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Finesse - A lead towards an opponent's possible winning card, anticipating an opportunity to trap the intervening card.

  K J 10 7


 
Q 3 2


 

6 5


  A 9 8 4


 

South leads a S9, anticipating West may have the missing SQ onside.  With this holding, whether West plays the SQ or not, South will win 4 tricks using a finesse strategy (repeating the finesse when West ducks playing the SQ).  If South immediately played the SA and SK, West would win the SQ on the third trick.

Here we have a two-way finesse opportunity -- guessing East has the SQ, South could lead a SJ from North, playing a low Spade from South.  If East ducks, repeat the finesse.

For a comprehensive evaluation of finesse opportunities, see Suit Combinations

Here are some samples of finessing scenarios:

 

A Q 4

 

 

 

Play low toward Q

 

4 3 2

 


 

K Q 5

 

 

 

Play low toward Q, if opponent does not play A, repeat sequence

 

4 3 2

 


A 5 4

Play Ace then low toward Q

Q 3 2


 

A J 4

 

 

 

Cash K, then play low toward J

 

K 3 2

 


 

A 3 2

 

 

 

Play Q, if opponent does not play K, repeat sequence

 

Q J 10

 


 

A J 10 9

 

 

 

Play low toward J, repeat low toward 10

 

4 3 2

 


 

A J 9

 

 

 

Play low toward 9, repeat low toward J

 

4 3 2

 


 

K J 10

 

 

 

Play low toward J, repeat low toward 10

 

4 3 2

 


 

A Q 10

 

 

 

Play low toward 10, repeat low toward Q

However, try not to break suit the suit, seeking an endplay. If desperate, try low to J 10  once, then cash A, hoping to trap honor or doubleton K or Q

 

4 3 2

 


 

A 3 2

 

 

 

Play low toward 10, repeat low toward J

 

J 10 4

 


 

Q 9 5 2

 

 

 

Play low to K (away from Q 9 tenace first)

 

K J 4 3

 


 

A 3 2

 

 

 

Do not break suit, seek an endplay. If desperate, try low to J 10  once, then cash A, hoping to trap honor or doubleton K or Q

 

J 10 4

 


 

A 3 2

 

 

 

Similar to the above, first play low to the 9 before cashing the A

 

J 9 4

 


 

A K J 6

 

 

 

Holding an 8 card suit, first play the A hoping the opponent drops the Q or perhaps the 10 (Restricted Choice), then finesse the Q if opponents both play low

 

5 4 3 2

 


 

A 2

 

 

 

Do not break suit, seek endplay.  If slam, consider squeeze (play A and make opponent guard K)

 

Q 3

 


 

A 3 2

 

 

 

Simple approach is A then finesse opponents' K. If opponents' have 3 of top 7 (K J 10), declarer holds 4 of top 7 – A Q 9 8. With endplay and squeeze opportunities, watch opponent suit discards, first playing other suits

 

Q 9 8

 


 

A 4 3 2

 

 

 

Typically cash A then finesse opponent’s Q.  Carefully watch count, signaling, leads, inferences.

 

K J 6 5

 


 

A K Q 10

 

 

 

Opponent 4-2 “a-priori” break is 48% and 3-3 is 35%.  Consider defender play tactics, watching count and Restricted Choice clues.

 

4 3 2

 


 

Q 3 2

 

 

 

Take early finesse toward hidden stiff K. Plan play before playing to trick 1, proceeding early to make a smooth play

 

K

 


 

K 10 5

 

 

 

Depending on auction level, endplay may be mandatory.  But simply first playing toward the 10 brings up odds from 50% to 62%.  In Notrump contracts consider dangerous opponent

 

4 3 2

 


 

A J 10

 

 

 

Basic repeated finesse with 76% chance to make 2 tricks

 

4 3 2

 


 

A Q 10

 

 

 

As above, 76% chance to make 2 or a 24% chance for 3 tricks

 

4 3 2

 


 

A Q 9

 

 

 

Same idea here, finessing to the 9 has a 63% chance to make 2

 

4 3 2

 


 

A 3 2

 

 

 

Cash A then play low to Q 10 hoping Right Hand Opponent makes life easy.

 

Q 10 4

 


 

A 3 2

 

 

 

Finesse toward Q Jnever lead Q or J (unless only 2 tricks are needed). If Q holds, play toward A and repeat finesse to J to make 3.

 

Q J 5 4

 


 

A 3 2

 

 

 

Same as above, although with 8 card suit cash the A first (Rabbi rule dropping K)

 

Q J 6 5 4

 


 

A J 3 [2]

 

 

 

When playing for 3 tricks, never lead Q. Play toward J and then cash A; holding 4 cards, the declarer can actually make 4 if opponent carelessly discards one card and partner holds K x or if opponents are 3-3 and one mistakenly goes up on repeated finesse.  However if West is marked with honors, cash A and then finesse West for K x

 

Q 4 3

 


 

A K J

 

 

 

Play A, then finesse the Left Hand Opponent's Q

 

4 3 2

 


 

A K 10 4

 

 

 

Play A (hoping West holds Q x), next low toward 10, then cash K.

 

J 3 2

 


 

A Q 10 3

 

 

 

Play depends on entries.  With entries, tempt with the J and West will likely cover holding K.  Without entries, play 9 and West will not cover – then play J

 

J 9 2

 


 

A Q 9 3 2

 

 

 

Holding intermediates with side suit transportation problems, consider unblocking maneuvers.  Lead the 10 to the A (not low to A), then low to K – the only way to make 4 when West is long in the suit

 

K 10 4

 

Also see Suit Combinations and Finesse Bridge Books
 

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