finessing the queen

FINESSING THE QUEEN

WHAT IS A FINESSE???
A Finesse is an attempt to win tricks with
a lower card than one held by the opponents.

FINESSING THE QUEEN

w If there are entries in both North and South hands, play the Ace or the King before taking the Finesse. Who knows, on a good day the Queen will sitting singleton.

w EXAMPLE 1. If the Ace, King and Jack are in one hand; lead to the Jack.

w EXAMPLE 2. If the Ace and King are in one hand; and the Jack and Ten in the other, then play the Jack (or the Ten) and let ride.

w EXAMPLE 3. If the Ace and King are in different hands; and the Jack and Ten are also in different hands; lead to the Jack or to the Ten. This Finesse can be taken either way. That is, Declarer can play for the Queen to be with East or with West.

w EXAMPLE 4. If the Ace and King are in different hands; and the Jack Ten are in the same hand; lead to the Jack/Ten; or lead the Jack or the Ten and let it ride. The Finess can be taken either way. Declarer's choice.

w EXAMPLES 3 and 4 are called Two Way Finesses. The North or South hand could play first. Declarer must decide where the Queen is. He has the choice of which way to Finesse; either through East or through West.

EXAMPLES

1.
NORTH
A
K
J
_____

SOUTH
X
X
X

2.
NORTH
A
K
X
_____

SOUTH
J
10
X

3.
NORTH
A
J
X
_____

SOUTH
K
10
X

4.
NORTH
A
X
X
_____

SOUTH
K
J
10

QUIZ 21 FINESSING THE QUEEN

1. FINESSE CITY 2
YOU ARE PLAYING IN 7 NO TRUMP???!!! WEST IS ON LEAD.
HINT: THE HAND CAN BE MADE.

NORTH

A K 6

J 10 9 2

J 5 4

J 10 7

WEST
EAST

Q 9 8 7
5 3 2

8 7 6
K 5 4

Q 10 9 8 7
3 2

Q
9 8 7 6 3 2

SOUTH

J 10 4

A Q 3

A K 6

A K 5 4

2. WHERE ARE THE QUEENS?? DOES IT MATTER?
WHICH WAY TO FINESSE? SOUTH IS THE DEALER.

NORTH

K 4

K J 4

9 8 6

A J 10 3 2

WEST
EAST

Q J 10 5 3
9 8 7 6

? 7
? 6 5

A 7 4 2
Q J 10

? 6
? 8 4

SOUTH

A 2

A 10 9 3 2

K 5 3

K 9 5

ANSWERS to Quiz 21

	NORTH
	A K 6
	J 10 9 2
	J 5 4
	J 10 7

WEST		EAST
Q 9 8 7		5 3 2
8 7 6		K 5 4
Q 10 9 8 7		3 2
Q		9 8 7 6 3 2

	SOUTH
	J 10 4
	A Q 3
	A K 6
	A K 5 4

	NORTH
	K 4
	K J 4
	9 8 6
	A J 10 3 2

WEST		EAST
Q J 10 5 3		9 8 7 6
? 7		? 6 5
A 7 4 2		Q J 10
? 6		? 8 4

	SOUTH
	A 2
	A 10 9 3 2
	K 5 3
	K 9 5