The following hands are given in illustration of the general principles discussed in Part I. The plan adopted in the arrangement of the hands is to imitate closely the circumstances of actual play. Thus, at starting, one player's hand is known, together with the score and the turn-up card. Each player is then caused to play a card in his turn, and at the end of the trick, the one player whose hand is known makes observations, and draws inferences from the play, as though he were at the whist table.
A, Y, B, and Z, are the four players throughout. They are placed at the table in the above order, A and B being partners against Y and Z. A is the first leader, and Z the dealer. In "the play" the cards of each trick are placed in the order in which the players sit round the table, the card played by the person whose hand is under consideration being the one nearest to the reader. The capital letter by each card shows to which player it belongs.
All the players are supposed to follow the ordinary rules of play, as laid down in Part I. Thus, each player is credited with leading originally from hisstrongest suit, and with leading the card of it indicated in the Analysis of Leads (pp.64-71); with playing the lowest of a sequence when not leading; with returning the highest of a numerically weak suit, the lowest of a strong suit, and so on.
It has been remarked by critics, that the players are often made to play badly. Most of the hands are taken from actual play; but, independently of this, illustrations of indifferent play, with comments, are obviously of value, as showing the kind of errors that are likely to be made, and how and why to avoid them.
Trump lead from four trumps on establishment of suit.
A's Hand.Qn♠, 10♠, 5♠, 3♠A♥A♣, 7♣, 6♣, 3♣Kg♦, Knv♦, 9♦, 2♦Score: Love-all.Two of spades turned up.
A's Hand.
A's Hand.
Qn♠, 10♠, 5♠, 3♠A♥A♣, 7♣, 6♣, 3♣Kg♦, Knv♦, 9♦, 2♦Score: Love-all.Two of spades turned up.
Score: Love-all.
Two of spades turned up.
Trick 1.TricksAB, 0YZ, 11. Y B Z A↷4♦Qn♦A♦2♦
Trick 1.
Trick 1.
TricksAB, 0YZ, 11. Y B Z A↷4♦Qn♦A♦2♦
TricksAB, 0YZ, 11. Y B Z A↷4♦Qn♦A♦2♦
Remark.—A leads from his strongest suit (seep.56). Having no sequence, he leads the lowest card of the suit (seep.60).
The fall of the queen and ace in this round, leaves A with the winning diamonds and a small one. His suit is virtually established (seep.57).
Trick 2.TricksAB, 0YZ, 22. Y B Z↷ AQn♣ 4♣ 5♣ 3♣
Trick 2.
Trick 2.
TricksAB, 0YZ, 22. Y B Z↷ AQn♣ 4♣ 5♣ 3♣
TricksAB, 0YZ, 22. Y B Z↷ AQn♣ 4♣ 5♣ 3♣
Remark.—A plays his lowest card second hand (seep.82).
B allowing the queen to win, may be presumed not to have the king.
Trick 3.TricksAB, 1YZ, 23. Y↷ B Z A7♥Qn♥3♥A♥
Trick 3.
Trick 3.
TricksAB, 1YZ, 23. Y↷ B Z A7♥Qn♥3♥A♥
TricksAB, 1YZ, 23. Y↷ B Z A7♥Qn♥3♥A♥
Remark.—It is unlucky that A is obliged to win his partner's queen. The king of hearts is most probably in B's hand, as it is not likely that B has only one heart, and with queen and small ones B would pass.
Trick 4.TricksAB, 2YZ, 24. Y B Z A↷4♠ Kg♠ 2♠ 3♠
Trick 4.
Trick 4.
TricksAB, 2YZ, 24. Y B Z A↷4♠ Kg♠ 2♠ 3♠
TricksAB, 2YZ, 24. Y B Z A↷4♠ Kg♠ 2♠ 3♠
Remark.—This is an instructive trump lead. A, at the first start, with but four trumps, and only one heart, would not have been justified in leading a trump. But, his strong suit being established, and his partner having (probably) the best heart, his game is now to lead trumps. Consider carefully the Management of Trumps (pp.119-23), and apply the arguments there made use of to the present situation.
Trick 5.TricksAB, 2YZ, 35. Y B↷ Z AA♠ 7♠ 8♠ 10♠
Trick 5.
Trick 5.
