Page 107 - Learn Bridge Ver2_Neat

Chapter 10: That Finesse again

The finesse is part of the “possible tricks by position” group which
are the most difficult to find and grow comfortable with. This
is simply because it is a play where you might lose the lead. Let Í A Q 3
us look at the simplest example -
Í 8 7 4
Here we hold a quick trick by power, that is, the Ace. You
should also note that if you simply lay down the Ace you will probably
have one trick in the suit and one trick only.
However, if West holds the King and you lead the Í4 from South and,
when West plays low, you play the Queen you will make 2 tricks.
It is quite true that 50% of the time East will hold the King but you
have lost nothing because you will make the trick that you deserved (the
Ace) later.
What makes it even more difficult is that when you take a finesse, 50%
of the time you will lose the lead and so your gates must be guarded. That
is, you take finesses early most of the time.
Let us see another example -
Here we have a possible trick by position if West holds the ÍA,
however, if we finesse the Queen, by leading from the South hand and
playing the Jack and whatever happens we will play from South
Í K J 3
and play the King we will now make a trick if West holds the
Queen or the Ace (75%).
Í 8 7 4

More sorts of the finesse.

Yes, the type of finesse that we have discussed here is called a “simple
finesse” and now we are going to look at some more complex types.
First we have the deep finesse. A warning here is that
you may lose the lead twice so it is essential that you have Í A Q 10 3
lots of guards on the other gates.
Here we must play small to the 10. If this loses to the
Í 7 4 2
Jack we regain the lead and, if necessary, lead small to the
Queen.

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