Deal 91
 
 
 
♠  
 
 
♣  
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
2NT
pass3♣pass BID 
 
 

The bidding has gone as shown.
Decide what you would say, then click on BID above.
  ♠ A 10 8 5
K Q 7 4
A Q J
♣ K J
 

 
Deal 91
 
 
 
♠  
 
 
♣  
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
2NT
pass3♣pass3
pass3NTpass BID 
 

When you have 4 cards in both Majors you respond 2 to a Stayman request.
Partner now bids 3NT. What do you bid?
  ♠ A 10 8 5
K Q 7 4
A Q J
♣ K J
 

 
Deal 91
 
 
 
♠ K 9 7 2
6
7 4 3
♣ Q 10 7 4 3
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
2NT
pass3♣pass3
pass3NTpass4♠
passpasspass

When you have 4 cards in both Majors you respond 2 to a Stayman request.
Partner now bids 3NT. What do you bid?

Partner denies having 4 s so he must have 4 ♠s (or he would not have used Stayman). You correct the contract to 4♠.

Click NEXT to continue.
  ♠ A 10 8 5
K Q 7 4
A Q J
♣ K J
 

 
Deal 91
 
4♠
OL: 2
♠ K 9 7 2
6
7 4 3
♣ Q 10 7 4 3
  South plays 4♠. West leads the 2.
East grabs the opening lead with the A and plays the 10.

Make a Plan, then click NEXT .
  ♠ A 10 8 5
K Q 7 4
A Q J
♣ K J
 

 
Deal 91
 
4♠
OL: 2
♠ K 9 7 2
6
7 4 3
♣ Q 10 7 4 3
  Loser List: ♠ = 1 : = 1 : = 1 : ♣ = 1 :: Total = 4

The ♠, and ♣ losers are inevitable so you'd better not lose a .
Even though East has returned a it is still possible that he holds the K so the finesse has a chance of working. Let's say a 50% chance. Do you take it?

 NEXT 
  ♠ A 10 8 5
K Q 7 4
A Q J
♣ K J
 

 
Deal 91
 
4♠
OL: 2
♠ K 9 7 2
6
7 4 3
♣ Q 10 7 4 3
  Loser List: ♠ = 1 : = 1 : = 1 : ♣ = 1 :: Total = 4

The ♠, and ♣ losers are inevitable so you'd better not lose a .
Even though East has returned a it is still possible that he holds the K so the finesse has a chance of working. Let's say a 50% chance. Do you take it?


No, of course not. Not when you have a play that offers almost a 100% chance.
Win the A, play ♠K, ♠A, then  K Q, discarding dummy's 2 losers.

 NEXT 
  ♠ A 10 8 5
K Q 7 4
A Q J
♣ K J
 

 
Deal 91
 
4♠
OL: 2
♠ K 9 7 2
6
7 4 3
♣ Q 10 7 4 3
  Loser List: ♠ = 1 : = 1 : = 1 : ♣ = 1 :: Total = 4

The ♠, and ♣ losers are inevitable so you'd better not lose a .
Even though East has returned a it is still possible that he holds the K so the finesse has a chance of working. Let's say a 50% chance. Do you take it?

No, of course not. Not when you have a play that offers almost a 100% chance.
Win the A, play ♠K, ♠A, then  K Q, discarding dummy's 2 losers.


With one master trump still out you start on the ♣s, playing first the ♣K, then overtake the ♣J with dummy's ♣Q. The defense is welcome to take their ♣A whenever they want, and they are also welcome to their trump trick.
You are so gracious because you have your ten tricks!

Click NEXT to see the complete Deal.
  ♠ A 10 8 5
K Q 7 4
A Q J
♣ K J
 

 
Deal 91
 
4♠
OL: 2
♠ K 9 7 2
6
7 4 3
♣ Q 10 7 4 3
  Half the time the K will be with East, and the inferior plan of taking the finesse will work. On those Deals your superior plan shows no payoff.

But the other 50% of the time West will have the K. On those Deals you get your just reward.

Deal 92
♠ J 3
J 9 5 2
K 6 5
♣ A 8 5 2
♠ Q 6 4
A 10 8 3
10 9 8 2
♣ 9 6
  ♠ A 10 8 5
K Q 7 4
A Q J
♣ K J