bid 4♠.
4.
You open 1♥. Partner responds 1♠.
You now bid 3♦.
In what contract do you think the deal you have made up will finish?
TR20
Opening one of a suit practice hands – B3H2
♠KQ3
♥AQJ973
♦A2
♣42
♠A965
♠87
♥5
♥ 10 8 6 4
♦8653
♦ Q J 10 7
♣A987
♣K53
♠ J 10 4 2
♥K2
♦K94
♣ Q J 10 6
Board 1 : Dealer North
West
North
East
1♥
Pass
Pass
Pass
3♥
All Pass
♠Q964
♥ 10 7 2
♦ 10 5 3 2
♣AK
♠A
♠K8732
♥AQ96
♥KJ54
♦AKJ86
♦Q9
♣432
♣ 10 5
♠ J 10 5
♥83
♦74
♣QJ9876
♠875
♥65
♦ A Q 10 9
♣6543
♠AQ96
♠ K J 10 4
♥ K Q J 10 9
♥432
♦43
♦765
♣A2
♣KQJ
♠32
♥A87
♦KJ82
♣ 10 9 8 7
Board 2 : Dealer East
West
North
East
Pass
1♦
Pass
1♠
Pass
4♥
2♥
♠AK96
♥ K Q J 10 9
♦64
♣A2
♠J873
♠ Q 10 2
♥A72
♥863
♦Q875
♦A32
♣ 10 9
♣8754
♠54
♥54
♦ K J 10 9
♣KQJ63
Board 4 : Dealer West
West
North
East
Pass
1♥
Pass
Pass
2♠
Pass
All Pass
South
1♠
4♥
North’s second bid shows at least six hearts and a
strong hand. South can therefore raise to game in
hearts with only two cards in hearts. Even though East
has four hearts, North can win ♦Q, draw all the trumps
and then drive out ♠A by playing the king, then the
queen if West ducks.
South
Pass
Pass
All Pass
West’s second bid is a reverse, above the 2♦ barrier,
which shows a strong hand with diamonds that are
longer than the hearts. East can support the hearts and
is strong enough to bid game. His ♦Q is now a very
useful value because West bid diamonds.
Board 3 : Dealer South
West
North
East
1♥
3♠
Pass
Pass
1♠
4♠
South
Pass
Pass
All Pass
West opens 1♥ and is pleased to hear partner bid 1♠.
Now 2♠ would show a minimum opening, West must
show more by bidding 3♠. East has just enough to bid
4♠. South will lead ♣10, but might switch to diamonds
when in with ♥A, to hold declarer to ten tricks. A clever
declarer, however, might discard a diamond on the third
round of clubs before playing on hearts.
South
2♣
3NT
North opens 1♥, the longest suit. When South can
respond 2♣, North knows there must be a game, but
does not know where. 2♠ is a reverse, above the 2♥
barrier, showing a strong hand with four spades and
longer hearts. South, lacking heart support or four
spades, bids 3NT. West leads ♦5, the unbid suit but
the defence can win only two diamonds and ♥A.
TR20
♠AQ3
♥KQ7
♦ A Q J 10 5
♣72
♠8742
♠ J 10 9 6
♥A986
♥J54
♦763
♦82
♣ 10 5
♣KQ84
♠K5
♥ 10 3 2
♦K94
♣AJ963
♠QJ98
♥K543
♦J4
♣ J 10 8
♠K73
♠A4
♥A2
♥QJ9876
♦ A 10 6 2
♦KQ3
♣9532
♣K4
♠ 10 6 5 2
♥ 10
♦9875
♣AQ76
♠43
♥962
♦ A J 10
♣AQ987
♠ A J 10 9
♠865
♥ J 10 8 7
♥K53
♦653
♦Q942
♣J4
♣ 10 5 2
♠KQ72
♥AQ4
♦K87
♣K63
♠A
♥K9752
♦43
♣ J 10 9 8 7
♠97532
♠KQJ4
♥J84
♥A6
♦K2
♦ A Q 10 8 5
♣Q52
♣K3
♠ 10 8 6
♥ Q 10 3
♦J976
♣A64
Opening one of a suit practice hands – B3H2
Board 5 : Dealer North
West
North
East
1♦
Pass
Pass
3NT
All Pass
South
2♣
North opens 1♦. With 11 HCP, South can bid 2♣. North is now
confident there are enough points for game but the partnership's
longest suits are the minors. With good guards in the majors
North bids 3NT, showing 17–19 HCP. East leads ♠J. 3NT easily
makes with an overtrick once the ace of hearts has been forced
out. The alternative of 5♦ is harder to make and scores less.
Board 6 : Dealer East
West
North
East
1♥
2NT
Pass
4♥
South
Pass
All Pass
East opens the bidding with 1♥. With no 4-card major and 11
points West responds with 2NT, a limit bid with a balanced hand
and 10–12 HCP. East knows the partnership has 25–27 points,
i.e. enough for game, and that West must have two or three
hearts, because 2NT is balanced, but not four hearts as the
1♥ opening bid was not raised. East knows the partnership has
enough for game and at least eight hearts, so bids 4♥.
Board 7 : Dealer South
West
North
East
Pass
All Pass
2♣
Pass
South
1♠
3NT
South is balanced but with 17 HCP is too good for 1NT. When
North shows at least 9 HCP by bidding 2♣, South should jump
all the way to 3NT to show the points held. After the lead of ♥J,
South can win and play ♠K to establish the tenth trick, making
one spade, two hearts, two diamonds and five clubs.
Board 8 : Dealer West
West
North
East
Pass
Pass
1♦
1♠
Pass
4♠
South
Pass
All Pass
East opens 1♦, his longest suit. West should respond with 6
HCP and bid 1♠. Now East should raise all the way to 4♠ with
19 HCP and four good spades. North leads ♣J. If the king is
played South wins the ace. If the three is played from dummy
South plays the six. West plays a spade to knock out the ace.
West must count trumps to make sure that all three of South’s
are drawn. That will leave one trump in dummy to ruff the club
loser.
TR21
Bidding strong balanced hands - 2
10 E A S T D E A L E R O U T H D E A L E R12 W E S T D E A L E R
Below are eight pairs of hands. How do you think the bidding will go on each pair?
The opposition pass whenever it is their turn to bid.
WEST HANDS
EAST HANDS
♠A52
♥K6
♦AQJ4
♣Q963
1. West dealer
1. West dealer
♠ 10 7 6
♥QJ93
♦963
♣K52
♠ 10 7 6
♥AQJ9
♦ 10 6 3
♣K52
2. East dealer
2. East dealer
♠A52
♥K6
♦AQJ4
♣Q963
♠A52
♥K6
♦AQJ4
♣Q963
3. West dealer
3. West dealer
♠ 10 7
♥AQJ93
♦96
♣K542
♠ 10 7
♥QJ93
♦963
♣K532
4. East dealer
4. East dealer
♠A52
♥ K 10 5 2
♦AQJ4
♣QJ
♠A52
♥K65
♦AQ4
♣QJ63
5. West dealer
5. West dealer
♠ 10 7 6
♥ A Q J 10 9 3
♦9
♣K52
♠J76
♥AQ9
♦963
♣KJ52
6. East dealer
6. East dealer
♠ A 10 2
♥K6
♦AQJ4
♣Q963
♠A52
♥K6
♦K742
♣Q963
7. West dealer
7. West dealer
♠K76
♥QJ9
♦A63
♣KJ42
♠A52
♥ K 10
♦K742
♣Q963
8. East dealer
8. East dealer
♠KQ6
♥QJ972
♦A63
♣K5
TR21
1
Bidding strong balanced hands – 2 - answers
West East
1♥
1♦
1NT pass
West is too strong to open 1NT.
The 1NT rebid shows 15–16
points but East passes with just
six points.
West East
1♦
1♥
1NT
3NT pass
As the 1NT rebid shows 15–16,
West can raise to 3NT with ten
points.
West
1♦
1NT
3NT
After the 15–16 rebid of 1NT,
East wants to be in game. A new
suit at the 3-level is forcing to
game. Bidding 3♣ offers partner
a choice between 3NT and 4♥.
Only rarely will 5♣ be the best
spot.
After a simple raise to 2♥, the
3♥ bid is a game try. West does
not have anything extra and so
passes 3♥ and hopes it will
make.
West
♠A52
♥K6
♦AQJ4
♣Q963
West
♠ 10 7 6
♥AQJ9
♦ 10 6 3
♣K52
West
♠A52
♥K6
♦AQJ4
♣Q963
East
♠ 10 7 6
♥QJ93
♦963
♣K52
East
♠A52
♥K6
♦AQJ4
♣Q963
East
♠ 10 7
♥AQJ93
♦96
♣K542
4
West
♠ 10 7
♥QJ93
♦963
♣K532
East
♠A52
♥ K 10 5 2
♦AQJ4
♣QJ
West East
1♥
2♥
3♥
pass
5
West
♠A52
♥K65
♦AQ4
♣QJ63
East
♠ 10 7 6
♥ A Q J 10 9 3
♦9
♣K52
West East
1♣
1♥
1NT 4♥
pass
West’s rebid of 1NT shows 15–
16 points and a balanced hand
which must have at least two
hearts so East can jump to game
in hearts.
6
West
♠J76
♥AQ9
♦963
♣KJ52
West
♠A52
♥K6
♦K742
♣Q963
West
♠A52
♥ K 10
♦K742
♣Q963
East
♠ A 10 2
♥K6
♦AQJ4
♣Q963
East
♠K76
♥QJ9
♦A63
♣KJ42
East
♠KQ6
♥QJ972
♦A63
♣K5
West East
1♦
2NT 3NT
pass
A response of 2NT to an opening
bid shows a balanced hand with
10–12 points. 10+16=26. More
than enough to bid 3NT.
West East
1NT 3NT
pass
Don’t forget 1NT shows 12–14
and a balanced hand, you still bid
it when you can.
West East
1♥
2NT 3NT
pass
West responds 2NT to the 1♥
opening with 12 points. With a
balanced hand and five moderate
hearts East just raises to 3NT.
2
3
7
8
East
1♥
3♣
pass
TR22
Make up complete deals on strong opener rebids
Give each table a pack of cards and ask the students, working in groups, to make up a
hand to meet each of the following criteria.