TricksAB, 2YZ, 35. Y B↷ Z AA♠ 7♠ 8♠ 10♠
TricksAB, 2YZ, 35. Y B↷ Z AA♠ 7♠ 8♠ 10♠
Remark(Trick 5).—A finesses the ten (seepp.93-94).
Trick 6.TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Y↷ B Z A8♥Kg♥10♥6♣
Trick 6.
Trick 6.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Y↷ B Z A8♥Kg♥10♥6♣
TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Y↷ B Z A8♥Kg♥10♥6♣
Trick 7.TricksAB, 4YZ, 37. Y B↷ Z A6♦5♦3♦Knv♦
Trick 7.
Trick 7.
TricksAB, 4YZ, 37. Y B↷ Z A6♦5♦3♦Knv♦
TricksAB, 4YZ, 37. Y B↷ Z A6♦5♦3♦Knv♦
Trick 8.TricksAB, 5YZ, 38. Y B Z A↷6♠7♦9♠ Qn♠
Trick 8.
Trick 8.
TricksAB, 5YZ, 38. Y B Z A↷6♠7♦9♠ Qn♠
TricksAB, 5YZ, 38. Y B Z A↷6♠7♦9♠ Qn♠
Trick 9.TricksAB, 5YZ, 49. Y B Z A↷10♦8♦Knv♠Kg♦
Trick 9.
Trick 9.
TricksAB, 5YZ, 49. Y B Z A↷10♦8♦Knv♠Kg♦
TricksAB, 5YZ, 49. Y B Z A↷10♦8♦Knv♠Kg♦
Remarks.—At Trick 9, A forces the best trump, and remains with the thirteenth to bring in the diamond. If Z refuses the force, A (Trick 10) leads nine of diamonds and (Trick 11) the losing trump.
Trick 10.TricksAB, 6YZ, 410. Y B Z↷ A2♥9♣ 2♣ 7♣
Trick 10.
Trick 10.
TricksAB, 6YZ, 410. Y B Z↷ A2♥9♣ 2♣ 7♣
TricksAB, 6YZ, 410. Y B Z↷ A2♥9♣ 2♣ 7♣
At Trick 10, if A plays ace of clubs he will be left with a losing club. By passing, he gives B a chance of winning the trick, and cannot lose even if Y has king of clubs. It has been suggested that Z's best lead, at Trick 10, is king of clubs, on the chance of catching ace and knave; but Z's play is not under examination.
Tricks 11 to 13.—Whatever B leads, A makes the remaining tricks, and
AB win three by cards.
(A's hand is given above.)
Y's Hand.B's Hand.Z's Hand.Ace, 6, 4♠Kg, 7♠Knv, 9, 8, 2♠Knv, 9, 8, 7, 4, 2♥Kg, Qn, 6, 5♥10, 3♥Qn♣Knv, 9, 4♣Kg, 10, 8, 5, 2♣10, 6, 4♦Qn, 8, 7, 5♦Ace, 3♦
Trump lead from four moderate trumps.
B's Hand.Knv♠, 10♠, 7♠, 5♠Kg♥, 6♥A♣, 8♣, 6♣A♦, 10♦, 9♦, 2♦Score: Love-all.Two of spades turned up.
B's Hand.
B's Hand.
Knv♠, 10♠, 7♠, 5♠Kg♥, 6♥A♣, 8♣, 6♣A♦, 10♦, 9♦, 2♦Score: Love-all.Two of spades turned up.
Score: Love-all.
Two of spades turned up.
Trick 1.TricksAB, 1YZ, 01. Z A↷ Y B4♦Kg♦7♦2♦
Trick 1.
Trick 1.
TricksAB, 1YZ, 01. Z A↷ Y B4♦Kg♦7♦2♦
TricksAB, 1YZ, 01. Z A↷ Y B4♦Kg♦7♦2♦
Trick 2.TricksAB, 2YZ, 02. Z A↷ Y BKnv♦5♦8♦A♦
Trick 2.
Trick 2.
TricksAB, 2YZ, 02. Z A↷ Y BKnv♦5♦8♦A♦
TricksAB, 2YZ, 02. Z A↷ Y BKnv♦5♦8♦A♦
Trick 3.TricksAB, 2YZ, 13. Z A Y B↷2♠ Kg♠ A♠ 5♠
Trick 3.
Trick 3.
