Deal 41	♠ ? ♥ ? ♦ ? ♣ ?		WEST   NORTH   EAST   SOUTH 1♦ pass  BID      You are South and it is your bid. Decide what you would say, then click on BID .
	♠ Q J 10 ♥ A 3 ♦ 10 9 5 4 ♣ A K 3 2

 

Deal 41	♠ A 8 2 ♥ K Q 5 ♦ Q J 7 3 ♣ Q 6 4		WEST   NORTH   EAST   SOUTH 1♦ pass 2NT pass 3NT pass pass pass You have three reasonable choices. You could bid 2♣, you could jump to 3♦, or you could jump to 2NT. While all are reasonable, the jump to 2NT stands out as the most constructive by far. Partner bids 3NT and you pass. South plays 3NT. West leads the ♥J. Make a Plan, then click NEXT .
	♠ Q J 10 ♥ A 3 ♦ 10 9 5 4 ♣ A K 3 2

 

Deal 41	♠ A 8 2 ♥ K Q 5 ♦ Q J 7 3 ♣ Q 6 4		South plays 3NT. West leads the ♥J. Winner count: ♠ 1 : ♥ 3 : ♦ 0 : ♣ 3 : Total = 7 If West has the ♠K then a finesse will gain you the two winners you need. However, if East has the ♠K then the finesse will gain you just one winner and you will be hoping for a 3-3 ♣ split for the other. While this is a possible Plan, there is a far better one. Rather than chance the ♠ finesse, you should immediately start establishing your ♦s. This has the advantage of not giving the defense any NEW winners - they were always going to get their two high ♦s. So win the ♥A and play the ♦10. Somebody will take this and probably continue with a ♥. Take the ♥Q and play the ♦Q. Somebody will take this and probably continue with a ♥. Take the ♥K and then the rest of your winners. Maybe the ♣s will split 3-3 and give you an overtrick. And if you have assured the contract you MIGHT even try the ♠ finesse. Click NEXT for the full deal.
	♠ Q J 10 ♥ A 3 ♦ 10 9 5 4 ♣ A K 3 2

 

Deal 41	♠ A 8 2 ♥ K Q 5 ♦ Q J 7 3 ♣ Q 6 4		If you had taken an early ♠ finesse you would have gone down. East would have won and played a ♥, removing your second stopper. When ♣s did not split 3-3 you would have been forced to try a ♦. East would win his ♦K and drive out the last ♥ stopper. Then West would be able to take the ♦A plus his established ♥s.  Deal 42
♠ 9 6 5 3 ♥ J 10 9 6 4 ♦ A 6 ♣ 9 8		♠ K 7 4 ♥ 8 7 2 ♦ K 8 2 ♣ J 10 7 5
	♠ Q J 10 ♥ A 3 ♦ 10 9 5 4 ♣ A K 3 2