North A K Q 6 5 A 10 3 6 4 A 8 3
	South You 7 3 K Q J 5 A K 8 2 Q 5 2

West — pass pass pass	North 1 3 4 6	East pass pass pass all pass	South 2 4 5
Opening lead: Q

QUESTION

East follows with the 3 and you win the trick with the ace. What card do you play next?

a) 7 or 3
b) K, Q orJ
c) 5
d) K
e) 8 or 2
f) Q
g) 5 or 2

SOLUTION

North Vic Mitchell 10 9 4 2 A J 9 8 3 3 A J 7

The late Victor Mitchell was a master strategist at the bridge table. What bid did he make on this hand to win 12 imps in a Vanderbilt team match? The auction began:

QUESTION

Try your luck in guessing Vic's winning bid. Vic and his partner were using a natural Standard American system.

a) 2 Drury convention
b) 2 (natural, not forcing)
c) 2 (6-10)
d) 3 (forcing by a passed hand)
e) 3 (inviting game)
f) 4 (splinter)
g) 4 (splinter)

SOLUTION

North dealer E-W vul	North Dummy 8 4 2 9 4 3 7 6 5 2 8 6 3
	North You A K Q J 10 A 7 6 5 2 K Q A

West — pass pass pass all pass	North pass 2   3* 3	East pass pass pass pass	South 2 2 3 4
*second negative Opening lead: K

QUESTION

OK, it's not the dummy of your dreams. What is your best play at trick two?

a) spade honor
b) ace of hearts
c) low heart
d) diamond king
e) diamond queen

SOLUTION

South dealer None vul	North Dummy K 9 6 4 3 A J 6 5 8 8 5 3
West You 10 8 5 3 A 7 5 Q J 10 7 6 4

South 1	West 3	North 4	East all pass
Opening lead: Q

QUESTION

You are West. Partner wins the first trick with the ace of clubs and then cashes the king of clubs, South following with the 2 and 9. At trick three partner leads the jack of diamonds and South plays the 6. What will you do?

a) follow low in diamonds, leaving partner on play
b) overtake with the ace and lead a spade
c) overtake with the ace and lead a heart
d) overtake with the ace and lead a diamond
e) overtake with the ace and lead a club

SOLUTION