TricksAB, 2YZ, 13. Z A Y B↷2♠ Kg♠ A♠ 5♠
TricksAB, 2YZ, 13. Z A Y B↷2♠ Kg♠ A♠ 5♠
Remark(Trick 3).—B has four trumps, and defence in hearts and clubs, his partner's suit is established, and no adverse strength in trumps has been exhibited. B therefore leads trumps. (Consider carefully the arguments at pp.122,123, respecting leads from four trumps, and apply them to this case.) To judge when to lead from four moderate trumps is an important point in the game, which hands such as this are given to illustrate and explain.
Trick 4.TricksAB, 3YZ, 14. Z A Y↷ B9♣ 5♣ Kg♣ A♣
Trick 4.
Trick 4.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 14. Z A Y↷ B9♣ 5♣ Kg♣ A♣
TricksAB, 3YZ, 14. Z A Y↷ B9♣ 5♣ Kg♣ A♣
Trick 5.TricksAB, 3YZ, 25. Z A Y B↷6♠ 8♠ Qn♠ 10♠
Trick 5.
Trick 5.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 25. Z A Y B↷6♠ 8♠ Qn♠ 10♠
TricksAB, 3YZ, 25. Z A Y B↷6♠ 8♠ Qn♠ 10♠
Trick 6.TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Z A Y↷ B10♣ 7♣ Qn♣ 6♣
Trick 6.
Trick 6.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Z A Y↷ B10♣ 7♣ Qn♣ 6♣
TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Z A Y↷ B10♣ 7♣ Qn♣ 6♣
Trick 7.TricksAB, 3YZ, 47. Z A Y↷ B9♠ Knv♣ 2♣ 8♣
Trick 7.
Trick 7.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 47. Z A Y↷ B9♠ Knv♣ 2♣ 8♣
TricksAB, 3YZ, 47. Z A Y↷ B9♠ Knv♣ 2♣ 8♣
Trick 8.TricksAB, 3YZ, 58. Z↷ A Y BA♥2♥7♥6♥
Trick 8.
Trick 8.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 58. Z↷ A Y BA♥2♥7♥6♥
TricksAB, 3YZ, 58. Z↷ A Y BA♥2♥7♥6♥
Tricks9 to 13.—Z leads knave of hearts which B wins. B draws the two trumps (if he remembers down to the seven) and brings in the diamonds, and
AB win two by cards.
(B's hand is given above.)
A's Hand.Y's Hand.Z's Hand.Kg, 8♠Ace, Qn, 4, 3♠9, 6, 2♠5, 3, 2♥10, 7♥Ace, Qn, Knv, 9, 8, 4♥Knv, 7, 5♣Kg, Qn, 4, 3, 2♣10, 9♣Kg, Qn, 6, 5, 3♦8, 7♦Knv, 4♦
At Trick 2, A leads his original fourth-best diamond (seeAppendix A). In this hand it is immaterial whether A makes the American lead or not.
A simple elementary hand, save in one point which demands strict attention to the rule respecting returned leads (seepp.79-81).
A's Hand.A♠, Qn♠, Knv♠, 10♠, 2♠Qn♥, 6♥A♣, 9♣, 8♣, 3♣9♦, 3♦Score: AB, 2; YZ, Love.Knave of clubs turned up.
A's Hand.
A's Hand.
A♠, Qn♠, Knv♠, 10♠, 2♠Qn♥, 6♥A♣, 9♣, 8♣, 3♣9♦, 3♦Score: AB, 2; YZ, Love.Knave of clubs turned up.
Score: AB, 2; YZ, Love.
Knave of clubs turned up.
Trick 1.TricksAB, 1YZ, 01. Y B Z A↷5♠ 4♠ 3♠ A♠
Trick 1.
Trick 1.
TricksAB, 1YZ, 01. Y B Z A↷5♠ 4♠ 3♠ A♠
TricksAB, 1YZ, 01. Y B Z A↷5♠ 4♠ 3♠ A♠
Remark.—A leads from his strongest suit (seep.66). Holding ace, queen, knave, ten, he leads out ace and ten (seeAnalysis of Leads, p.66).
Trick 2.TricksAB, 1YZ, 12. Y B Z A↷6♠ 8♠ Kg♠ 10♠
Trick 2.
Trick 2.
