ANSWERS to Practice Deals 8-1 to 8-12
(Opening bidder shown in bold)

Deal Bidding Decl. Lead Made Vul. Score
8-1 (N) 1NT - 4S South DK by W 11 tricks no 5 x 30 + 300 = 450
8-2 (E) 1NT - 6H West DK by N 12 tricks no 6 x 30 + 300 = 980
8-3 (S) 1NT - 4H North DK by E 10 tricks no 4 x 30 + 300 = 420
8-4 (W) 1NT - 3S - 4S East CJ by S 11 tricks yes 5 x 30 + 500 = 650
8-5 (E) 1NT - 2H - Pass ! West DQ by N 9 tricks no 3 x 30 + 50 = 140
8-6 (N) 1NT - 2H - Pass ! South CK by W 9 tricks no 3 x 30 + 50 = 140
8-7 (N) 1NT - 2C * - 2H - 4H North CK by E 11 tricks yes 5 x 30 + 500 = 650
8-8 (E) 1NT - 2C * - 2H - 4H East DK by S 10 tricks no 4 x 30 + 300 = 420
8-9 (E) 1NT - 2S - Pass West HK by N 9 tricks yes 3 x 30 + 50 = 140
8-10 (E) 1NT - 3S - 3NT East H4 by S 10 tricks * yes 40 + 3 x 30 + 500 = 630
8-11 (N) 1NT - 2C * - 2H - 4H North S6 by E * 10 tricks no 4 x 30 + 300 = 420
8-12 (N) 1NT - 3H - 4H South H8 by W * 10 tricks yes 4 x 30 + 500 = 620
Comments
Deals 8-7, 8-8 and 8-11 : 2C is the
Stayman Convention, asking opener to bid his 4-card major suit.

Deals 8-10 : Play a direct finesse in the Club suit, leading the Jack from Dummy will capture one of North's honours. Then concede one trick to North in this suit and you will make 3 tricks in Clubs, plus 5 in the Diamonds and 2 in the Hearts.

Deals 8-11 : South can have it both ways. If North shows no 4-card major after the 2C, South can still bid 3S revealing his 5 Spades.
East has no good opening lead. Leading away from his lone Diamond K or his A Q in Clubs will probably give a trick away. A singleton trump lead is usually not very good either (partner may hold 4 and gain trump control in the later stages of play). He therefore leads a small Spade (the middle card : Middle - Up - Down).

Deals 8-12 : West has no good lead. Leading suits with a lone Ace or King is usually of great benefit to Declarer. A lead from 2 or 3 small trumps looks like a good defensive lead in this case.


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Copyright © 2004 Michael Furstner (Jazclass).