Z's Hand.
Score: Love-all.
Six of spades turned up.
Trick 1.
Tricks AB, 0
YZ, 1
1. A↷ Y B Z
3♠ 8♠ 9♠ 10♠
Trick 2.
Tricks AB, 0
YZ, 2
2. A Y B Z↷
6♥ A♥ 7♥ 4♥
Trick 3.
Tricks AB, 0
YZ, 3
3. A Y↷ B Z
4♣ A♣ 6♣ 7♣
Trick 4.
Tricks AB, 0
YZ, 4
4. A Y↷ B Z
2♣ 10♣ 9♣ Kg♣
Remark (Trick 4).—Y has led from ace, queen, knave, ten; and B, the weak trump hand, has no more clubs.
Trick 5.
Tricks AB, 0
YZ, 5
5. A Y B Z↷
2♠ Knv♠ 4♠ 6♠
Remark (Trick 5).—Z underplays in trumps. To continue hearts, with queen, king marked against him (see Trick 2), or to open diamonds, would be very disadvantageous, so a trump lead is forced, more especially as Y has command of clubs, and B is about to trump that suit. The lead of ace or king of trumps would leave the lead with Z, who would then still be in a difficulty as to his next lead. Further, it is of importance to endeavour to place the lead in Y's hand, that he may continue clubs. Also, if the underplay succeeds, it is not at all unlikely that YZ will win the game.
Trick 6.
Tricks AB, 0
YZ, 6
6. A Y↷ B Z
5♣ Qn♣ 2♦ 3♥
Trick 7.
Tricks AB, 0
YZ, 7
7. A Y↷ B Z
8♣ Knv♣ 8♥ 5♥
Tricks 8 to 13.—Z makes ace, king of trumps, and
YZ win the game.
(Z's hand is given above.)
| A's Hand. | Y's Hand. | B's Hand. | |||
| Qn, 7, 5, 3, 2 | ♠ | Knv, 8 | ♠ | 9, 4 | ♠ |
| Kg, 6 | ♥ | Ace, 2 | ♥ | Qn, 9, 8, 7 | ♥ |
| 8, 5, 4, 2 | ♣ | Ace, Qn, Knv, 10, 3 | ♣ | 9, 6 | ♣ |
| Ace, Qn | ♦ | 10, 5, 4, 3 | ♦ | Knv, 9 8, 7, 2 | ♦ |
At Trick 5, if A puts on queen of spades, second hand, he saves the game. May be, a very shrewd player would have seen through the position, including the importance of preventing Y from getting the lead if possible; but A can hardly be blamed for passing, as it is unlikely that both ace and king of spades are in Z's hand.
Underplay, and playing to the score.
Y's Hand.
Score: Love-all.
Four of spades turned up.
Trick 1.
Tricks AB, 0
YZ, 1
1. B Z A↷ Y
9♣ Qn♣ 6♣ 3♣
Trick 2.
Tricks AB, 0
YZ, 2
2. B Z↷ A Y
3♦ 4♦ 6♦ Kg♦
Trick 3.
Tricks AB, 1
YZ, 2
3. B Z A Y↷
6♠ Qn♠ Kg♠ 3♠
Remark (Trick 3).—Y is justified in playing a forward game. He has four trumps (see pp. 122, 123), ace of the opponent's suit, and a fine heart suit: and his partner has declared strength in diamonds by choosing that suit for his original lead.
Trick 4.
Tricks AB, 1
YZ, 3
4. B Z A↷ Y
2♣ 4♣ 5♣ A♣
Trick 5.
Tricks AB, 2
YZ, 3
5. B Z A Y↷
8♠ 2♠ A♠ 10♠
Trick 6.
Tricks AB, 2
YZ, 4
6. B Z A↷ Y
4♥ 3♥ 10♥ A♥
Remark (Trick 6).—Y is justified in playing a false card here, notwithstanding General Principle 12 (p. 108). The heart is a forced lead, and the card led (the ten) is obviously A's best. Y's scheme is to take another round of trumps, and then to underplay in hearts (see p. 101); so he puts on the ace to deceive B as to the position of the king.
Trick 7.
Tricks AB, 2
YZ, 5
7. B Z A Y↷
9♠ 4♠ 5♠ Knv♠
Trick 8.
Tricks AB, 2
YZ, 6
8. B Z A Y↷
7♥ 9♥ 2♥ 5♥
Tricks 9 to 13.—Z leads the king of clubs, to which Y discards the two of diamonds. Z then leads the knave of hearts, on which Y puts the king; the queen falls (see the hands below); Y brings in the hearts; and
YZ win five by cards.