Board 1
Dealer North
North East
1♥
pass
3♣
pass
South West
1♠
pass
4♥
all pass
Board 2
Dealer East
East
1♦
3♠
Board 3
Dealer South
South West North East
1♣
pass 1♥
pass
2♠
pass 4♠
all pass
Board 4
Dealer West
West North East
1♥
pass 1NT
3♥
pass 4♥
South West North
pass 1♠
pass
all pass
South
pass
all pass
Deal out the remaining 26 cards to get a hand that can be played at the table.
TR23
Revision hands – B3H3
16 W E S T D E A L E R – E / W V u l n e r a b l e
♠K87
♥ K 10 5 4
♦AK7
♣962
♠ J 10 3 2
♠Q954
♥876
♥A92
♦6542
♦ J 10 9
♣QJ
♣K84
♠A6
♥QJ3
♦Q83
♣ A 10 7 5 3
♠KJ42
♥ Q 10 2
♦Q76
♣A94
♠ J 10 5
♥652
♦9854
♣KQ3
♠ 10 9 6
♥874
♦ A J 10 3
♣J53
♠AQ3
♥KJ93
♦K94
♣K87
♠875
♥A65
♦852
♣ Q 10 6 2
♠A43
♥ A 10 7 3
♦KQ62
♣95
♠98
♥J8
♦ J 10 3
♣ A J 10 7 6 2
♠KQ762
♥KQ94
♦A7
♣84
♠KQ852
♥942
♦KJ5
♣64
♠97
♠A64
♥KQJ3
♥ 10 7
♦862
♦A9743
♣KQJ7
♣A83
♠ J 10 3
♥A865
♦ Q 10
♣ 10 9 5 2
Board 1 : Dealer North
West
North
East
1NT
Pass
All Pass
South
3NT
North must open 1NT even with no club stop. A raise to 3NT
is much better than 3♣ as the South hand is basically
balanced. East leads ♠4 fourth highest of the longest suit
held. North should try for two tricks in spades, three in
hearts, three in diamonds and one club. But the hand needs
to be timed carefully to set the tricks up. Play on hearts to
drive out ♥A before the other tricks are cashed.
Board 2 : Dealer East
West
North
East
1♥
1♠
Pass
1NT
3NT
All Pass
South
Pass
Pass
East’s 1NT rebid shows 15–16 HCP and West raises
straight to game with twelve points. South leads ♣2.
Declarer should play on hearts. Four spades, three hearts
and two clubs makes nine tricks.
Board 3 : Dealer South
West
North
East
Pass
Pass
2♦
4♥
Pass
All Pass
South
1♠
2♥
With an 8-card fit in both majors prefer the 4-4 fit to the 5-3
fit. West should attack with ♣K after South has shown at
least five spades and four hearts. On any other lead South
makes twelve tricks easily as one club can be discarded on
a diamond. Well done the East/West pairs who held
declarer to eleven tricks.
Board 4 : Dealer West
West
North
East
1NT
Pass
2NT
South
All Pass
Despite the concentration of high cards in two suits, West
should open 1NT, but with only 12 HCP, should pass the
invitational raise to 2NT. North leads ♠5, being fourth
highest of the longest suit. West should not play dummy’s
♠A till the third round and should play on hearts to make
nine tricks, one in spades, three in hearts, one diamond and
four clubs. If you made nine tricks, you will wish you had bid
3NT but you cannot be right all the time. If North had held
♥A, 3NT would have gone down.
TR23
♠K842
♥KQ973
♦QJ
♣K8
♠95
♠76
♥54
♥AJ82
♦ K 10 9 8 6
♦752
♣ 10 9 4 2
♣A765
♠ A Q J 10 3
♥ 10 6
♦A43
♣QJ3
♠ Q J 10 6
♥A54
♦975
♣643
♠972
♠AK
♥J862
♥ Q 10 9 7 3
♦KQJ4
♦832
♣A7
♣KQ2
♠8543
♥K
♦ A 10 6
♣ J 10 9 8 5
♠Q92
♥Q9873
♦64
♣852
♠K765
♠A83
♥A2
♥ 10 6 5
♦J87
♦ K Q 10
♣KJ64
♣ Q 10 9 3
♠ J 10 4
♥KJ4
♦A9532
♣A7
♠ J 10 9 3
♥A85
♦Q742
♣87
♠A7
♠864
♥QJ763
♥K42
♦93
♦K865
♣KQ94
♣ J 10 2
♠KQ52
♥ 10 9
♦ A J 10
♣A653
Revision hands – B3H3
Board 5 : Dealer North
West
North
East
1♥
Pass
Pass
2♠
Pass
All Pass
South
1♠
4♠
South hears North’s opening bid and knows game is on
but South can afford to bid 1♠ because it is
forcing. North raises to 2♠ and now South jumps to
game. West has no attractive lead. If he tries ♥5 and
East wins ♥A and switches to a diamond declarer is
held to ten tricks . Otherwise South sets up a club
winner to discard a losing diamond from dummy and
makes eleven tricks for a score of 450 to North/South.
Board 6 : Dealer East
West
North
East
South
1♥
Pass
Pass
4♥
All Pass
3♥
South has an easy lead, ♣ J, the top of a sequence but
it is not enough to beat 4♥. Declarer plays trumps and
loses just two trump tricks and ♦A.
Board 7 : Dealer South
West
North
East
Pass
2♥
South
1NT
All Pass
North has an awful hand but it is quite correct to make a
bid on it rather than leave partner to struggle in 1NT.
East might lead ♦K, but North should win trick one and
play clubs straight away. Now it will be possible to ruff
the club loser in dummy. Even one round of trumps
before playing clubs can defeat declarer, if the defence
play trumps at every opportunity.
Board 8 : Dealer West
West
North
East
1♥
Pass
1NT
2♣
Pass
2♥
South
Pass
All Pass
With five hearts, West opens 1♥ and shows the clubs
when partner bids 1NT. East should put partner back to
the first bid suit by bidding 2♥. ♠J is the normal lead
and should hold West to eight tricks.
TR24
Exercise on entries and communications
How would you play these hands?
1
♠52
♥KJ7
♦7654
Contract: 6♠
♣7632
Lead: ♣K
♠ A Q J 10 9 8
♥ A Q 10
♦AK
♣A8
3
♠A532
♥QJ84
♦KQ
♣962
♠764
♥AK
♦A632
♣A843
5
♠AKQ
♥76
♦K5432
♣ 10 5 2
2
♠32
♥A53
♦8763
♣ K Q 10 9
♠ A 10
♥92
♦ K Q J 10 9
♣AJ87
Contract: 3NT
Lead: ♥Q
♠76
♥K4
♦AKQ543
♣854
4
i Contract: 3NT
Lead: ♠K
♠4
♥A32
♦7653
♣ K J 10 3 2
Contract: 6NT
Lead: ♥J
♠ A K Q J 10
♥K54
♦AKQ8
♣Q
ii Contract: 3NT
Lead: ♣K
6
Contract: 3NT
Lead: ♥K
♠743
♥A82
♦ Q J 10 9
♣AKQ
7
♠AJ952
♥A65
♦7
♣A763
♠54
♥632
♦94
♣AK8752
Contract: 3NT
Lead: ♠Q
♠AK73
♥A54
♦AJ32
♣43
8
Contract: 3NT
Lead: ♥K
♠AK
♥9852
♦AQ5
♣AKQJ
♠Q432
♥A76
♦632
♣874
Contract: 3NT
Lead: ♦4
TR24
Answers to exercise on entries and communications
1 Both a count of winners (12 only if you include six trump tricks) and losers (a club and
possibly ♠K) make it clear you cannot afford a trump loser. You may need two entries to
dummy to finesse spades, and these must come from the heart suit. Therefore win ♣A,
cross to dummy by overtaking ♥10 with ♥J (not ♥K) and finesse ♠Q. If successful, reenter dummy by overtaking ♥Q with ♥K for a second spade finesse. To bid to 6♠ is a bit
cavalier with only 28 points, but this is an exercise on play – not bidding!
2 You have seven top tricks and can establish two extra diamond winners provided the
suit breaks no worse than 4-2. However you must preserve ♥K as an entry to your hand,
so take dummy’s ♥A at trick one and cash your diamond winners from the top, conceding
the fourth round if they break 4-2.
3 You have nine top tricks but the awkward ‘blocked’ diamond and heart holdings make
entries to both hands potentially difficult. The play depends on which black ace the
opening lead removes.
Therefore:
i With ♠A removed it is entries to dummy which concern you. Cash ♥A K, then ♦K Q and
♥Q J. Finally return to your hand with ♣A to cash ♦A.
ii With ♣A removed you must be careful with entries to your hand. Cash ♦K Q, then ♥A K
and ♦A. Now re-enter dummy with ♠A to take ♥Q J.
If you are in doubt, try alternative lines of play with a pack of cards to see which
succeeds.
4 You have plenty of winners and no loser problems, so what can go wrong? If you take
♥K (correctly preserving ♥A as an entry to dummy) and play ♣Q, carelessly following
with dummy’s ♣2, an inspired defender might duck, leaving you with insufficient entries to
establish and enjoy any further club trick. (Try it and see!) You would then be dependent
on a friendly break in diamonds. To ensure your contract overtake ♣Q with ♣K, and if that
holds the trick continue with ♣J.
5 You have nine easy tricks once ♦A is dislodged, but there is a danger that the
defenders will take four heart tricks when you concede ♦A. It is worth withholding your
♥A for the first two rounds of hearts, in the hope that if hearts do break 5-3 or worse, the
hand with ♦A has no hearts left.
6 If clubs break 3-2, by conceding the third round of clubs you make five club tricks to go
with ♠A K, ♥A and ♦A. However it is not good enough to cash ♣A K and then give up a
club, as you have no further entry to dummy. Win ♠A and immediately concede a club.
7 It is tempting to duck, but then a spade switch would sink you without trace. At least the
hearts might break 4-4, so take advantage of your good fortune in avoiding a spade lead
by winning ♥A and driving out ♦A.
8 You have nine certain tricks: three spades, ♥A, ♦A and four clubs so what can go
wrong? A losing diamond finesse could easily be followed by a heart switch, knocking out
your entry to ♠Q, so rise with ♦A and cash your ♠A K.
