Two Finesses–Solution

Here was the original problem:

West leads 5♣️.  North plays 4♣️.  East plays 8♣️.  And declarer (South) wins with Q♣️.

From the play to the first trick it looks like you can count on 11 tricks—three ♣️s, five ♠️s, two ♥️s, and one♦️.  For a twelfth trick you could lead small from the South hand and finesse either Q♦️ or J♥️.  Which finesse should you try ♦️s or ♥️s?


Solution–
To make your contract you only need one of the two red suit finesses to work.  If you start with the ♦️ finesse and it loses you will still be able to regain the lead and try the ♥️ finesse.  But if you start with the ♥️ finesse and it loses you will not be able to later finesse the Q♦️ because the defense will take the K♦️ for their setting trick.  So, start by leading a small ♦️ toward the Q♦️.

Here was the entire deal:

[For more bridge quizzes click on Bridge Index page.]

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One thought on “Two Finesses–Solution

  1. Patrick, how many tricks do you take before the final finesse? The five spades, and then do you take the clubs? If the diamond loses, East will return a club, if you have taken the two more clubs. before finessing.

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