A finesse is an attempt to win a trick with a lesser card. It is more frequently seen in the game of Bridge; yet, it is a universal play applicable to several card games (Whist, Hearts, and Euchre come to mind). Suppose you need two tricks to fulfill your contract or to set the opponents. You are coming down to the end of a hand, and three or four tricks are remaining. You hold the Ace and Queen of Spades. Trumps have been "broken".

Your partner, who has already made his bid, leads the Eight of trump, and your right hand opponent plays the Nine in normal cadence. (If he hesitates and fumbles, he is a favorite to hold the King -- unless he is "coffee housing" and trying to deceive you). What do you do? If you grab the Ace, you will lose the Queen to the King to whichever opponent holds this card -- unless the King drops singleton under your Ace -- a very remote possibility.

Your best chance (50%) is to play the Queen. If the left hand opponent holds the King, you still lose it. However, if your right hand opponent has the monarch, and ducks, your Queen will win this trick. Then you will score your Ace on the next round of trump. Although the 50% proposition is not a sure thing -- it is far better odds than hoping to drop a singleton. The same applies to the identical combination in a side suit; however, the likelihood of a ruff is greatly increased at the end of a hand.

Finesses come in all sizes and shapes. There is the common A-Q specimen, the K-J special, and ever favorite K-Q opposite a void "ruffing" uppercut. Suppose you hold K-8 or K-7-3 of a suit. Partner has already secured his bid; you are in desperate need of one more trick to make yours. It is the first round of this suit. A lead from your left hand opponent is ideal -- as you will get to play the King in fourth position, or duck if the Ace shows up. If your partner or right hand opponent leads this suit, and the Ace does not appear, you must play the King. If the Ace-Queen are behind your King, he is trapped. If you play low, any experienced opponent will finesse if he has the opportunity. If your partner holds the Ace, you are safe; however, he has already made his contract. The key to success is your right hand opponent, and if he holds the Ace or ducks, you are golden. This is one of the few exceptions to the "second hand low" axiom.

# Tricks Needed

You hold this:

Lead from Right (or partner)

Proper Play

Comment

2

A Q

x

Q

Standard

1

K x

x

K

Now or Never

2

A Q 10

x

Q

Very routine

3

A Q 10

x

10

For 3 tricks

2

K Q x

x

K

Standard

1

K J x

10

K

Standard

2

K J x

10

J

Best chance

3

A K J

10

J

2

A J 10

8

J

(repeating finesse)

Review this table, and try to remember the basic combinations. Please note that there are times that when you win a finesse and if it needs to be repeated -- you must shift suits. In this way, you may have the opportunity to repeat the finesse. It is essential to determine when and when not to finesse. Long suits (5 or more cards), diminish the probability of successful finesses. Nothing is more irritating than to take a finesse, lose it, and then have your Ace ruffed on the next round of the same suit. Bags are also a critical factor. Therefore, use the finesse wisely, but do not become over dependent on it. The wreckage of many "overfinessed" hands is littered on the reefs and shoals of the "Island of Spades"!