TR25
♠J97
♥ Q J 10 8
♦J52
♣A64
♠32
♠AK5
♥AK4
♥7532
♦AK6
♦Q873
♣ Q J 10 9 8
♣32
♠ Q 10 8 6 4
♥96
♦ 10 9 4
♣K75
♠ 10 6 2
♥ 10 7
♦K65
♣ A Q J 10 2
♠94
♠8753
♥KQJ98
♥654
♦QJ8
♦A73
♣876
♣543
♠AKQJ
♥A32
♦ 10 9 4 2
♣K9
♠AK5
♥ 10 4 3
♦432
♣ K Q 10 9
♠87
♠ Q J 10 9 6
♥KJ86
♥Q97
♦KJ9
♦ Q 10 8
♣6432
♣A8
♠432
♥A52
♦A765
♣J75
♠ 10 8 6 5 4
♥ Q 10 2
♦ 10 9
♣972
♠K97
♠AQJ
♥53
♥A97
♦AQ752
♦K84
♣864
♣KQ53
♠32
♥KJ864
♦J63
♣ A J 10
Play hands on setting up winners.
Board 1 : Dealer North
West
North
East
Pass
Pass
1♣
Pass
1♦
2NT
Pass
3NT
South
Pass
Pass
All Pass
North should lead ♥Q. West can see 7 top tricks (2♠, 2♥,
3♦, 0♣). West can make 9 tricks by winning ♥K and playing
♣Q. North need not win his ace straightaway. If South wins
♣K first and returns a heart (partner’s lead), West wins ♥A
and plays ♣J. North wins ♣A and can cash two heart tricks
but West makes the rest.
Board 2 : Dealer East
West
North
East
South
Pass
1♠
Pass
2♣
Pass
3NT
All Pass
West should lead ♥K.
South can see ten top tricks (4♠, 1♥, 0♦, 5♣)
South will win ♥A and must cash ♣K then lead ♣9. That way
five club tricks can be cashed, followed by four spades.
Cash the honour from the short hand first.
Board 3 : Dealer South
West
North
East
Pass
1NT
South
Pass
All Pass
East should lead ♠Q.
North can see four top tricks (2♠, 1♥, 1♦, 0♣).
North can make seven tricks by driving out ♣A before
cashing the winners in other suits.
North makes two spades, one heart, one diamond, and
three clubs.
Board 4 : Dealer West
West
North
East
Pass
Pass
1♣
1♦
Pass
3NT
South
Pass
All Pass
South should lead a heart, his best suit. North plays ♥Q.
This sets up four heart winners for N/S.
East can see eight top tricks (3♠, 1♥, 3♦, 0♣). A club trick
could be set up by driving out ♣A, but N/S can cash four
heart winners. Instead hope diamonds break 3-2. Cash the
♦K and play ♦4 to dummy. Unless diamonds break 5-0 or 41 there will be five diamond tricks.
TR26
Quiz on declarer play in no trumps
You are West, the declarer, on these hands. You opened 1NT and East raised to 3NT.
1
West
♠QJ3
♥A43
♦A62
♣ K 10 3 2
East
♠AK4
♥Q7
♦K43
♣QJ874
2
West
♠Q74
♥ 10 6
♦A92
♣KQJ43
East
♠A862
♥AK2
♦K86
♣ 10 8 7
North leads ♦3. What card do you play
from dummy? Why?
3
West
♠5432
♥K4
♦ Q 10 7 3
♣AK2
East
♠A97
♥A32
♦KJ842
♣J3
North leads ♣6 . What card do you play
from dummy? Why?
4
West
♠QJ3
♥K43
♦A96
♣ K 10 3 2
East
♠AK4
♥87
♦K43
♣QJ874
North leads ♥2 and South plays ♥Q.
a) What card do you play from your hand?
Why?
5
West
♠982
♥AK3
♦ 10 9 8
♣KQJ4
East
♠AKQ
♥Q87
♦K4
♣ 10 8 6 3 2
North leads ♦Q. What card do you play
from dummy? Why?
6
West
♠A62
♥A32
♦9876
♣KJ8
East
♠J5
♥K76
♦AK3
♣ Q 10 9 7 2
North leads ♠K.
a) What card do you play from your hand?
Why?
a) North leads ♥5. What card do you play
from dummy? Why?
b) If South covers the card that you play
from dummy, what is your plan?
b) How do you hope to make your
contract?
b) What is your plan to make nine tricks?
TR26
Quiz on declarer play in no trumps - answers
You are West, the declarer, on these hands. You opened 1NT and East raised to 3NT.
1
2
3
4
5
6
West
East
a) North leads ♥5. What card do you play from
dummy? Why?
♠QJ3
♠AK4
b) If South covers the card that you play from dummy,
♥A43
♥Q7
what is your plan?
♦A62
♦K43
♣ K 10 3 2
♣QJ874
a) ♥Q. If North has ♥K, you will win the trick.
b) If South covers ♥Q with ♥K, you must hold up ♥A until the third round. You hope
that South has ♣A and no more hearts when he wins it.
West
East
North leads ♦3. What card do you play from dummy?
Why?
♠Q74
♠A862
♥ 10 6
♥AK2
♦A92
♦K86
♣ K Q J 4 3 ♣ 10 8 7
♦K. You plan to drive out ♣A and make four club tricks. But you must retain ♦A as an
entry to your hand since a defender can be as clever as declarer and hold up winning
♣A until the third round of the suit is played.
West
East
North leads ♣6 . What card do you play
from dummy? Why?
♠5432
♠A97
♥K4
♥A32
♦ Q 10 7 3
♦KJ842
♣AK2
♣J3
♣J. If North has ♣Q it will win the trick. If South has ♣Q he will keep it to deal with the
jack so your jack is unlikely to win whatever you do.
West
East
North leads ♥2 and South plays ♥Q.
a) What card do you play from your hand. Why?
♠QJ3
♠AK4
♥K43
♥87
b) How do you hope to make your contract?
♦A96
♦K43
♣ K 10 3 2
♣QJ874
a) ♥K (otherwise you may not win any trick in the suit).
b) Drive out ♣A. If the hearts split 4-4 you will make the contract. If North’s ♥2 is the
fourth highest of his longest suit, hearts will indeed split 4-4.
West
East
North leads ♦Q. What card do you play from dummy?
Why?
♠982
♠AKQ
♥AK3
♥Q87
♦ 10 9 8
♦K4
♣KQJ4
♣ 10 8 6 3 2
♦K. Either ♦K will win the trick or South will cover with ♦A and you will make either
♦10 or ♦9. You will now need to drive out ♣A and hope diamonds break 4-4.
West
East
North leads ♠K.
a) What card do you play from your hand? Why?
♠A62
♠J5
♥A32
♥K76
b) What is your plan to make nine tricks?
♦9876
♦AK3
♣KJ8
♣ Q 10 9 7 2
a) ♠2. And hold up again if North continues the suit.
b) After winning the third spade, play on clubs. You have nine easy tricks, provided
the defenders cannot first take four spade tricks to go with ♣A. You will succeed if the
missing spades divide 4-4. You will also succeed if they are 5-3 or 6-2, provided the
hand with long spades doesn’t hold ♣A. You allowed the defenders to win the first two
spades to disrupt their communications.
TR27
Card combinations
Play the given card combinations in NT to make the number of tricks specified. Use real
cards and try to place the missing cards where you hope they lie. Then play the cards to
check the answer is right.
1.
♠A42
♠Q53
2 tricks
2.
♥AQ5
♥643
2 tricks
3.
♦J4
♦AK63
3 tricks
4.
♣AQJ
♣542
3 tricks
5.
♠QJ3
♠642
1 trick
6.
♥KJ3
♥542
1 trick
Answers
1. You want East to hold ♠K. Lead ♠2 from North and play ♠Q if East plays low.
2. You want West to hold ♥K. Lead ♥3 from South, play ♥Q unless West plays ♥K.
3. You want West to hold ♦Q. Lead ♦3. If West plays low, play ♦J. If West plays ♦Q,
play the ♦4.
4. You want West to have ♣K. lead ♣2 and play ♣J if West plays low. Return to South
and lead ♣4, repeating the finesse if West plays low.
5. You want West to have ♠A or ♠K or both. Lead from South twice towards ♠Q J 3.
6. You make one trick if West has ♥Q or ♥A. You make two tricks if West has ♥A Q.
Lead ♥2 from South and play ♥J if West plays low. Return to South and lead ♥4.
TR28
Quiz on declarer play with trumps
You are West, the declarer, on these hands in a contract of 4♠.
1
West
♠ A Q J 10 3
♥AKQ
♦743
♣J2
East
♠7652
♥J
♦A82
♣K9876
North leads ♦K. You win ♦A. What do you
lead now? Why?
2
West
♠KQ764
♥642
♦KQ
♣KQJ
East
♠AJ832
♥K53
♦AJ
♣ 10 8 7
North leads ♦10. What hope do you have
of making the contract?
3
West
♠AKQ43
♥K64
♦2
♣ 10 7 6 2
East
♠J52
♥A32
♦A93
♣KQJ9
North leads ♦K. You win ♦A. What suit do
you play from dummy at the second trick?
Why?
4
West
♠AQJ96
♥A85
♦A6
♣K96
East
♠ K 10 8
♥92
♦87542
♣QJ3
North leads a spade. What suit do you play
at the second trick? Why?
5
West
♠ Q J 10 9 8 7
♥65
♦J8
♣A83
East
♠AK2
♥AK432
♦Q3
♣954
North leads ♦A and ♦K and now plays a
club to South’s ♣Q which you win with ♣A.
How do you plan to avoid losing two club
tricks to go with the two diamonds already
lost?
6
West
♠AQJ932
♥J82
♦8
♣AQ8
East
♠754
♥653
♦AKQ
♣ K J 10 7
Against your 4♠ contract, North leads ♥A
K Q. South follows to two hearts and
discards a diamond on the third. North
continues with ♦9. How do you play the
trump suit?
TR28
Quiz on declarer play with trumps - answers
You are West, the declarer, on these hands in a contract of 4♠.
1
West
East
North leads ♦K. You win ♦A. What do you lead now? Why?
♠ A Q J 10 3 ♠ 7 6 5 2
♥AKQ
♥J
♦743
♦A82
♣J2
♣K9876
♥J. Throw the two diamond losers in dummy on ♥K Q. Ruff a diamond in dummy, take a
spade finesse and, win or lose, there is still a trump left in dummy to ruff another
diamond. You cannot lose more than two clubs and one spade.
2
West
East
North leads ♦10. What hope do you have of making the
♠ K Q 7 6 4 ♠ A J 8 3 2 contract?