TricksAB, 1YZ, 12. Y B Z A↷6♠ 8♠ Kg♠ 10♠
TricksAB, 1YZ, 12. Y B Z A↷6♠ 8♠ Kg♠ 10♠
Remark.—A continues his suit (seep.74).
As the cards happen to lie A would have been able to make a successful finesse against the king of spades. But A, not having seen Z's hand, can only play on general principles.
Trick 3.TricksAB, 1YZ, 23. Y B Z↷ AKg♦2♦6♦3♦
Trick 3.
Trick 3.
TricksAB, 1YZ, 23. Y B Z↷ AKg♦2♦6♦3♦
TricksAB, 1YZ, 23. Y B Z↷ AKg♦2♦6♦3♦
Trick 4.TricksAB, 1YZ, 34. Y↷ B Z AA♦5♦4♦9♦
Trick 4.
Trick 4.
TricksAB, 1YZ, 34. Y↷ B Z AA♦5♦4♦9♦
TricksAB, 1YZ, 34. Y↷ B Z AA♦5♦4♦9♦
Trick 5.TricksAB, 2YZ, 35. Y↷ B Z A4♥3♥Knv♥Qn♥
Trick 5.
Trick 5.
TricksAB, 2YZ, 35. Y↷ B Z A4♥3♥Knv♥Qn♥
TricksAB, 2YZ, 35. Y↷ B Z A4♥3♥Knv♥Qn♥
Trick 6.TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Y B Z A↷6♣ Qn♣ 4♣ 3♣
Trick 6.
Trick 6.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Y B Z A↷6♣ Qn♣ 4♣ 3♣
TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Y B Z A↷6♣ Qn♣ 4♣ 3♣
Remark(Trick 6).—A has now the command of his suit, and four trumps. The adversaries have not shown any particular strength in trumps, either by leading them or by calling for them, though they have had the opportunity of doing both, and A therefore assumes that the trumps are pretty evenly divided, and leads a trump (seepp.122,123). A is not deterred from opening the trump suit because an honour was turned up (seep.122).
B's winning the trick with the queen shows that Z has not got the king.
Trick 7.TricksAB, 4YZ, 37. Y B↷ Z A10♣ 7♣ 5♣ A♣
Trick 7.
Trick 7.
TricksAB, 4YZ, 37. Y B↷ Z A10♣ 7♣ 5♣ A♣
TricksAB, 4YZ, 37. Y B↷ Z A10♣ 7♣ 5♣ A♣
Remark(Trick 7).—B returns his partner's lead of trumps (seep.125).
This is the important trick of the hand. Note the card returned by B, the seven, and if in doubt as to the fall of the trumps, look at the previous trick (seeLaw 91, p.18). In that trick, the small clubs that fall are the three, six, and four, and in the present one, the seven, five, and ten. Nobody having played the two, A may place it by inference in B's hand, for the adversaries not winning the trick may be supposed to play their lowest cards. Assuming B to hold the two, it may be inferred that he has that card and no other left in the suit. For he returns the seven, a higher card than the two; and the rule is to return the higher of two remaining cards, the lowest if holding more than two (seep.80. Consider carefully the example given there, and apply it to the present situation).
The king and knave are therefore in the opponents' hands, and divided. Z has the knave (which he turned up), and he has not the king, as he could not win the queen in the previous trick. Y must consequently hold it.
It may be objected that this train of reasoning is too close and elaborate to serve the purpose of inexperienced players. It is, perhaps, a little difficult for an elementary hand; but the careful observance of the rule of play respecting returned leads is so important, that it has been deemed advisable to insist strongly upon it. Of course, when playing with those who do not attend to the conversation of the game, all pains bestowed on working out the position of the cards from such data as the preceding is so much trouble thrown away.
Trick 8.TricksAB, 4YZ, 48. Y B Z A↷Kg♣ 2♣ Knv♣ 8♣
Trick 8.
Trick 8.
TricksAB, 4YZ, 48. Y B Z A↷Kg♣ 2♣ Knv♣ 8♣
TricksAB, 4YZ, 48. Y B Z A↷Kg♣ 2♣ Knv♣ 8♣
Assuming, then, that A's partner can be depended on to play according to rule, it is morally certain that the trumps are evenly divided, and that a third round will leave A with a long trump to bring in his spades. Accordingly, A leads the eight of clubs (seeTrick 8, above).
Trick 9.TricksAB, 5YZ, 49. Y↷ B Z AKg♥A♥9♥6♥
Trick 9.
