Deal 77
 
 
 
♠ ?
?
?
♣ ?
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
 BID 
 
 
 

You are South and it is your bid.
Decide what you would say, then click on BID .
   
  ♠ A Q 9 6 5 3
K 6 2
K 8
♣ A 8
 

 
Deal 77
 
 
 
♠ ?
?
?
♣ ?
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
1♠
pass2♠pass BID 
 
 

You open 1♠ and partner responds 2♠.

What do you bid now?
   
  ♠ A Q 9 6 5 3
K 6 2
K 8
♣ A 8
 

 
Deal 77
 
 
 
♠ J 10 7
A Q J 4
7 6 5 2
♣ 9 7
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
1♠
pass2♠pass3
pass4♠passpass
pass

With 18 points you want to invite partner to bid game if he has 9 or 10 points. While you could do this with a 3♠ bid it is more informative to use a Help Suit Game try - bidding 3 of the suit you'd most like help in. You bid 3.

Partner has magnificent help in the suit so he bids 4♠.

South to play 4♠. West leads the ♣Q.

Make a Plan, then click NEXT .
   
  ♠ A Q 9 6 5 3
K 6 2
K 8
♣ A 8
 

 
Deal 77
 
 
 
♠ J 10 7
A Q J 4
7 6 5 2
♣ 9 7
  South to play 4♠. West leads the ♣Q. East plays ♣6.

Losers: ♠ 1 : 0 : 2 : ♣ 1 : Total = 4

You know you are going to get to dummy with a and then try the ♠ finesse. Your big worry should be that if the ♠ finesse loses East will be able to get the lead and play a through your K 8.

So ask yourself: "How is East going to get the lead?" The only trick he could win would be the ♣K which he almost surely has. But you can keep this from happening by simply holding up on the first ♣ trick. Win the next one with your ♣A, enter dummy with a and take the ♠ finesse. It loses, but to West who can't hurt you with a play.

Click NEXT to see the full deal.
   
  ♠ A Q 9 6 5 3
K 6 2
K 8
♣ A 8
 

 
Deal 77
 
 
 
♠ J 10 7
A Q J 4
7 6 5 2
♣ 9 7
  Recognize that East is the Danger Hand because he can lead a .

Then think about how to keep East from getting the lead - in this case holding up on the first trick.

 Deal 78 
♠ K 8 4
9 7
A 9 4
♣ Q J 10 5 3
♠ 2
10 8 5 3
Q J 10 3
♣ K 6 4 2
  ♠ A Q 9 6 5 3
K 6 2
K 8
♣ A 8