♥642
♥K53
♦KQ
♦AJ
♣KQJ
♣ 10 8 7
Draw trumps and hope North holds ♥A and, when you play towards ♥K 5 3, ♥K will
score the extra trick needed.
3
West
East
North leads ♦K. You win ♦A. What suit do you play from
dummy at the second trick?
♠AKQ43 ♠J52
Why?
♥K64
♥A32
♦2
♦A93
♣ 10 7 6 2
♣KQJ9
Spades. You have plenty of tricks available to make your contract. Do not be tempted to
ruff a diamond. What can possibly be gained by doing so?
4
North leads a spade. What suit do you play at the second
West
East
trick? Why?
♠ A Q J 9 6 ♠ K 10 8
♥A85
♥92
♦A6
♦87542
♣K96
♣QJ3
Hearts. If you draw trumps, you will have four losers (two hearts, one diamond and one
club). Play a heart at trick two and concede a heart. Then you can ruff the third heart in
dummy.
5
West
East
North leads ♦A and ♦K and now plays a club to South’s ♣Q
♠ Q J 10 9 8 7♠ A K 2
which you win with ♣A. How do you plan to avoid losing two
♥65
♥ A K 4 3 2 club tricks to go with the two diamonds already lost?
♦J8
♦Q3
♣A83
♣954
You have only nine tricks and the tenth can come by establishing one of dummy’s small
hearts. So cash ♥A K and trump a third heart. If both opponents follow, you are home.
Play ♠Q and another trump to dummy’s ♠A, followed by ♠K and cash two hearts, ending
up with an overtrick. If hearts break 4-2, after ruffing one heart, lead ♠8 to dummy’s ♠A
to ruff another heart. Play ♠Q, then a spade to dummy’s ♠K, to cash the heart winner.
6
West
East
Against your 4♠ contract, North leads ♥A K Q. South
follows to two hearts and discards a diamond on the third.
♠AQJ932 ♠754
North continues with ♦9. How do you play the trump suit?
♥J82
♥653
♦8
♦AKQ
♣AQ8
♣ K J 10 7
You need South to have ♠K, and you might have to finesse twice. Win ♦A and lead ♠4
to ♠Q. If that wins lead ♣8 to dummy’s ♣J and play ♠5 to your ♠J.
TR29
Card play revision B4H3
♠AK2
♥754
♦986
♣A642
♠943
♠8765
♥ Q 10 8 6 3
♥KJ
♦73
♦K542
♣KJ3
♣ Q 10 8
♠ Q J 10
♥A92
♦ A Q J 10
♣975
♠KQJ6
♥Q62
♦A54
♣765
♠754
♠A82
♥A85
♥KJ7
♦ Q 10 8 2
♦KJ63
♣982
♣A43
♠ 10 9 3
♥ 10 9 4 3
♦97
♣ K Q J 10
♠KQJ54
♥A42
♦QJ
♣986
♠72
♠A63
♥ 10 9 8
♥KQJ3
♦ 10 9 6 4 3
♦875
♣K32
♣ 10 7 5
♠ 10 9 8
♥765
♦AK2
♣AQJ4
♠93
♥9876
♦KJ74
♣J74
♠AKQJ42
♠ 10 7
♥ A 10 4
♥2
♦A9
♦ Q 10 8 6 3
♣65
♣KQ982
♠865
♥KQJ53
♦52
♣ A 10 3
Board 1 : Dealer North
West
North
East
Pass
Pass
Pass
2NT
Pass
All Pass
South
1NT
3NT
As North has passed initially, the 2NT raise
shows exactly 11 points. But over 2NT South, with an
excellent 14 points, should bid 3NT. Declarer repeatedly
crosses to dummy to finesse diamonds, making three
spades, one heart, four diamonds and one club.
Board 2 : Dealer East
West
North
East
1♦
2♦
All Pass
South
Pass
With 6 HCP, West has enough to support partner’s suit.
South has a good lead of ♣K. East has seven top
winners, after driving out ♦A. Another trick can be
made in hearts by finessing ♥J.
Board 3 : Dealer South
West
North
East
Pass
All pass
3♠
pass
South
1NT
4♠
South obeys North’s request to bid 4♠ with
at least 3 spades and East leads ♥K. Any South
tempted to try 3NT instead of 4♠ will regret it if West
finds ♥10 lead. Before drawing trumps, North has four
potential losers, two hearts, a club and a trump, and
should throw a heart on the diamonds before losing to
♠A.
Board 4 : Dealer West
West
North
East
South
1♠
Pass
1NT
Pass
4♠
All Pass
Without enough points to bid at the two-level, East
responds 1NT. West thinks game might make and bids
4♠. Declarer cannot be prevented from ruffing a heart in
dummy and will make eleven tricks if allowed to ruff two
hearts in dummy.
♠AJ
♥ A 10 8 3 2
♦98
♣ 10 6 4 2
♠93
♠8765
♥Q76
♥54
♦QJ5432
♦ 10 7 6
♣87
♣AKQJ
♠ K Q 10 4 2
♥KJ9
♦AK
♣953
♠85
♥A4
♦K852
♣AKQJ5
♠J72
♠ A 10 6 3
♥97532
♥J6
♦ Q J 10
♦A963
♣74
♣ 10 9 3
♠KQ94
♥ K Q 10 8
♦74
♣862
♠52
♥964
♦852
♣KQ872
♠J876
♠ K Q 10 9
♥AKJ72
♥Q3
♦973
♦ A Q 10 6 4
♣3
♣A6
♠A43
♥ 10 8 5
♦KJ
♣ J 10 9 5 4
♠765
♥AKJ3
♦632
♣QJ9
♠AKQ42
♠ J 10 8 3
♥ Q 10 4
♥765
♦K5
♦AQJ9
♣K53
♣42
♠9
♥982
♦ 10 8 7 4
♣ A 10 8 7 6
Board 5 : Dealer North
West
North
East
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
2♥
All Pass
South
1♠
4♥
North’s 2♥ response shows at least five hearts, so South can support
with only three.
East leads four top clubs, West plays high-low to show only two clubs
and throws a diamond on the third one. Where is the queen of trumps?
East has already shown up with 10 points and can’t have the ♥Q
because he passed initially. Declarer trumps the fourth round of clubs
with dummy’s ♥K, leads ♥J and finesses West for ♥Q.
Board 6 : Dealer East
West
North
East
South
Pass
Pass
Pass
1♣
Pass
1♥
Pass
2♦
Pass
3NT
All Pass
North’s 2♦ rebid shows a strong hand with at least five clubs and four
diamonds. South bids what looks to be the obvious contract. If West
chooses a safe lead of ♦Q, it proves to be a winning choice. Whenever
dummy’s ♦K is played the defence should be able to win four diamonds
and the ♠A, without giving declarer the lead.
Board 7 : Dealer South
West
North
East
Pass
1♥
2♠
4♠
Pass
Pass
Pass
All Pass
1♦
1♠
3♠
South
Pass
Pass
Pass
Pass
East-West should find their 4–4 spade fit and bid to 4♠. South leads
♣J. Declarer takes ♣A and should draw trumps. Now when he plays
hearts starting with ♥Q the 3-3 heart break means he has five heart
tricks. The diamond finesse loses so he makes only eleven tricks.
Board 8 : Dealer West
West
North
East
1♠
Pass
2♠
3♠
Pass
4♠
South
Pass
All Pass
3♠ is a game try and East has a maximum for 2♠ so goes on to 4♠.
North leads ♥A. If North continues with ♥K and ♥3, West makes a
heart trick and ten tricks all together. If North switches to ♣Q at trick 2,
South wins ♣A and returns a heart. Now West has lost four tricks
before gaining the lead. The clue to the switch is South’s ♥2 on ♥A. A
low card is a discouraging signal denying ♥Q. With ♥Q 9 8 2 South
should play the ♥9. Of course this clever signalling only works if South
remembers to play the right card and North is alert enough to notice it!
TR30
A
♠
♥
♦
♣
Examples to illustrate opening leads
A32
10 2
KJ843
J8
B
♠
♥
♦
♣
A J 10 8 2
83
J 10
10 8 7 6
C
♠
♥
♦
♣
10
J932
AQ76
Q 10 4 3
D
♠
♥
♦
♣
Q94
J 10 3
A432
KJ3
The opposition bidding is: 1NT – 2NT – 3NT.
A.
B.
C.
D.
♦4. Hoping to develop the suit, with a spade entry to enjoy it.
♠J. Hoping that partner will get the lead and return the suit.
♣3, since ♣A, ♣K or ♣ J in partner's hand will help. A diamond is likely to cost a trick.
♦2 is probably best although the ♥J is an alternative.
The opposition bidding is: 1♥ – 2♥ – 4♥
A.
B.
C.
D.
♣J. Nothing is attractive. A trump might solve declarer's problem of how to play them.
♦J. Now, looking for safety.
♣3 (as against 3NT). Not looking to ruff a spade, as you have a trump trick.
♥3 is probably best, but, lead your lowest heart in case partner has the singleton
queen!
TR31
Quiz on opening leads
You are on lead against the final contract. What do you lead in each case?
1
♠97
♥ K 10 4 3 2
♦973
♣AQ2
a
South North
1NT 3NT
b
South North
1♥
1♠
1NT 3NT
c
South North
1♥
2♣
2♦
3NT
d
South North
1♥
1♠
2♠
2♦
2NT 3NT
2
♠A87
♥7
♦KQ2
♣976432
a
South North
1NT 3NT
b
South North
1NT 6NT
c
South North
1♠
3♠
d
South North
1♥
4♥
3
♠ Q J 10 9
♥854
♦A8643
♣2
a
South North
INT
3NT
b
South North
1NT 3♠
3NT 6NT
c
South North
1♠
4♠
d
South North
1♥
4♥
4
♠987
♥AK954
♦ 10 3
♣974
a
South North
1NT 3NT
b
South North
1NT 3♥
3NT
c
South North
1♠
4♠
d
South North
1♠
1NT
3♥
4♠
5
♠87
♥Q7632
♦ A 10 5
♣973
a
South North
1♠
1NT
b
South North
1♥
1NT
c
S W N E
1♥ 1♠
1NT
d
South North
1♣
1♥
1♠
1NT
TR31
Answers to Quiz on opening leads
1
c
d
South North
South North
1♥
1♥
1♠
2♣
2♦
2♦
2♠
3NT
2NT 3NT
a Lead ♥3. Fourth highest of your longest and strongest suit.
b Lead ♦7. MUD (Middle up down) from a weak 3 card suit. South’s heart bid has put
you off a heart lead.
c Lead ♠9. The unbid suit.
d Lead ♠9. North has a weak hand with 6 spades but declarer has at most one spade.