Trick 9.
TricksAB, 5YZ, 49. Y↷ B Z AKg♥A♥9♥6♥
TricksAB, 5YZ, 49. Y↷ B Z AKg♥A♥9♥6♥
Tricks10 to 13.—B (Trick 10) leads a small diamond, though, as the cards happen to lie, his lead is immaterial. A trumps the diamond, and brings in the spades; and
AB win three by cards.
(A's hand is given above.)
Y's Hand.B's Hand.Z's Hand.9, 6, 5♠8, 4♠Kg, 7, 3♠Kg, 10, 8, 4, 2♥Ace, 7, 5, 3♥Knv, 9♥Kg, 10, 6♣Qn, 7, 2♣Knv, 5, 4♣Ace, Kg♦Knv, 8, 5, 2♦Qn, 10, 7, 6, 4♦
An instructive hand, illustrative of playing to the score.
A's Hand.Kg♠, 9♠, 5♠, 4♠A♥, Knv♥, 4♥Kg♣, 6♣, 2♣Qn♦, Knv♦, 4♦Score: Love-all.Queen of clubs turned up.
A's Hand.
A's Hand.
Kg♠, 9♠, 5♠, 4♠A♥, Knv♥, 4♥Kg♣, 6♣, 2♣Qn♦, Knv♦, 4♦Score: Love-all.Queen of clubs turned up.
Score: Love-all.
Queen of clubs turned up.
Trick 1.TricksAB, 0YZ, 11. Y B Z A↷Knv♠ 7♠ 3♠ 4♠
Trick 1.
Trick 1.
TricksAB, 0YZ, 11. Y B Z A↷Knv♠ 7♠ 3♠ 4♠
TricksAB, 0YZ, 11. Y B Z A↷Knv♠ 7♠ 3♠ 4♠
Remark.—A leads from his strongest suit (seep.56).
Trick 2.TricksAB, 1YZ, 12. Y↷ B Z A5♥2♥Kg♥A♥
Trick 2.
Trick 2.
TricksAB, 1YZ, 12. Y↷ B Z A5♥2♥Kg♥A♥
TricksAB, 1YZ, 12. Y↷ B Z A5♥2♥Kg♥A♥
Remark.—It may be inferred that hearts are Y's strongest suit.
Trick 3.TricksAB, 1YZ, 23. Y B Z A↷6♦2♦A♦Qn♦
Trick 3.
Trick 3.
TricksAB, 1YZ, 23. Y B Z A↷6♦2♦A♦Qn♦
TricksAB, 1YZ, 23. Y B Z A↷6♦2♦A♦Qn♦
Remark(Trick 3).—A having found his partner weak in spades (seeTrick 1), does not continue his suit (seep.75).
Trick 4.TricksAB, 1YZ, 34. Y B Z↷ AQn♥8♥6♥4♥
Trick 4.
Trick 4.
TricksAB, 1YZ, 34. Y B Z↷ AQn♥8♥6♥4♥
TricksAB, 1YZ, 34. Y B Z↷ AQn♥8♥6♥4♥
Trick 5.TricksAB, 2YZ, 35. Y↷ B Z A7♥10♥3♥Knv♥
Trick 5.
Trick 5.
TricksAB, 2YZ, 35. Y↷ B Z A7♥10♥3♥Knv♥
TricksAB, 2YZ, 35. Y↷ B Z A7♥10♥3♥Knv♥
Remark.—Presuming the players are to be depended on for following the elementary rules of the game, it is clear from the fall of the cards that Y holds the remaining heart, the nine. B drops the ten, so he ought not to have the nine, the rule being to play the lowest card when not able to win the trick. Z ought not to have another heart, for he returned the six (seeTrick 4), and now plays the three. Having returned the higher card he can hold no more (seep.80).
Trick 6.TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Y B Z A↷7♦3♦10♦Knv♦
Trick 6.
Trick 6.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Y B Z A↷7♦3♦10♦Knv♦
TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Y B Z A↷7♦3♦10♦Knv♦
Remark.—It is evident that Z, dropping the ten, will trump the next round of diamonds. Nevertheless, A's game is to continue the diamond (Trick 7), to give Z the lead, and to make B last player.
Trick 7.TricksAB, 3YZ, 47. Y B Z A↷9♦Kg♦4♣4♦
Trick 7.
