North Dummy A J 10
	South Declarer 8 7 6 5 4 3

You need five tricks in this suit. You have plenty of entries. There are no clues in the bidding.

You lead a card toward dummy and West plays the 2. What is your plan?

(a) Play the 10; if it loses, next time play low to the ace.

(b) Play the 10; if it loses, next time play low to the jack.

(c) Play the ace the first time.

(d) Play the 10; if it loses to the queen, next time play low to the ace, but if it loses to the king, next time play low to the jack.

(e) Play the 10; if it loses to the king, next time play low to the ace, but if it loses to the queen, next time play low to the jack.

SOLUTION

Rubber bridge East dealer None vul
	North Q 7 6 4 — K 5 3 K J 10 7 6 3
	South You A K 5 3 K Q 6 J 8 2 A Q 8

West — pass pass pass pass	North — 2 4 5 6	East 1 pass pass pass all pass	South double 2 4NT 5
Opening lead: 2

It's a typical rubber bridge auction, and North gets the final say in the matter. West leads a trump. How do you play it? (Trumps break, so you have a chance.)

(a) Win in hand and ruff a heart. Lead a club to hand and ruff another heart. Cash the Q, lead a club to hand and draw trump.

(b) Draw three rounds of trump, then play six rounds of clubs, discarding three diamonds.

(c) Win trick one with the Q and trick two with the K, then ruff a heart. Then draw trump and run clubs.

(d) Draw three rounds of trump, then play six rounds of clubs, discarding one heart and two diamonds.

(e) Win trick one in hand and lead the Q, letting it ride if West plays low.

SOLUTION

Rubber bridge South dealer Both vul
	North Dummy A K 7 6 5 A Q 7 6 5 Q 9 3 —
	South You 3 2 K 10 K J 10 8 7 6 K 5 3

South 2 3 4	West pass pass pass	North 2NT 4 6	East pass pass all pass
Opening lead: 2

Well bid! Dummy is magnificent but West has found a killing lead. East wins the ace and returns a trump to your jack, West following. With one club ruff available, you have only 11 top tricks and must develop a twelfth. You cash the king of hearts. West follows with the deuce and East with the 4. What is your next lead?

(a) a spade.

(b) the heart ten.

(c) the king of diamonds.

(d) a low diamond.

(e) the king of clubs.

(f) a low club.

SOLUTION

Rubber bridge South dealer Neither side vul
	North Dummy 8 2 9 6 Q 10 9 3 A K 7 6 4
	South You K Q 10 9 7 4 5 A K J Q 9 2

South 1 4	West 2 all pass	North double	East 4
Opening lead: K

West wins the trick and continues with a heart to East's ace, which you ruff. What is your plan?

(a) Lead the king or queen of spades.

(b) Lead the 10, 9, or 7 of spades.

(c) Go to dummy with a club lead and lead a spade to the king.

(d) Go to dummy with a club lead and lead the 8 of spades, letting it ride if East follows low.

(e) Go to dummy with a diamond lead and lead a spade to the king.

(f) Go to dummy with a diamond lead and lead the 8 of spades, letting it ride if East follows low.

SOLUTION