♠9 should be passive.
2
a
b
♠A87
South
North
South North
♥7
1NT 3NT
1NT 6NT
♦KQ2
♣976432
a Lead a club, from your longest suit.
b Lead ♦K, setting up a second trick to go with ♠A.
c Lead ♥7, a singleton, hoping for a ruff.
d Lead a passive ♣7.
3
a
b
c
d
♠ Q J 10 9
South
North
South
North
South
North
South North
♥854
1NT
3NT
4♥
1NT 3♠
1♠
4♠
1♥
♦A8643
3NT 6NT
♣2
a Lead ♠Q. ♦4 isn’t wrong either but the spades are so solid!
b Lead ♠Q. Yes, they have bid them but with a solid suit that shouldn’t bother you.
c Lead ♠Q. Cut down cross ruffing. You don’t particularly want a club ruff!
d Lead ♣2 (aiming for a ruff) or ♠Q. Either is reasonable.
4
a
b
c
d
♠987
South
North
South
North
South
North
South North
♥AK954
1NT 3NT
1NT 3♥
1♠
4♠
1♠
1NT
♦ 10 3
3NT
3♥
4♠
♣974
a Lead ♥5. Keep communications open with partner.
b Lead ♠8. North has 5 hearts so you won’t set up hearts. Maybe partner has spades.
c Lead ♥A. Hope to cash ♥A K and give partner a ruff.
d Lead ♠9, a trump. Try to stop heart ruffs in dummy and hope your heart holding
causes declarer problems.
5
♠87
♥Q7632
♦ A 10 5
♣973
♠97
♥ K 10 4 3 2
♦973
♣AQ2
a
South North
1NT 3NT
a
South North
1♠
1NT
b
South North
1♥
1♠
1NT 3NT
b
South North
1♥
1NT
a Lead ♥3, hoping to set the suit up.
b Lead a passive ♣7. North has bid hearts.
c Lead ♠8, your partner’s suit.
d Lead something passive: maybe ♠8 or ♣7.
c
South North
1♠
3♠
c
S W N E
1♥ 1♠
1NT
d
South North
1♥
4♥
d
South North
1♣
1♥
1♠
1NT
TR32
What might the lead be from?
Suppose the auction is
1♠
2♠
Card
led
pass
pass
2♣
4♠
pass
all pass
This lead might be chosen from a hand like this
Same lead
1NT 3NT?
♥A
♠432
♥AK432
♦97
♣ Q 10 6
♥K
♠432
♥KQJ9
♦K7
♣ Q 10 6 5
No
Yes
♥Q
♠432
♥QJ93
♦K7
♣ Q 10 6 5
Yes
♥J
♠432
♥ J 10 9 7
♦K754
♣65
Yes
♥10
♠43
♥ Q 10 9 8
♦K754
♣ J 10 9
Yes
♥9
♠432
♥98
♦76543
♣KJ9
No
♦6
♥8
♠432
♥8
♦76543
♣K532
♦6
♥7
♠43
♥9752
♦AQ87
♣ Q 10 6
No
Yes
♥6
♠Q32
♥864
♦AQ8
♣QJ96
♣Q or ♥6
♠5
♠765
♥A7653
♦A6
♣KJ9
No
♥4
♠Q32
♥ Q 10 6 4
♦A964
♣K6
♥4 or ♦4
♥3
♠ J 10 3
♥3
♦ 7 6 5 4 3 2 ♣ Q 10 6
No
♠J or ♦6
♠2
♠432
♥2
♦ A Q 10 3 2 ♣ A Q 10 6
No
♦3
♥3
♥5
On the last hand, leading ♥2 against 4♠ is wrong because you have too many points
for partner to have an entry. You are much more likely to damage partner’s heart
holding than you are to get a ruff. Whereas ♥3 stands out on the penultimate hand.
TR33
1
Quiz on third hand play
You are East after South’s 1NT opening bid has been raised to
3NT. West (your partner) leads ♣3 and dummy plays ♣4 from:
What card do you play from these club holdings?
2
a♣KQ2
b♣AJ5
c♣KJ5
d♣J92
You are East after South’s 1NT opening bid has been raised to
3NT. West (your partner) leads ♣3 and dummy plays ♣4 from:
What card do you play from these club holdings?
3
a♣AK2
b♣AKJ
c♣AJ5
d ♣ K 10 2
You are East after South’s 1NT opening bid has been raised to
3NT. West (your partner) leads ♣8 and dummy plays ♣A from:
What card do you play from these club holdings?
4
♠KJ7
♥A52
♦AJ32
♣ 10 7 4
♠KJ7
♥A52
♦QJ32
♣Q74
♠KJ7
♥Q52
♦QJ32
♣A74
a ♣ 10 6 3
b♣KQ72
c♣KQ32
d♣KQJ32
West leads ♥Q against 3NT. You are East.
i Plan the defence:
a If North follows with ♥A.
b If North follows with ♥5
North
♠AQ6
♥A95
♦K95
♣ J 10 9 4
South North
East
♥Q led
1NT 3NT
♠8432
pass
♥K2
♦ 10 6 2
♣8632
ii Now consider the same example if instead North’s hearts were ♥A 10 5
5
You are West after South's 1NT opening bid has been passed out. You lead ♣4
from a holding of ♣K 8 7 4 3. Dummy plays ♣5 from ♣6 5 doubleton.
i If East's ♣Q wins the trick can you say who has:
a ♣J? b ♣A?
ii If East's ♣J loses to South's ♣A can you say who has:
a ♣10? b ♣Q?
iii If East's ♣10 loses to South's ♣J can you say who has:
a ♣9? b ♣Q? c ♣A?
iv If East's ♣10 loses to South's ♣Q can you say who has:
a ♣J? b ♣A?
TR33
Answers to quiz on third hand play
1
a
b
c
d
♣Q. Third hand high, but lower of touching honours.
♣A. Third hand high. Playing ♣J is not taking a finesse.
♣K. As with (b).
♣9. Keep ♣J for dummy's ♣10.
2
a
b
c
d
♣K. Third hand high, but lower of touching honours.
♣J. Common sense.
♣J. ♣A and ♣J surround dummy's ♣Q, with a gap of only one card.
♣10. Similar to (c).
3
a
b
c
d
♣3, You have no reason to encourage West to continue clubs.
♣7, to encourage a club continuation.
♣3, You don't have a higher club that you can afford.
♣K, A spectacular signal for a club continuation.
4
i
a West has led from a heart suit headed by ♥Q J 10. Your ♥K blocks the
suit, so jettison it now.
b As above. Return ♥2.
ii
a West's hearts now are headed by ♥Q J 9, and unblocking ♥K will hand
dummy a second heart trick. Play ♥2 and hope.
b As above.
i
a South has ♣J. East's ♣Q denies ♣J.
b South has ♣A. If East had it East would have played it to trick 1 (third
hand plays high).
ii
a South has ♣10. East's ♣J denies ♣10,
b East has ♣Q, If South had it South would not have needed to waste his
♣A on trick 1.
5
iii
iv
a South has ♣9. East's ♣10 denies ♣9.
b South has ♣Q, If East had it East would have played it (third hand plays
high) rather than ♣10.
c South has ♣A, for the same reason as (b).
a You don’t know who has ♣J, East would have played ♣10 from ♣10 2 or
from ♣J 10 2.
b South has ♣A, as in (iii)(c).
TR34
Quiz on play of the cards by defender
North is the dummy in each of the following problems.
984
1
Q765
J played
West leads the five, East plays the jack
and South wins the ace. Who has the
king and who has the ten?
A wins
84
2
K 10 6 2
Q played
A wins
653
3
10 played
J8742
West leads the two, East plays the
queen and South wins the ace. Who
has the jack? How does this affect the
defence?
West leads the four, East plays the ten
and South wins with the king. What
exactly does South hold in the suit?
K wins
Q74
4
2 led
AJ6
K74
5
Q 10 5
2 led
K74
6
2 led
A J 10 9
K74
7
Q led
A82
The four is played from dummy. What
should East play?
The four is played from dummy. What
should East play?
The four is played from dummy. What
should East play?
The four is played from dummy. What
should East play?
TR34
Quiz on play of the cards by defender - answers
984
1
Q765
J played
West leads the five, East plays the jack and
South wins the ace. Who has the king and
who has the ten?
A wins
South must have both the king and the ten. If either of those cards were in the East
hand, one of them should have been played. Note that, by playing the jack, East denies
holding the ten.
84
2
K 10 6 2
Q played
West leads the two, East plays the queen
and South wins the ace. Who has the jack?
How does this affect the defence?
A wins
South has the jack since East would have played it in preference to the queen. The
defence must therefore wait until East can lead the suit through South’s known jack.
West is unable to lead the suit without giving South an extra trick (unless South started
with A J doubleton).
653
3
J8742
10 played
West leads the four, East plays the ten and
South wins with the king. What exactly does
South hold in the suit?
K wins
A K Q 9. If the East hand held any one of those four cards, it would have been played
instead of the ten. Note the value of the knowledge West gains by being able to identify
nine points in South’s hand after the first trick.
Q74
4
2 led
AJ6
The four is played from dummy. What
should East play?
The jack (retaining the ace to deal with dummy’s queen). Say South held K 8 3: playing the
ace would establish two tricks for declarer.
K74
5
2 led
Q 10 5
The four is played from dummy. What
should East play?
The Q. Third hand plays high unless there is a good reason not to. In the last question we
saved the ace to beat the king. Here our queen will never beat the king, so play it now.
K74
6
2 led
A J 10 9
The four is played from dummy. What
should East play?
The 9. The lowest card that will do the job required and withholding the ace to kill the king in
dummy.
K74
7
Q led
A82
The four is played from dummy. What
should East play?
The 8. A high card used as a signal to encourage West to continue with the suit led.
TR35
Example hands for discussing overcalls
What do you bid over an opening 1♣
♣ by your RHO?
1
2
3
♠ A Q 10 5 2
♠Q65
♠Q65
♥6
♥AJ87
♥AKJ7
♦QJ87
♦ Q 10
♦ Q 10
♣983
♣KJ32
♣KJ32
Pass (no good bid)
1NT – compare this
Bid 1♠ – a bit thin but
with the previous hand
it shuts out hearts.
