27 May 2015

Learn Your Suit Combination May 27th

You hold:

J54       (North)

AK932    (South)

Following on from last weeks card combination, you again hold the Ace,King & Jack but you are missing the Queen. If the Jack is in the same hand as either Ace or King then a finesse position would be available. In the above instance the Jack is opposite the Ace & King so no finesse is available. A finessible combination is called a tenace.

Best play for 5 tricks?

Answer:

1) Cash the Ace. If the Queen has dropped on the first round in the West hand then cash the Jack and finesse the 9 picking up East’s 10xxx.

2) Cash the Ace. If the Queen has not dropped then follow up by cashing the King. Your only chance is if  either player holds Queen doubleton!

Best play for 4 tricks?

Answer:

1) Follow step one above by cashing the ace.

2) If the Queen or 10 has not appeared you must guard against the possibility of a 4-1 break. On the 2nd round lead towards the Jack. If East shows out you can play the Jack and later finesse the 9 (playing for West to hold Q10xx. If East turns out to hold Q10xx you will guarantee only one loser by leading through them.