Bidding

1. You are first to bid. Spades are trump. There are 4 players. 9 cards are dealt.
What is your bid and why?

2, 6 Spades.....3, 6, J, A Hearts.....4 Clubs.....3, 9 Diamonds

2. With the same hand as in #1 you are last to bid and each of the others has bid 3.
What is your bid and why?

3. You are last to bid. Spades are trump. There are 3 players. Each of the others has bid 1.
Three cards are dealt. What is your bid and why?

7 Spades.....K Hearts.....6 Clubs

4. In the first hand (1 card) of a 4-handed game you are last to bid. Hearts are Trump. Two of the first three players each bid 1. You hold a Wizard. What is your bid and why?

Bidding Answers

1. Bid 1
Not knowing what the others are going to bid, a bid of 1 is advised. You hope to win with your Ace or by trumping in after dumping your lone club. Your lead and the play of the hand will be determined by the subsequent bidding.

2. Bid zero. Your 2 trumps are weak and you can easily avoid taking a trick with your Ace.

3. Bid zero. You should be able to avoid taking a trick because the others each want a trick. A lead of a heart could be disastrous for you if nobody plays the Ace or trumps in.

4. There is no definitive answer here. It would be helpful if you were familiar with the style of play of the 2 bidders especially the second person. The first person could be bidding on a high heart but he could also have a Wizard. The question is, "What is the second bidder bidding on?" Unless I knew that he was a reckless bidder I would assume he has a Wizard. Consequently I would bid zero.


Leading

1. Diamonds are Trump. The hand has been bid evenly. You have bid zero. What is your lead and why?
Jester....9 Clubs....4 Diamonds....Q Spades....4, K Hearts

2. It is a 4-handed game. Diamonds are Trump. You bid 1 trick. However everyone else bid zero. What do you lead and why?

Wizard....3, K Clubs


Leading Answers

1. Lead the 4 Diamonds. It is a safe lead. Wait and see what happens. Keep the Jester until last unless it is essential that you play it to avoid taking a trick.

2. Lead the 3 of Clubs.
Assuming you do not win the trick:
(a) If anything other than a Club is the 2nd lead discard the King of Clubs.
(b) If the 2nd lead is a Club take it with the Wizard and hope that your King of Clubs is trumped.


Playing Underbid Hands

1. It is a 3-handed game. Three cards are dealt. Diamonds are Trump. You bid 1 but the other 2 players bid zero. A 7 of Clubs is led and you are second to play. What do you play and why?

Wizard...4 Spades...J Clubs

2. It is a 5-handed game. Diamonds are Trump. You bid 2 tricks but the others all bid zero. A 3 of Diamonds is led and you are second to play. What do you play and why?

Wizard....4 Spades....10 Diamonds

Playing Underbid Hands Answers

1. If you play your Jack of Clubs you will probably win the trick and end up taking 2 or even 3 tricks. Play the Wizard and follow with the 4 of Spades. If it loses you will make your bid unless there is a second lead of Clubs on the third card.

2. Play the 10 of Diamonds.
(a) If ithe 10 wins play the 4 of Spades hoping to lose.
(b) If the 10 loses take the next trick with the Wizard and finish with the 4 of Spades. If you don't win with the 4 of Spades at least you know that you will not go down alone.


Playing Overbid Hands

1. It is a 5-handed game. Hearts are Trump. Five cards are dealt and 6 Tricks have been bid. You bid 2. A Heart is led and you are second to play. What do you play and why?

Wizard...4, 10 Diamonds....K Hearts....7 Spades

2. It is a 4-handed game. Hearts are Trump. Five cards are dealt to each player and 6 tricks have been bid. You have bid 2. A Spade is led and you are second to play. What do you play and why?

Jester....7 Clubs....3, J Hearts...K Spades

Playing Overbid Hands Answers

1. There are 3 people to play after you so if you play your King of Hearts you are likely to lose it. Better to play your Wizard and hope to see some high Hearts fall on it. Then lead the 7 of Spades. You then must hope for a lead of a Club or another Spade allowing you to Trump in with your K of Hearts.

2. Play the King of Spades. You could win the trick but even if you don't you have a flexible hand. You are now in position for a lead in any suit.
If you lose the first trick and the lead is a:
(a) Another Spade play the 7 of Clubs unless you are last to play and can win by trumping.
(b) A Club play the 7 of Clubs.
(c) A Diamond play a trump if you are last to play and perhaps if you are second last to play. Otherwise play the 7 of Clubs.
(d) A Heart play the Jester to protect your Trump.
A lot depends on whether you are last to play and how many tricks players playing after you still need.
(Your bid of 2 was aggressive.)