What do you bid over an opening 1♠
♠?
4
5
♠ 10 2
♠J64
♥AJ2
♥Q98
♦ A Q J 10 9 5
♦AJ543
♣K8
♣KJ
Pass
Bid 3♦ (or 2♦)
TR36
6
♠2
♥ K Q 10 9 7 6
♦ A 10 8 3
♣J 4
Bid 2♥
Responding to partner’s overcall
What do you respond to partner’s 1♠
♠ overcall after the auction?
West
1♦
North
1♠
1
East
Pass
2
South
?
3
4
5
6
♠Q65
♠K754
♠87
♠ 10 2
♠ J 10 4
♠J2
♥A2
♥AJ87
♥K53
♥K52
♥QJ2
♥AJ3
♦J654
♦97
♦Q865
♦ Q 10 7 6
♦54
♦83
♣8754
♣QJ8
♣Q764
♣AQ74
♣KJ865
♣ K Q 10 9 6 4
Bid 2♠
Bid 3♠
Pass
Bid 1NT
Bid 2♠
Bid 2♣
TR37
Some borderline hands
Some hands don’t quite fit any of the three standard methods of competing. What do you
make of each of these example hands?
1
♠
♥
♦
♣
AQ65
K8
KJ87
A64
2
♠
♥
♦
♣
Q5
AJ9
K7
A Q 10 8 6 3
3
♠
♥
♦
♣
A5
J54
AK72
KJ63
In each case, right hand opponent opens 1♥. What action is best?
1. Holding 17 HCP everybody will want to bid, it’s just a question of what is best. Prefer
a takeout double, rather than 1NT, on the first hand. It has only one heart guard, 4
spades and support for all suits.
2. 1NT is probably best on the second hand. Here 2♣, or even 3♣, would not be a
mistake but the hand is rather strong; the heart guards and club suit could mean a lot
of tricks in no trumps.
3. The third hand really has no good bid. It has no heart guard, no support for spades
and good defensive prospects. Try for a plus score by passing and getting the
opponents down.
TR38
Examples of bidding after a 1NT overcall
Partner overcalls 1NT and opponents are silent thereafter, what do you bid?
1
♠
♥
♦
♣
West
KJ5
AK7
K8
K 10 8 3 2
♠
♥
♦
♣
East
Q 10 8 4 3
64
J92
AQ4
West
North East
1NT
4♠
pass 3♠
all pass
South
1♥
pass
East has enough for game and shows five spades, so West chooses the suit contract.
3NT might go down on a diamond lead, but 4♠ should be safe.
2
♠
♥
♦
♣
West
65
Q3
543
KQJ954
♠
♥
♦
♣
East
K 10 8
AK4
Q 10 7 6
A32
West
3NT
North East
1♦
1NT
all pass
South
pass
The strong club suit should produce plenty of tricks in no trumps, so West is worth a
game bid. 3NT offers the best practical chance.
3
♠
♥
♦
♣
West
762
K 10
J 10 3
K7654
♠
♥
♦
♣
East
KQ83
AQ73
A5
QJ2
West
North
1♠
2NT pass
all pass
East
1NT
3NT
A reasonable 7-point hand and some shape makes West worth a game try.
South
pass
pass
TR39
Responding to partners opening bid after a 1NT overcall
West
1♦
North
1NT
East
?
South
Knowing that West, your partner, has an opening bid, what should East (you) do?
1
♠A87
♥J7643
♦86
♣ J 10 5
Pass. You would have responded 1♥ but you are too weak to bid
at the two-level.
2
♠87
♥KQ74
♦ J 10 4 2
♣754
Bid 2♦. Again a response of 1♥ would be right without the
overcall; now it is very unlikely this is a game hand for your side;
it’s better to settle for your known fit.
3
♠ K Q 9 8 5 2 Bid 2♠. It looks better for you to play in 2♠ than to leave North in
♥43
1NT, and that’s all the bid means. 2♠ is not forcing, partner should
♦Q5
only bid on with a strong hand or a fit in spades.
♣963
4
♠AQ982
♥Q4
♦Q53
♣963
Double. Your side has the majority of the points and 1NT should
go down. You should lead a diamond, partner’s suit, and not a
spade.
TR40
A
Examples to illustrate planning the use of Stayman
♠
♥
♦
♣
AJ54
95
K 10 7
QJ93
With A
With B
With C
With D
B
987
AQ43
KQ65
K8
C
♠
♥
♦
♣
AJ54
AQ43
A7
432
D
♠
♥
♦
♣
J543
AQ43
A7
432
Bid 2♣ then raise a rebid of 2♠ to 3♠, bid 2NT over 2♦ or 2♥
Bid 2♣ then raise 2♥ to 4♥, bid 3NT over 2♦ or 2♠
Bid 2♣ then raise 2♥ to 4♥, raise 2♠ to 4♠, bid 3NT over 2♦
Bid 2♣ then raise 2♥ to 3♥, raise 2♠ to 3♠, bid 2NT over 2♦
TR41
A
♠
♥
♦
♣
Other uses of Stayman
♠
♥
♦
♣
KJ65
K9853
9
J64
B
♠
♥
♦
♣
Q65
A652
97643
5
C
♠
♥
♦
♣
8
32
Q965
KJ7532
Bid 2♣ then 2♥ over 2♦, pass if partner bids 2♥ or 2♠. Without
Stayman responder would just bid 2♥; Stayman adds another option.
Bid 2♣ and pass any rebid. This is quite a rare use of Stayman;
responder has to be sure that any bid opener makes will be a playable
contract.
Bid 2♣ and then 3♣ over any rebid. Using Stayman means you can't
sign off in 2♣, so you have to play in 3♣. 3♣ is likely to be a far better
spot than 1NT and, even if it fails, opponents could have made a
major suit contract.
With A
With B
With C
TR42
Hands to make up and play
Ask the students to make up pairs of hands that fit the following bidding sequences:
1
5
1NT
2♥
pass
1NT
2♥
4♠
2♣
4♥
2♣
3NT
pass
2
6
1NT
2♥
pass
1NT
2♦
2♣
2NT
2♣
pass
3
7
1NT
2♠
pass
1NT
2♥
pass
2♣
3NT
4
2♣
3♣
8
1NT
2♦
3NT
1NT
2♦
pass
If you only covered simple Stayman, just use auctions 1 to 5.
Using all eight auctions will probably mean students only play some of the boards.
2♣
2NT
pass
2♣
2♥
TR43
Practice hands on Stayman B7H1
♠K765
♥QJ74
♦AQ9
♣85
♠A32
♠ J 10 9 8
♥98
♥A65
♦864
♦ K 10 2
♣ K 10 4 3 2
♣Q76
♠Q4
♥ K 10 3 2
♦J753
♣AJ9
♠K86
♥642
♦ J 10 8 6 5 3
♣2
♠A2
♠975
♥KQJ3
♥ A 10 8 5
♦K74
♦A2
♣J953
♣KQ87
♠ Q J 10 4 3
♥97
♦Q9
♣ A 10 6 4
♠A64
♥J7
♦AJ983
♣A83
♠ K 10 8 5 2
♠Q93
♥942
♥A865
♦K54
♦ Q 10
♣65
♣ 10 9 4 2
♠J7
♥ K Q 10 3
♦762
♣KQJ7
♠ Q 10 8 5
♥954
♦KJ74
♣A4
♠A76
♠2
♥AK82
♥ Q J 10 3
♦8653
♦A2
♣K7
♣ Q J 10 9 8 3
♠KJ943
♥76
♦ Q 10 9
♣652
Board 5 : Dealer North
West
North
East
1NT
Pass
Pass
Pass
2♥
All Pass
South
2♣
3♥
With both majors North shows the cheaper in response to
Stayman. South invites game but North is minimum. East
leads ♠J. It’s a slightly fiddly hand to play but declarer
should just get home, losing a trick in each suit.
Board 6 : Dealer East
West
North
East
1NT
2♣
Pass
2♥
4♥
All Pass
South
Pass
Pass
Stayman unearths the heart fit and West bids game. There’s
just a small trap in the play. South probably leads ♠Q. Win,
draw trumps and play on clubs, making 11 tricks if you
guess who has long clubs. If you fail to draw trumps you
could run into club ruffs.
Board 7 : Dealer South
West
North
East
Pass
3NT
South
1NT
All Pass
Despite the weaknesses in two suits South should open
1NT. North has no reason to look for an alternative game.
This is an exercise in hold up play. West leads ♠5 and
declarer must duck twice. If the defence clear spades
declarer wins and plays on hearts, not diamonds. With
spades breaking 5-3, if West held ♥A the contract would be
doomed anyway, but if East has it there are nine tricks.
Board 8 : Dealer West
West
North
East
1NT
Pass
2♣
2♥
Pass
3♥
4♥
All Pass
South
Pass
Pass
East was intending to sign off in 3♣ but when the heart fit
comes to light makes a try for game. West has no hesitation
in accepting. Whatever North leads declarer can draw
trumps and set up dummy’s club suit by driving out ♣A.
TR44
Hands to illustrate 4441 openings
1) West dealer
West
♠AQ43
♥A764
♦9
♣ K 10 5 4
East
♠KJ65
♥KQ3
♦J52
♣QJ2
West
1♣
2♠
East
1♠
4♠
With a red suit singleton West
opens the suit below the singleton.
East has a no-trump shape but
must show his major, so the 4-4
spade fit comes to light.
2) East dealer
West
♠K42
♥K4
♦AQ7
♣ J 10 9 6 5
East
♠AQJ3
♥A987
♦K654
♣3
West
East
1♥
2♦
East opens the middle of three
touching suits. He has to rebid 2♦
which is a slight cause for concern
because West might believe East
has five hearts. There isn’t very
much he can do about that. 3NT
shows game values and a spade
stopper.
West
1♦
3♥
East
1♥
4♥
West opens the middle of three
touching suits. East doesn’t
immediately support diamonds, he
first looks for a major suit fit. 3NT
would fail on a spade lead because
declarer cannot come to nine tricks
without driving out ♦A.
West
East
1NT
No 4-4-4-1 shape this time, just a
common or garden 1NT opener for
East.
East
1♥
3NT
With a red suit singleton West
opens the suit below the singleton,
despite the fact that his spades are
far better than his diamonds. East
has a no-trump shape but must
show his major. West rebids his
spades and East shows his club
stopper and game values with a
leap to 3NT.