Trick 7.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 47. Y B Z A↷9♦Kg♦4♣4♦
TricksAB, 3YZ, 47. Y B Z A↷9♦Kg♦4♣4♦
Remark(Trick 7).—Y, dropping the nine of diamonds, may be taken to have no more, as, not being able to win the trick, he is assumed to play his smallest. The remaining diamonds are therefore with B.
Trick 8.TricksAB, 4YZ, 48. Y B Z↷ A2♠ 5♣ A♠ 5♠
Trick 8.
Trick 8.
TricksAB, 4YZ, 48. Y B Z↷ A2♠ 5♣ A♠ 5♠
TricksAB, 4YZ, 48. Y B Z↷ A2♠ 5♣ A♠ 5♠
Trick 9.TricksAB, 4YZ, 59. Y B↷ Z A3♣ Knv♣ A♣ 2♣
Trick 9.
Trick 9.
TricksAB, 4YZ, 59. Y B↷ Z A3♣ Knv♣ A♣ 2♣
TricksAB, 4YZ, 59. Y B↷ Z A3♣ Knv♣ A♣ 2♣
Remark.—Z, with ace, queen, second hand (seehis hand below), follows the usual rule (seep.86). It is open to argument whether Z should depart from rule in this case. But Z's hand is not the one under examination.
Trick 10.TricksAB, 5YZ, 510. Y B Z↷ AQn♠5♦6♠ Kg♠
Trick 10.
Trick 10.
TricksAB, 5YZ, 510. Y B Z↷ AQn♠5♦6♠ Kg♠
TricksAB, 5YZ, 510. Y B Z↷ AQn♠5♦6♠ Kg♠
Remark.—The fall of the queen of spades from Y shows A that the two remaining spades are in Z's hand. Z's third card is the queen of clubs, which he turned up.
Trick 11.TricksAB, 6YZ, 511. Y B Z A↷8♣ 7♣ Qn♣ Kg♣
Trick 11.
Trick 11.
TricksAB, 6YZ, 511. Y B Z A↷8♣ 7♣ Qn♣ Kg♣
TricksAB, 6YZ, 511. Y B Z A↷8♣ 7♣ Qn♣ Kg♣
Trick 12.TricksAB, 7YZ, 512. Y B Z A↷9♥10♣ 8♠ 9♠
Trick 12.
Trick 12.
TricksAB, 7YZ, 512. Y B Z A↷9♥10♣ 8♠ 9♠
TricksAB, 7YZ, 512. Y B Z A↷9♥10♣ 8♠ 9♠
Remark(Trick 12).—A's lead here is instructive. He knows his partner (B) has one diamond and no spade and no heart (seeTricks 5, 7, and 10). B's other card must therefore be a club (trump). If it is the best trump, A wins two by cards by leading a trump. But if it is not the winning trump, a trump lead loses the odd trick. It is better to make certain of the odd trick than to risk losing it for the chance of winning two by cards; for the odd trick makes a difference of two to the score. A therefore properly ensures the odd trick by forcing his partner (seep.134).
Suppose the score to be AB three, and YZ one. Then A would be justified in leading the trump at Trick 12. For, if B has the ten, AB win two by cards and the game; and, if B has not the ten, AB lose the odd trick; the score remaining AB three, YZ two. It is better to run the risk of this score for the sake of the game, than to make certain of scoring only four and of leaving the adversaries at one.
AB win the odd trick.
(A's hand is given above.)
Y's Hand.B's Hand.Z's Hand.Qn, Knv, 2♠7♠Ace, 10, 8, 6, 3♠Qn, 9, 7, 5♥10, 8, 2♥Kg, 6, 3♥9, 8, 3♣Knv, 10, 7, 5♣Ace, Qn, 4♣9, 7, 6♦Kg, 8, 5, 3, 2♦Ace, 10♦
In the following hands the comments will be fewer, it being assumed that explanations of ordinary play are unnecessary.
Illustrative of the advantage of returning the highest of a short suit.
A's Hand.A♠, 9♠, 6♠, 2♠4♥, 2♥Kg♣, 10♣, 7♣, 4♣8♦, 6♦, 4♦Score: Love-all.Three of spades turned up.
A's Hand.
A's Hand.
