Deal 11
 
 
 
♠ 9 6 2
Q 5
Q 10 5
♣ A Q 9 7 4
 
 WEST  NORTH  EAST  SOUTH
1NT
pass3NTpasspass
pass

South is to play 3NT. West leads the J.
You try dummy's Q but East plays the K.

Make a Plan, then click NEXT .
   
  ♠ Q 8 4
A 7 2
A J 8
♣ K J 8 6
 

 
Deal 11
 
   3NT
OL: J
♠ 9 6 2
Q 5
Q 10 5
♣ A Q 9 7 4
  South is to play 3NT. West leads the J.
You try dummy's Q but East plays the K.


Winners:   ♠ = 0    = 1    = 1   ♣ = 5   Total = 7

Things do not look good. You have only one stopper, the ♠ suit is wide open, and you have to have the finesse to get the two extra winners you need.

First problem: Do you hold up the A or not?

Click NEXT .
   
  ♠ Q 8 4
A 7 2
A J 8
♣ K J 8 6
 

 
Deal 11
 
   3NT
OL: J
♠ 9 6 2
Q 5
Q 10 5
♣ A Q 9 7 4
  South is to play 3NT. West leads the J.
You try dummy's Q but East plays the K.

Winners:   ♠ = 0    = 1    = 1   ♣ = 5   Total = 7

Things do not look good. You have only one stopper, the ♠ suit is wide open, and you have to have the finesse to get the two extra winners you need.

First problem: Do you hold up the A or not?


No, don't hold up. If you do they might take 4 ♠ tricks immediately, then go back to s. Since your only hope of making this contract is the finesse you should grab the A, play 5 rounds of ♣s then finesse for the K.

Click NEXT to see if you made the contract. Or not.
   
  ♠ Q 8 4
A 7 2
A J 8
♣ K J 8 6
 

 
Deal 11
 
   3NT
OL: J
♠ 9 6 2
Q 5
Q 10 5
♣ A Q 9 7 4
  Remember: don't hold up when it gives the defenders a good opportunity to switch.

 Deal 12 
♠ A K J 5
J 10 9 8
9 6 4
♣ 10 3
♠ 10 7 3
K 6 4 3
K 7 3 2
♣ 5 2
  ♠ Q 8 4
A 7 2
A J 8
♣ K J 8 6