3) West dealer
West
East
♠6
♠A54
♥AQ76
♥KJ42
♦KQJ8
♦ 10 9 6 5
♣K932
♣Q6
4) East dealer
West
East
♠632
♠AJ87
♥ Q J 10
♥K876
♦K87
♦AQ2
♣AK65
♣74
5) West dealer
West
East
♠AKQJ
♠63
♥7
♥AK65
♦K654
♦A32
♣Q865
♣K932
2♣
3NT
3NT
West
1♦
1♠
TR45
♠AQ632
♥82
♦J652
♣Q4
♠4
♠ 10 9 8
♥ J 10 5 3
♥K94
♦ 10 7 3
♦A4
♣ A J 10 7 6
♣K9853
♠KJ75
♥AQ76
♦KQ98
♣2
♠ J 10 8 6 5
♥ 10 3
♦AK98
♣ Q 10
♠74
♠AKQ2
♥KQ65
♥AJ42
♦J62
♦4
♣AK76
♣9543
♠93
♥987
♦ Q 10 7 5 3
♣J82
♠ K J 10 9
♥Q5432
♦84
♣AK
♠2
♠6543
♥J98
♥ A K 10 7
♦ Q 10 5 3 2
♦J9
♣ J 10 9 2
♣Q85
♠AQ87
♥6
♦AK76
♣7643
♠J8754
♥J6
♦AK97
♣J7
♠6
♠AK32
♥A432
♥KQ5
♦ J 10 6 5
♦32
♣AK96
♣Q432
♠ Q 10 9
♥ 10 9 8 7
♦Q84
♣ 10 8 5
Hands to illustrate 4441 openings
Board 1 : Dealer North
West
North
East
Pass
Pass
Pass
1♠
Pass
Pass
4♠
all pass
South
1♥
3♠
South opens 1♥, the middle of three touching suits. North shows his
spades and South, with 15 points, 4-card spade support and a
singleton has enough for 3♠.
Declarer loses tricks to ♦A and ♣A but the heart finesse is right and
provided he draws trumps quickly he should lose no more tricks.
Board 2 : Dealer East
West
North
East
1♣
1♥
Pass
2♥
4♥
All Pass
South
Pass
Pass
With a red suit singleton East opens the suit below the singleton.
The fact that his clubs are far weaker than his major suits is
irrelevant. West doesn’t immediately support clubs, he looks for a
major suit fit by bidding 1♥. East raises to 2♥ and West has enough
for game.
In the play, after drawing trumps if declarer cashes ♣A K and
concedes a club. His last club becomes a length winner.
Board 3 : Dealer South
West
North
East
South
1♦
Pass
1♠
Pass
1♥
Pass
4♠
All Pass
With a red suit singleton South opens the suit below the singleton.
North responds with his longest suit. South rebids spades and North
has enough for game in the known fit.
Declarer shouldn’t draw trumps. He should cash ♦A K and ♣A K and
concede a heart. When he regains the lead he can cross-ruff with
high trumps, possibly even making twelve tricks if defenders never
get round to leading trumps.
Board 4 : Dealer West
West
North
East
South
1♦
Pass
1♠
Pass
2♣
Pass
3NT
All Pass
West opens 1♦, the middle of three touching suits. East shows his
spades and West rebids 2♣. East might believe that West probably
has five diamonds but that cannot be helped. With a good stopper in
hearts, the unbid suit, and enough for game East has an easy 3NT
bid. He also has a club fit, but nine tricks for game in 3NT tend to be
easier than eleven tricks in 5♣.
Declarer’s ninth trick comes from the 3-2 club break.
TR46
Which hands are suitable for opening 2NT?
Would you open 2NT with each of these hands? If not, why not?
1.
♠KQ98
♥AQ8
♦ A J 10
♣KQJ
2. ♠ K Q J 9 8 6
♥AQ
♦ A J 10
♣KQ
3. ♠ A K Q 9 3
♥Q
♦ A J 10 4
♣KQJ
4.
♠ 10 9 8 2
♥AQ8
♦AQJ
♣KQJ
5. ♠ A K Q 9
♥AQ8
♦ A J 10
♣KQJ
6. ♠ K Q
♥AQ8
♦ J 10 8
♣ A K J 10 8
(1) Yes
(2) No - not balanced
(3) No - not balanced
(4) No - too weak
(5) No - too strong (next topic)
(6) Yes
TR47
Responses to 2NT openings
Partner opens 2NT.
How many points has partner shown?
Should you be in game?
What do you respond?
Hand
Your Bid
Starting hand
♠ A 10 8 7 6 3
♥J5
♦953
♣73
4♠
Change:
♠3 to ♥3
♠ A 10 8 7 6
♥J53
♦953
♣73
3♠
Change:
♠6 to ♣6
♠ A 10 8 7
♥J53
♦953
♣763
3♣
Change:
♠A to ♣A
♠ 10 8 7
♥J53
♦953
♣A763
Change:
♠10 and
♠8 to
♣10 and
♣8
♠7
♥J53
♦953
♣ A 10 8 7 6 3
3NT
3NT
(not 5♣)
TR48
Bidding quiz on 2♣
♣ Opening
Bid the East/West hands with a partner. If you are on your own, write down how you
think the bidding should go. N/S pass throughout.
West
East
Your auction
West
1 You are dealer
♠AKQ9
♥KJ7
♦AQ2
♣AK5
1 West is dealer
♠632
♥A4
♦7543
♣9862
2. East is dealer
♠KQ986
♥ 10 6 5 4
♦ 10 9
♣K2
2. You are dealer
♠ A J 10
♥QJ2
♦AKQ
♣AQ93
3. You are dealer
♠ A K Q 10 7 4
♥65
♦AK
♣AK2
3. West is dealer
♠632
♥843
♦QJ532
♣54
4. East is dealer
♠KQ765
♥Q54
♦J3
♣632
4. You are dealer
♠A
♥ A K J 10 9
♦AQ62
♣KQJ
5. You are dealer
♠K5
♥KQ87
♦AKQ3
♣KQJ
5. West is dealer
♠A732
♥ J 10 9 6
♦652
♣43
6. East is dealer
♠KQ5
♥Q87
♦A985
♣753
6. You are dealer
♠A84
♥AK
♦KQJ
♣AKQ98
East
TR48
Bidding quiz on 2♣
♣ Opening - answers
West
1 You are dealer
♠AKQ9
♥KJ7
♦AQ2
♣AK5
East
1 West is dealer
♠632
♥A4
♦7543
♣9862
2. East is dealer
♠KQ986
♥ 10 6 5 4
♦ 10 9
♣K2
2. You are dealer
♠ A J 10
♥QJ2
♦AKQ
♣AQ93
3. You are dealer
♠ A K Q 10 7 4
♥65
♦AK
♣AK2
3. West is dealer
♠632
♥843
♦QJ532
♣54
4. East is dealer
♠KQ765
♥Q54
♦J3
♣632
4. You are dealer
♠A
♥ A K J 10 9
♦AQ62
♣KQJ
5. You are dealer
♠K5
♥KQ87
♦AKQ3
♣KQJ
5. West is dealer
♠A732
♥ J 10 9 6
♦652
♣43
6. East is dealer
♠KQ5
♥Q87
♦A985
♣753
6. You are dealer
♠A84
♥AK
♦KQJ
♣AKQ98
West
2♣
3NT
2♠
4♠
2♣
2♠
4♠
2♠
4♥
2♣
2NT
3♥
2NT
7NT
East
2♦
2♣
3♠
2♦
3♠
2♣
3♥
2♦
3♣
4♥
2♣
6NT
Comments
West, with 26 points, should rebid
3NT to show 25-27 points. In fact,
even if West only bids 2NT, East has
enough to raise to game.
East has a balanced 23 points and is
planning to rebid 2NT. When West
gives a positive response of 2♠, this
shows a good 5+ suit, so East
changes his mind and raises to 3♠.
West has 23 points and can see ten
tricks in his hand, so opens 2♣. After
the 2♦ negative, West bids 2♠,
which is forcing to game. East, with
three spades and three points should
bid 3♠.
East with 24 points opens 2♣. West
is just worth 2♠, East bids 3♥, which
West is happy to raise to 4♥. If West
were to bid 2♦, East would bid 2♥,
which West would happily raise to
4♥.
East has not enough for a positive
response but can use Stayman after
the 23-24 2NT rebid. 4♥ is a better
contract than 3NT and just loses two
aces.
West’s 2NT positive shows 8+ points
with useful cards. East has 26 points
so E/W must have at least 34. East
can bid 6NT and a brave West might
even bid 7NT with 11 points!
TR49
Bidding hands after a 2♣
♣ opening
West
North
East
South
pass
2♣
2NT
pass
pass
2♦
3NT
pass
2♣
4♠
pass
2♠
pass
pass
2NT
4♠
pass
2♣
2♥
pass
pass
2♦
4♥
pass
2♣
3NT
pass
2NT
pass
Board 1
Board 2
Board 3
Board 4
Board 5
Board 6
2♦
3NT
pass
2♣
3♣
pass
pass
pass
pass
2♦
2♠
pass
pass
2♣
2♥
4♠
2♣
2♠
3♥
pass
pass
pass
2♦
3♦
4♥
Board 7
Board 8
2♣
3♠
pass
pass
TR50
Practice opening Strong Twos
What is the opening with these hands?
1.
♠A6
♥ A K Q 10 6 2
♦AK
♣973
5 heart tricks + 3
others = 8.
Open 2♥.
TR51
2.
♠AKQ843
♥AKJ98
♦5
♣4
With 6-5 open 2♠
and follow 2NT
(negative) with 4♥.
3.
♠Q7543
♥AK652
♦AK
♣A
20 HCP but not
good enough for a
strong 2 opener.
Open 1♠ and jump
to 3♥.
4.
♠ none
♥AKQ8654
♦AQJ873
♣ none
Freak hands like
this are difficult to
bid. Open 2♥ and
rebid 6♦.
Continuing the auction
The auction starts 2♠ 2NT, 3♥. What do you bid next with these hands?
1.
♠65
♥43
♦QJ65
♣87642
Bid 3♠. Show
‘preference’ for the
first suit which
should be longer.
2.
♠Q87
♥76
♦87652
♣K965
With ‘a feature’ in
the suit opened bid
4♠.
3.
♠65
♥7643
♦96532
♣98
3♥ is forcing, so
you cannot pass.
Bid 4♥.
4.