(Y's hand is given above.)
| A's Hand. | B's Hand. | Z's Hand. | |||
| Ace, Kg, 5 | ♠ | 9, 8, 6 | ♠ | Qn, 4, 2 | ♠ |
| 10, 2 | ♥ | Qn, 7, 4 | ♥ | Knv, 9, 3 | ♥ |
| Knv, 8, 7, 6, 5 | ♣ | 10, 9, 2 | ♣ | Kg, Qn, 4 | ♣ |
| Ace, 8, 6 | ♦ | 10, 9, 7, 3 | ♦ | Qn, Knv, 5, 4 | ♦ |
A and B both play the hand badly. At Trick 6, A, in the face of an adverse trump lead and the command of his suit (clubs) against him, should lead the ace of diamonds to make the third trick and save the game. At Trick 8, B should put on his queen of hearts. He is fairly taken in by Y's dark play at Trick 6; but he ought not to have allowed himself to be so. He should have argued that Y, who has been playing a very strong game, would not be likely to put on ace second hand merely for the purpose of getting the lead or of making sure of a trick. Further, if A's lead was a forced one, from weakness (hearts being the only suit in which B can be strong), Z is sure to finesse if he has king, knave, or even king, nine. So B's best chance of making the queen is to put it on (see p. 102).
Defensive trump lead, and playing to the score.
A's Hand.
Score: Love-all.
Nine of clubs turned up.
Trick 1.
Tricks AB, 1
YZ, 0
1. Y B Z A↷
6♣ Kg♣ 4♣ 3♣
Remark (Trick 1).—A defensive trump lead, to avoid opening a three card suit.
Trick 2.
Tricks AB, 2
YZ, 0
2. Y B↷ Z A
7♣ A♣ 8♣ 5♣
Trick 3.
Tricks AB, 3
YZ, 0
3. Y B↷ Z A
8♦ Kg♦ 6♦ 5♦
Trick 4.
Tricks AB, 3
YZ, 1
4. Y B↷ Z A
Knv♣ 2♣ 9♣ 10♣
Remark (Trick 4).—A's finesse is unlucky. He is, however, clearly justified in not parting with the command of trumps, as, even if the finesse does not succeed, he remains with the last trump, will be led up to in one of his guarded suits, and will, in all probability, bring in his partner's diamonds.
Trick 5.
Tricks AB, 3
YZ, 2
5. Y↷ B Z A
4♥ 3♥ A♥ 2♥
Trick 6.
Tricks AB, 3
YZ, 3
6. Y B Z↷ A
9♥ 6♥ Knv♥ 8♥
Trick 7.
Tricks AB, 3
YZ, 4
7. Y B Z↷ A
Kg♥ 7♥ 5♥ Qn♥
Trick 8.
Tricks AB, 4
YZ, 4
8. Y↷ B Z A
10♥ 10♠ 6♠ Qn♣
Tricks 9 to 13.—A leads the queen of diamonds, and finds his partner with the entire command of diamonds (see B's hand below).
AB score three by cards and two by honours.
(A's hand is given above.)
| Y's Hand. | B's Hand. | Z's Hand. | |||
| 8, 7, 4, 3, 2 | ♠ | 10 | ♠ | Ace, Qn, 9, 6 | ♠ |
| Kg, 10, 9, 4 | ♥ | 7, 6, 3 | ♥ | Ace, Knv, 5 | ♥ |
| Knv, 7, 6 | ♣ | Ace, Kg, 2 | ♣ | 9, 8, 4 | ♣ |
| 8 | ♦ | A, Kg, Knv, 4, 3, 2 | ♦ | 10, 9, 6 | ♦ |
It may be observed that Z loses the game by bad play at Trick 7. The fall of the cards in Tricks 5 and 6 shows that A has the queen of hearts, and Y the king. Z should therefore, at Trick 7, lead the ace of spades to make the fourth trick, and then the heart, making the fifth trick and saving the game.
At Trick 8, if Y leads a spade and Z does not finesse, the game may be saved. To finesse at that point would be very bad play, as the ace of spades makes the fifth trick. But Y's play at Trick 8, though unfortunate, is not wrong; for Y cannot tell that Z has the ace of spades; indeed, the presumption is that he has not, or he would have led it. Y properly plays to force the long trump, and to make his partner fourth player.
An ill-judged call for trumps, and a well-judged third round, notwithstanding the adverse strength.
B's Hand.
Score: Four-all.
Queen of spades turned up.
Trick 1.