A♠, 9♠, 6♠, 2♠4♥, 2♥Kg♣, 10♣, 7♣, 4♣8♦, 6♦, 4♦Score: Love-all.Three of spades turned up.
Score: Love-all.
Three of spades turned up.
Trick 1.TricksAB, 1YZ, 01. Y B Z A↷6♣ A♣ 2♣ 4♣
Trick 1.
Trick 1.
TricksAB, 1YZ, 01. Y B Z A↷6♣ A♣ 2♣ 4♣
TricksAB, 1YZ, 01. Y B Z A↷6♣ A♣ 2♣ 4♣
Trick 2.TricksAB, 2YZ, 02. Y B↷ Z A8♣, Knv♣, 5♣, 7♣
Trick 2.
Trick 2.
TricksAB, 2YZ, 02. Y B↷ Z A8♣, Knv♣, 5♣, 7♣
TricksAB, 2YZ, 02. Y B↷ Z A8♣, Knv♣, 5♣, 7♣
Remark(Trick 2).—A's finesse here is justifiable, because he has strength in trumps (seep.94). With only three trumps, A's better play would be to secure the trick at once.
Trick 3.TricksAB, 3YZ, 03. Y B↷ Z A9♣ 3♣ Qn♣ Kg♣
Trick 3.
Trick 3.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 03. Y B↷ Z A9♣ 3♣ Qn♣ Kg♣
TricksAB, 3YZ, 03. Y B↷ Z A9♣ 3♣ Qn♣ Kg♣
Remark.—Note the advantage of the return of the strengthening card at Trick 2, in accordance with General Principle 5 (p.79). The command is left with the presumably strong hand; and the queen is completely hemmed in. It is true the queen might have been in Y's hand. In that case the queen must make whatever card is returned. A similar position occurs at Trick 9.
Trick 4.TricksAB, 3YZ, 14. Y B Z A↷4♠ Qn♠ Kg♠ 2♠
Trick 4.
Trick 4.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 14. Y B Z A↷4♠ Qn♠ Kg♠ 2♠
TricksAB, 3YZ, 14. Y B Z A↷4♠ Qn♠ Kg♠ 2♠
Remark.—A did not lead the trump at first; but now he does so for these reasons: he has the long card of his suit; trumps are his strongest suit (p.119); and the adversaries have had the opportunity of calling for trumps (seepp.125,126), and have not made use of it, which is negative evidence that there is no very great strength of trumps in one hand.
Trick 5.TricksAB, 3YZ, 25. Y B Z↷ A3♥5♥Kg♥2♥
Trick 5.
Trick 5.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 25. Y B Z↷ A3♥5♥Kg♥2♥
TricksAB, 3YZ, 25. Y B Z↷ A3♥5♥Kg♥2♥
Trick 6.TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Y B Z↷ A7♥8♥A♥4♥
Trick 6.
Trick 6.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Y B Z↷ A7♥8♥A♥4♥
TricksAB, 3YZ, 36. Y B Z↷ A7♥8♥A♥4♥
Trick 7.TricksAB, 3YZ, 47. Y B Z↷ AQn♥Knv♥6♥4♦
Trick 7.
Trick 7.
TricksAB, 3YZ, 47. Y B Z↷ AQn♥Knv♥6♥4♦
TricksAB, 3YZ, 47. Y B Z↷ AQn♥Knv♥6♥4♦
Remark(Trick 7).—A being strong in trumps passes the doubtful card (seep.129).
Trick 8.TricksAB, 4YZ, 48. Y↷ B Z AKnv♦A♦5♦6♦
Trick 8.
Trick 8.
TricksAB, 4YZ, 48. Y↷ B Z AKnv♦A♦5♦6♦
TricksAB, 4YZ, 48. Y↷ B Z AKnv♦A♦5♦6♦
Trick 9.TricksAB, 5YZ, 49. Y B↷ Z A7♠ 10♠ 3♠ 6♠
Trick 9.
Trick 9.
TricksAB, 5YZ, 49. Y B↷ Z A7♠ 10♠ 3♠ 6♠
TricksAB, 5YZ, 49. Y B↷ Z A7♠ 10♠ 3♠ 6♠
Tricks10 to 13.—B leads the five of spades, which brings down all the outstanding trumps. A makes the thirteenth club and the trump; the adversary makes the king of diamonds (seethe hands below).
AB win two by cards.
(A's hand is given above.)