♠8
♥72
♦AJ86532
♣532
You have to bid
something over
3♥. 4♦ must say
your suit is fairly
good.
TR52
Exercise on bidding strong hands
Cover up the lower half of the page until you have tried the questions.
Your hand
♠KQ7
♥AK53
♦ K 10 4
♣AJ3
Points
Opening?
Partner
1♠
♠KJ7
♥AK53
♦ K 10 4
♣QJ3
1♠
♠AKQ
♥K53
♦ K J 10 4
♣AK3
2♦
♠KJ7
♥AK53
♦ K 10 4
♣AJ3
Reason
Reason
3♣
♠KJ7
♥AK53
♦ K 10 4
♣AJ3
Your hand
♠KQ7
♥AK53
♦ K 10 4
♣AJ3
Rebid?
Points
Opening?
Partner
Rebid?
20
2NT
3♣
3♥
Partner is asking
for majors and I
have four hearts.
3NT
We have enough
points for game
and my hand is
balanced without
four spades.
19
1♥
1♠
♠KJ7
♥AK53
♦ K 10 4
♣QJ3
17
1♥
1♠
2NT
I want partner to
bid game with
eight or more
points.
♠AKQ
♥K53
♦ K J 10 4
♣AK3
23
2♣
2♦
2NT
Showing 23–24
points and a fairly
balanced hand.
TR53
Quiz to revise bidding stronger hands
Bid these hands with a partner or if you are on your own, write down how you think the
bidding should go. North and South pass whenever it is their turn to bid.
West
1 You are dealer
♠AK973
♥KQ2
♦7
♣KQJ3
East
1 Partner is dealer
♠J62
♥ A J 10
♦KQ652
♣65
Your auction
West
East
2 Partner is dealer
♠J62
♥ A J 10
♦KQ652
♣65
2 You are dealer
♠AKQ7
♥KQ2
♦7
♣KQJ93
West
East
3 You are dealer
♠AK9732
♥KQ2
♦7
♣KQ7
3 Partner is dealer
♠J64
♥ A J 10
♦KQ652
♣65
West
East
4 Partner is dealer
♠J64
♥ A J 10
♦KQ652
♣65
4 You are dealer
♠AK97
♥KQ2
♦973
♣KQ7
West
East
5 You are dealer
♠AK97
♥KQ92
♦73
♣AK7
5 Partner is dealer
♠J642
♥ A 10 3
♦Q652
♣65
West
East
6 Partner is dealer
♠J62
♥ A J 10
♦KQ652
♣65
6 You are dealer
♠AK9
♥KQ2
♦973
♣KQJ2
West
East
TR53
Quiz to revise bidding stronger hands - answers
West
1 You are dealer
♠AK973
♥KQ2
♦7
♣KQJ3
East
1 Partner is dealer
♠J62
♥ A J 10
♦KQ652
♣65
Your auction
West
East
1♠
2♦
3♣
4♠
pass
Comments
West’s 3♣ bid, a new suit
at the three level, forces
E/W to game. East’s
4♠ shows real spade
support – only three cards,
as spades were not raised
originally.
2 Partner is dealer
♠J62
♥ A J 10
♦KQ652
♣65
2 You are dealer
♠AKQ7
♥KQ2
♦7
♣KQJ93
West
East
1♣
2♠
Pass
East’s 2♠ rebid is a very
strong bid, which is forcing
to game after a one-level
response. West shows a
good heart stopper by
jumping to 3NT.
3 You are dealer
♠AK9732
♥KQ2
♦7
♣KQ7
3 Partner is dealer
♠J64
♥ A J 10
♦KQ652
♣65
West
1♠
3♠
pass
East
2♦
4♠
West’s 3♠ jump rebid
shows six or more good
spades and about 16–18
points. It is forcing to game
after a two-level response
(but not after a one-level
response).
4 Partner is dealer
♠J64
♥ A J 10
♦KQ652
♣65
4 You are dealer
♠AK97
♥KQ2
♦973
♣KQ7
West
2♦
East
1♠
3NT
After a two-level response,
East jumps to 3NT to show
a balanced 17–19 points.
5 You are dealer
♠AK97
♥KQ92
♦73
♣AK7
5 Partner is dealer
♠J642
♥ A 10 3
♦Q652
♣65
West
1♥
4♠
East
1♠
pass
With 19 HCP West opens
1♥, not 1♠. This gives the
best chance of finding a
major suit fit. When East
responds 1♠, West jumps
to 4♠ to show this powerful
hand.
6 Partner is dealer
♠J62
♥ A J 10
♦KQ652
♣65
6 You are dealer
♠AK9
♥KQ2
♦973
♣KQJ2
West
East
1♣
2NT
pass
East’s hand is very like
hand 4, but with four clubs,
so opens 1♣. Over a 1♦
response a jump to 2NT
shows a balanced 17–18
HCP. West has plenty for
3NT but not any more.
1♦
3NT
1♦
3NT
TR54
Must we go to game?
1 What do you understand by the term ‘game forcing’?
2 In the bidding sequences below, underline the bid that commits the partnership to
game.
West East Bid that commits us to game
a
2♣
2♥
2♠
3♥
4♥
b
2NT
4♥
3♥
c
2♠
3♠
2NT
4♠
d
2♠
3♠
5♣
3♣
4♣
e
2♣
2NT
2♦
3NT
f
2♣
2♠
3♠
2♦
3♣
4♠
g
1♥
2♥
2♣
4♥
h
1♠
3♦
2♥
4♥
i
1♠
2♠
4♥
2♥
3♦
TR54
Must we go to game? - answers
1 What do you understand by the term ‘game forcing’?
A bid that commits the partnership to game and following which, neither partner may
say pass until a game has been bid.
2 In the bidding sequences below, underline the bid that commits the partnership to
game.
West East Bid that commits us to game
a
2♣
2♥
2♣ very nearly commits us to game, but it is the positive
2♠
3♥
2♥ response that is 100% game forcing, so 2♥ commits us
to game.
4♥
b
2NT
4♥
3♥
There is no weak takeout to a 2NT opening bid. All responses
are forcing to game, so 3♥ commits us to game.
c
2♠
3♠
2NT
4♠
When East gives a negative and West just rebids 3♠, East
could pass. So actually bidding 4♠ committed us to game.
d
2♠
3♠
5♣
3♣
4♣
The only negative bid over a strong two opening bid is 2NT.
All other responses are game forcing, so 3♣ commits us to
game.
e
2♣
2NT
2♦
3NT
The only exception to a 2♣ opening being game forcing is
when West rebids 2NT (showing 23–24 HCP) after a 2♦
response. 2NT can be passed if East has 0–2 points and a
flat hand. So only actually bidding 3NT committed us to game.
f
2♣
2♠
3♠
2♦
3♣
4♠
2♣ is always game forcing with the one exception in the last
example. 2♠ committed us to game.
g
1♥
2♥
2♣
4♥
Only East’s 4♥ bid ensures the partnership get to game.
h
1♠
3♦
2♥
4♥
After the rebid of a new suit at the three level, the partnership
is committed to game. So 3♦ committed us to game.
i
1♠
2♠
4♥
2♥
3♦
A new suit at the three level is game forcing whether opener
or responder bids it. So again 3♦ committed us to game.
TR55
A
♠ K Q J 10 5 4 3
♥65
♦2
♣ Q J 10
open 4♠ NV
open 3♠ vul.
TR56
Examples of hands to pre-empt
B
♠4
♥AKJ98632
♦ J 10 9 3
♣–
open 4♥ vul.
and non vul.
C
♠84
♥53
♦ Q J 10 7 6 5 3
♣KQ
open 3♦ NV,
pass if vul.
D
♠5
♥6
♦J7
♣ A J 10 9 7 5 4 3 2
open 5♣ NV
open 4♣ vul.
E
♠7
♥ Q 10 7 5
♦AQJ9654
♣2
pass not 3♦
with 4 hearts.
Examples of responses to a pre-empt
Partner has opened 3♥ not vulnerable. Do you respond?
F
♠AK9863
♥8
♦KQ5
♣J72
G
♠AK9863
♥8
♦AK5
♣K72
H
♠A654
♥7
♦AK986
♣AQ4
I
♠32
♥K765
♦AQJ75
♣J8
F. Pass. You have no reason to think your spades are better than partner’s hearts and
game is a remote chance.
G. Bid 3♠. You have enough for game and can offer an alternative contract, since partner
could have two or three spades. Even with 0 or 1 spades there should be a good play for
4♥.
H. Bid 4♥. Not 3NT. Communication between the two hands will be hopeless in no
trumps; you might not make a single heart trick in partner’s hand. Just imagine a typical
3♥ opening with ♥K Q J x x x x and nothing outside.
I. Bid 4♥. You don’t expect 4♥ to make but the opponents are strong favourites to make
4♠. Make life harder for them.
TR57
Countering a pre-empt
With neither side vulnerable, your right hand opponent opens 3♦. What do you bid?
1.
♠A942
♥AQ43
♦9
♣AJ32
Double. Just like a
takeout double at
the one level.
Partner will show his
best suit.
2.
♠AQJ762
♥J 3
♦43
♣KQ9
3♠. With a good 6card suit of your
own you can bid
with only 13 points.
3.
♠A2
♥QJ3
♦AQ2
♣KQJ32
3NT. A diamond
lead on your left
gives 2 tricks plus
plenty of chances.
Double might mean
you miss the boat if
left hand raises to
4♦.
4.
♠K5
♥73
♦ A Q 10 6 4
♣KQ73
Double would show
the other suits.
Hope that partner
can double and then
you can leave it in
for penalties
This time it goes 3♥ on your left, double from partner, pass. What do you bid?
5.
♠9532
♥73
♦ Q 10 6 4
♣Q73
You must respond
to the takeout
double. Partner
should have four
spades, so bid 3♠
6.
♠6
♥432
♦J9764
♣9753
Yuk. This time you
have to bid 4♦ and
hope partner doesn’t
get carried away.
(Perhaps he should
have been by men
in white coats).
7.
♠KQ72
♥J3
♦A964
♣J95
4♠. With a better
hand game is a
possibility. So bid it.
Partner should have
four spades.
8.
♠82
♥K63
♦AQJ4
♣Q983
3NT. Bidding over a
pre-empt is a risky
business and this
could go horribly
wrong. But you don’t
want to bid 4♣ or 4♦
so take a chance.
Crippin took one
and look where he
ended up.