Tricks AB, 0
YZ, 1
1. Z A↷ Y B
6♣ 10♣ A♣ 2♣
Trick 2.
Tricks AB, 1
YZ, 1
2. Z A Y↷ B
Kg♦ A♦ 3♦ 6♦
Trick 3.
Tricks AB, 1
YZ, 2
3. Z A↷ Y B
4♣ Knv♣ 2♠ 3♣
Remark.—Z has called for trumps.
Trick 4.
Tricks AB, 1
YZ, 3
4. Z A Y↷ B
Knv♠ 6♠ A♠ 4♠
Trick 5.
Tricks AB, 2
YZ, 3
5. Z A Y↷ B
8♠ Kg♣ 7♠ Kg♠
Remark.—The fall of the spades (see Tricks 3, 4, and 5) shows that the three is in Y's hand.
Trick 6.
Tricks AB, 2
YZ, 4
6. Z A Y B↷
9♠ 8♣ 3♠ 5♠
Remark.—It is seldom right to continue trumps when led by the opponents; but this is an exceptional case. B plays well in drawing two trumps for one, as it is evident that if Y and Z make their trumps separately they must win the odd trick.
Trick 7.
Tricks AB, 3
YZ, 4
7. Z↷ A Y B
4♦ 7♦ 9♦ 10♦
Trick 8.
Tricks AB, 4
YZ, 4
8. Z A Y B↷
7♣ 9♣ 4♥ 5♣
Trick 9.
Tricks AB, 5
YZ, 4
9. Z A↷ Y B
3♥ Qn♣ 5♥ 8♥
Trick 10.
Tricks AB, 5
YZ, 5
10. Z A↷ Y B
10♠ 8♦ Knv♦ Qn♦
Tricks 11 to 13.—Whatever Z leads, B makes ace, queen of hearts; and
AB win the odd trick.
(B's hand is given above.)
| A's Hand. | Y's Hand. | Z's Hand. | |||
| 6 | ♠ | Ace, 7, 3, 2 | ♠ | Qn, Knv, 10, 9, 8 | ♠ |
| 9, 6, 2 | ♥ | 7, 5, 4 | ♥ | Kg, Knv, 3 | ♥ |
| Kg, Qn, Knv, 10, 9, 8 | ♣ | Ace | ♣ | 7, 6, 4 | ♣ |
| Ace, 8, 7 | ♦ | Knv, 9, 5, 3, 2 | ♦ | Kg, 4 | ♦ |
Z's call for trumps is ill-judged, especially at the score of four-all. The whole club suit is declared against him, as Y, putting on ace, second hand, can have no more. If Z does not call, he wins the game easily.
Returned lead, and refusing a force.
A's Hand.
Score: AB, one; YZ, love.
Knave of spades turned up.
Trick 1.
Tricks AB, 1
YZ, 0
1. Y B Z A↷
3♠ Qn♠ 6♠ 4♠
Trick 2.
Tricks AB, 2
YZ, 0
2. Y B↷ Z A
8♠ 7♠ Knv♠ A♠
Remark (Trick 2).—B has the five of spades, and Y the king. A, therefore, does not continue the trump, but leaves the small spade in his partner's hand.
Trick 3.
Tricks AB, 3
YZ, 0
3. Y B Z A↷
3♦ Kg♦ 2♦ 7♦
Trick 4.
Tricks AB, 4
YZ, 0
4. Y B↷ Z A
6♦ 10♦ 4♦ Qn♦
Trick 5.
Tricks AB, 5
YZ, 0
5. Y B Z A↷
9♦ 2♣ 5♦ A♦
Trick 6.
Tricks AB, 6
YZ, 0
6. Y B Z A↷
Knv♦ 5♠ 2♥ 8♦
Trick 7.
Tricks AB, 6
YZ, 1
7. Y B↷ Z A
A♣ 4♣ 7♣ 9♣
Trick 8.
Tricks AB, 6
YZ, 2
8. Y↷ B Z A
Kg♠ 3♣ 7♥ 2♠
Trick 9.
Tricks AB, 6
YZ, 3
9. Y↷ B Z A
Qn♣ 5♣ 8♣ 3♥
Remark (Trick 9).—A knows B has two more clubs (see Tricks 7 and 8, and p. 106). A, therefore, desires to leave the lead with Y, that he may go on with another club, and so clear B's suit.
Trick 10.
Tricks AB, 7
YZ, 3
10. Y↷ B Z A
Kg♣ 6♣ Knv♣ 9♠
Trick 11.
