To help you improve your game, each week in this section we will post a teaser/quiz with a bridge problem on bidding or play for you to solve. Eventually as we evolve we hope to make these a daily puzzle.
However for now why not take a look at the 2 samples of the FOBC teaser/quiz below including the latest.
Teaser/quiz No.14
West Hand: ♠ J 10 9 4; ♥ A Q 6 5 4: ♦ Q J; ♣ A 4
East Hand: ♠ Q 8 3 2; ♥ 9 7; ♦ A K 5 4 3; ♣ J 8
Question: With West as dealer and the opposition silent throughout the bidding,
how do you think the auction should proceed and what do you think the final contract should be?
Members will be able to view the answers in the archive area next week
Answer to Teaser No. 13
Novice Hand Problem
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NORTH
ª 9 7 5 3
©A K 6
¨ 8 6 5
§A 8 7
SOUTH
ª A Q J 10 2
©9 7 4
¨ A Q 2
§K 3
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South West North East
1ª Pass 3ª Pass
4ª All Pass
West leads ©Q
- How many losers do you have?
- If you have too many losers can you eliminate any?
- Are there any dangers and if there are can we do anything about it?
- What is your plan to make 10 tricks?
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NORTH
ª 9 7 5 3
© A K 6
¨ 8 6 5
§ A 8 7
ª K 4 ª86
© Q J 10 5 ©8 3 2
¨J 7 4 ¨K10 9 3§J 6 5 4 §Q 10 9 2
SOUTH
ª A Q J 10 2
© 9 7 4
¨ A Q 2
§ K 3
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Answer:
- Declarer has 4 losers ª = 1; ©= 1; ¨= 2;
- Yes, if we find ªK or ¨K with East then a successful finesse of either suit will eliminate one of these losers
- There are no real dangers but it is good technique to try the trump finesse first as in doing so we can ‘pull’ the opponents’ trumps. Obviously if the ª finesse fails then we have the ¨ finesse to fall back on. To have a game that relies on 1 of 2 possible finesses gives us odds of 75% of being successful
- Win the opening lead; then immediately play ª9 and let it run if East plays small (playing the ª9 is good technique as if the finesse is successful we are in the right hand to repeat the finesse); if the finesse loses as in the layout then we win the return; pull any remaining trumps and then; cross to dummy to play the ¨ finesse. If both finesses are wrong you are very unlucky. Today is our lucky day as the trump finesse loses but the diamond finesse wins. So all we can lose is 1ª 1© and 1¨ trick
- For the “more advanced” players amongst us. Yes we can give ourselves a better odds chance of making our contract via an elimination play. If after taking the losing trump finesse when we regain the lead assuming via another top heart; we can now pull opponents’ remaining trumps; then cash 2 top clubs; then ruff the 3rd club; now when we exit with a heart West will be on lead for the lead of a diamond into AQ or alternatively he gives us a ruff and a discard. If East gets on lead and switches to a diamond then we take the diamond finesse as intended.
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Intermediate Hand Problem
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NORTH
ª K 9 7
© Q 10 9
¨ 8 6
§ A J 10 8 7
SOUTH
ª A Q J 10
© A J 7 4
¨ K J 2
§ Q 3
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South West North East
1© Pass 2§ Pass
3NT All Pass
West leads 5¨and East plays ¨Q
- How many winners do you have?
- Are there any dangers?
- Which suit(s) should we play on to set up any extra winners?
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NORTH
ª K 9 7
© Q 10 9
¨ 8 6
§ A J 10 8 7
WEST EAST
ª 8 3 ª 6 5 4 2
© K 8 3 ©6 5 2
¨ A 10 7 5 3 ¨ Q 9 4 § 6 5 4 § K 9 2
SOUTH
ª A Q J 10
© A J 7 4
¨ K J 2
§ Q 3
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Answer:
- 7 winners;
4 in ªs; 1 in©s; 1 in¨s and 1 in §s. Therefore
we need to create 2 extra winners
- Danger is if we win trick 1 and next take a losing finesse in clubs, then East may continue diamonds through our Jack to defeat the contract.
- Recognising that East is the danger handthen we must NOT take the club finesse but cross to dummy to play ©Q and take the Heart finesse to West the safe hand (who cannot return diamonds without setting up our ¨J)
Always bear in mind in these and other situations who is the ‘safe hand’ and who is the danger hand and play accordingly
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