You will encounter this type of problem very often:
You play for example the King of Diamonds for the 4 to the left and the 5 to the right. Then you play the 2 and you see the 6 to the left. Only the Q and the 7 remain out.
Do you play the Ace (what is called playing to the head) or do you finesse by calling the Jack? Note that no decision is stupid! The card positions could be for example Q64 | 75 (you must finesse) or 764 | Q5 (you must play to the head).
It is a question of probabilities and I will spare you the calculations. Because the resulting rule is very simple when you do not know anything special about the opponents' hands otherwise.
The 6-8-10 Rule
Finesse:
- to the King up to 10 cards in your side
- to the Queen up to 8 cards in your side
- to the Jack up to 6 cards in your side
In Diamonds, you have five cards, KJ942, in South and the dummy has three, A63, in North. Without special information, how do you play?
Your side has ten cards in a suit and the King is missing. Without special information, how do you play?
In the example, count the Diamonds cards in your side: you have 8. So: you finesse, it is the best chance.
With nine cards, you play Ace-King to the head according to the rule, but the opposing Queen does not drop. Your partner now wants to make all finesses, regardless of the number of cards. What do you tell him?
Partner opens 1NT. You have 10 HCP, four Spades and three Hearts. Which response allows searching for the best game contract?
Choose carefully between finesse and playing to the head on these deals, and become a pro of the 6-8-10 rule:
Deal 1 Deal 2Your progress
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