Tricks AB, 8
YZ, 3
11. Y B Z A↷
4♥ A♥ 9♥ 6♥
Remark (Trick 11).—A leads his smallest heart, as he does not want to tempt B to finesse (see p. 142). B has ace, queen of hearts (see his hand below), but he does not finesse, as the ace of hearts, last club, and A's trump make every trick.
AB win four by cards.
(A's hand is given above.)
| Y's Hand. | B's Hand. | Z's Hand. | |||
| Kg, 8, 3 | ♠ | Qn, 7, 5 | ♠ | Knv, 6 | ♠ |
| 8, 5, 4 | ♥ | Ace, Qn | ♥ | Kg, Knv, 9, 7, 2 | ♥ |
| Ace, Kg, Qn | ♣ | 10, 6, 5, 4, 3, 2 | ♣ | Knv, 8, 7 | ♣ |
| Knv, 9, 6, 3 | ♦ | Kg, 10 | ♦ | 5, 4, 2 | ♦ |
Y should play queen of clubs at Trick 7, and ace of clubs at Trick 9, when A will not have sufficient materials for his coup, as he will be uncertain as to the position of the best club. Y gives his adversary too much information by playing book (see p. 113). When the adversaries have command of trumps, it is often advisable, towards the end of a hand, to play so as not to enable them to count the cards.
Refusing to overtrump.
A's Hand.
Score: Three-all.
Five of diamonds turned up.
Trick 1.
Tricks AB, 0
YZ, 1
1. Y B Z A↷
8♠ Knv♠ 6♦ 2♠
Trick 2.
Tricks AB, 0
YZ, 2
2. Y B Z↷ A
7♦ 5♣ 10♦ 2♦
Trick 3.
Tricks AB, 1
YZ, 2
3. Y B Z↷ A
Qn♥ A♥ 4♥ 2♥
Trick 4.
Tricks AB, 2
YZ, 2
4. Y B↷ Z A
4♣ Kg♣ 9♣ 2♣
Trick 5.
Tricks AB, 3
YZ, 2
5. Y B↷ Z A
7♣ A♣ Qn♣ 3♣
Trick 6.
Tricks AB, 3
YZ, 3
6. Y B↷ Z A
8♣ Knv♣ 5♦ 3♠
Remark (Trick 6).-A does not overtrump. This is the sort of coup for which no rule can be laid down in a book, as it depends entirely on the state of the game and the previous fall of the cards. A sees, that his only chance of two by cards is for the remaining trumps to be divided, and for him to be able to get two rounds before he loses the command of hearts. If then his partner has ace, queen of spades, he may win the game against two by honours.
Trick 7.
Tricks AB, 4
YZ, 3
7. Y B Z↷ A
8♥ 6♥ 3♥ 10♥
Trick 8.
Tricks AB, 5
YZ, 3
8. Y B Z A↷
8♦ 6♣ Knv♦ A♦
Trick 9.
Tricks AB, 5
YZ, 4
9. Y B Z A↷
9♦ 4♠ Qn♦ 3♦
Trick 10.
Tricks AB, 5
YZ, 5
10. Y B Z↷ A
10♣ 6♠ Kg♦ 4♦
Tricks 11 to 13.—Z leads a heart which A wins. A leads a spade, and finds his partner with ace, queen; and
AB win two by cards (which score before honours).
(A's hand is given above.)
| Y's Hand. | B's Hand. | Z's Hand. | |||
| Kg, 9, 8 | ♠ | Ace, Qn, Knv, 7, 6, 4 | ♠ | ||
| Qn, 9, 8 | ♥ | Ace, 6 | ♥ | Knv, 7, 5, 4, 3 | ♥ |
| 10, 8, 7, 4 | ♣ | Ace, Kg, Knv, 6, 5 | ♣ | Qn, 9 | ♣ |
| 9, 8, 7 | ♦ | Kg, Qn, Knv, 10, 6, 5 | ♦ | ||
Refusing to overtrump.
Y's Hand.
Score: Four-all.
Five of spades turned up.
Trick 1.
Tricks AB, 1
YZ, 0
1. B Z A↷ Y
A♦ 2♦ 9♦ Qn♦
Trick 2.
Tricks AB, 2
YZ, 0
2. B↷ Z A Y
10♣ 6♣ A♣ 3♣
Trick 3.
Tricks AB, 3
YZ, 0
3. B Z A↷ Y
2♣ 3♦ Kg♦ 7♦
Trick 4.
Tricks AB, 3
YZ, 1
4. B Z A↷ Y
4♣ 4♦ Knv♦ Kg♠