Well done to everybody who had a go at our "Spring Play Quiz"...............I either made it too difficult or you were all too busy to send in your answers which is a shame as the Omar Sharif DVD is well worth watching.................David and Cathy Smith had the most correct answers scoring eleven and a half out of a possible fifteen...............well done indeed as there were some tricky ones! 

I will leave the hands on the website incase you would like to see the answers but please ask Omar if you disagree not me!!

You cannot change the bidding or the lead as they are set. Your task is to identify the best line of play in the given contract with the set lead. You are also playing against the best defence so you cannot decide on a  play which allows you to win, whilst making the opponents play the card of your choice!!

You are sitting North you must make thirteen tricks with spades as trumps?.The lead is 7S from East. You have eleven top tricks (4S + 1H + 2D + 4C = 11TT)............. Question 1........Where are the other two tricks?

You are sitting North. The contract is "Four Hearts". East leads A/K&J Diamonds.

You can see (2S+5H+0D+3C=10TT). What is the safest way to be certain of making your ten tricks before your opponents make theirs?

Remember you cannot see the opponents cards when you are playing.

Question 2...............Which card do you play from dummy (South) at trick three and why?

Contract 4H by South. You need ten tricks. West leads the QD. .............You have only four top tricks (1S+1H+2D+0C=4TT). You can see another 5 certain tricks in Hearts which makes nine but you still need one more.

Question 3.........Name the three cards you play from South's hand on trick 1, 2 & 3 and your reasons why.

The contract is "Four Hearts" by South. The lead is 10S byWest. You need ten tricks. You can see ( 1S+2H+0D+5C=8TT) and at least three more in the trump suit (Hearts)............Plenty!............or is it what are the "Threats"......The Defence would like one Spade trick, one Heart trick and 2/3 Diamond tricks........Contract off!..............Think for a minute..... how it is best to play this hand to be sure of making your 10 tricks before the opponents take theirs? You must take the first trick with AS or your contract will fail.

Question 4..What do you play at trick 2 from the North & South hands and why?

The contract is "Four Spades " by North. The lead is 9S by East, You need to make ten tricks. You can see four losers (2S+1H+1C). .......Contract one off............. Can you reduce these losers to three so that you can make your contract? You need a "Cunning plan"............You must take the first trick with the AS so that you can put your plan into action. 

Question 5..Which card do you play from North at trick two and why?

Contract 3NT by South. Lead 3C by West. You need nine tricks. You can see (1S+1H+0D+1C=3TT) and of course 6 tricks in Diamonds once the opponents take their AD.

Question 6.............Which cards do you play on West's 3C lead at trick one (North and South) and why?

You are South playing in "Four Spades". The lead is 10H by West. You can see (6S+1H+0D+1C=8TT) so you need two more. You win trick one with the Ace of Hearts in hand.

Question 7.............What do you lead at trick two? How do you plan to make those two tricks needed to make the contract?

Contract "Four Hearts" by South. Lead JD by West. You have got four possible losers - one in each suit. Is there any way you can reduce your losers to three?

Question 8................Where do you win the first trick and why?............Which suit and card do you play next?

Contract 3NT by South, The 9D is lead by West taken by South with the KD and the QD fell. You can now see (2S+2H+4D+0C=8TT) so you only need one more - where is it?

Question 9.........Which card do you play at trick two and why - where is your certain ninth trick?

Contract "Four Spades" by South, West leads A/K/Q D, now you need all the remaining tricks. Opponents continue with 8H..........

Question 10....................Where do you win Trick 4. Which suit do you play next and how? (Trick 5.6,7)

The contract is " Four Hearts" by South. West leads 10D which is won by East with the AD. East cashes the KD and then switches to 8S. You can now only afford to lose one more trick but the trump suit is not strong and you could easily lose two tricks.

Question 11............. How should you play the hearts suit to give yourself the best chance of losing only one more trick (AH) and thus making your contract?

The contract is "Six Hearts" by South. West leads KC which you take with AC in your hand. You can now see two losers (The AS and QC)

Question 12..............Is there any way that you can reduce your losers to one and make twelve tricks?

The contract is 3NT by South, West leads the two of hearts which you duck (Rule of 7) but are forced to take the second trick with AH in hand

Question 13..........................Which card should you play next - and why?

Contract 3NT by South. West leads 7S giving you (2S+1H+3D+2C=8TT) .You only need one more trick to make your contract. The Diamonds look good for extra tricks but take care........

Question 14........Which card should you lead at trick 2, and why?

Contract "Six Clubs" by South. Lead JH by West. You can see (1S+1H+5C+4D=11TT). You need one more trick can you see it? Your first thought is to duck the JH in Dummy to preserve your AH entry to the Diamond suit once unblocked and also promote the QH in your hand for your 12th  trick. But take care if the JH is a singleton E/W will get a club ruff.

Question 15.............Which cards should you play at trick one from dummy and from your hand and why?