To Finesse or Not to Finesse

In this lesson:

A finesse is a tool; and you don't use a tool without rhyme or reason, just because it happens to be lying about. - Alfred Sheinwold

When it comes to finesses, a major philosophical difference separates the masses from the most accomplished players. Most players love to finesse. Finessing is usually simple, and it provides immediate gratification (when it works).

However, experts don't like to finesse; never have and never will. Why? Finesses lose half the time. Marty compares the expert's mindset with that of a professional gambler. He certainly doesn't get rich on 50-50 propositions. Of course, that does does not mean that you should never finesse. Finessing will always be an important part of the game.

For each deal, Marty will explain exactly how and what you should think to decide whether or not you should finesse.

• - How to give yourself an extra chance
• - When should you play differently at matchpoints
• - When it is more helpful to count winners in a suit contract
• - What you must know about suit combinations
• - How to avoid annoying misguesses
• - How to make the most of 5-card suits
• - How to prevent the dangerous opponent from gaining the lead
• - The right time to lose your loser(s)
• - The right time to throw a loser on a loser
• - The right time to go for an endplay
• - The right time to take a safety play

Here is an example of what Marty will discuss in the lesson:

South is the declarer in 4♠. West leads the ♦A and continues with the ♦K.  How would you play?

Contract: 4♠ by South
Opening Lead: ♦A

As is often the case, you are in 4 of a major with 4 possible losers. On a bad day, you'll lose 1 diamond, 1 club, and 2 hearts. If East has the ♥A, then 4♠ is cold, so assume that West has it.

You'd like to establish dummy's clubs and discard a heart or two. But, if East gets in and leads a heart through your ♥K, you will have no alternative to finessing. In fact, because of your tenuous heart holding, it is fair to say that East is a dangerous opponent. On the other hand, if West has the lead, you are safe. If he wants to lead a heart, that's just fine with you.

Meanwhile, here you are at trick 2. When West leads the ♦K, you have an opportunity to lose a trick to the safe opponent, so DO NOT ruff. Instead, discard your inevitable club loser. Once you reduce your club holding to a ♣A6, you'll be able to set up dummy's clubs without any chance that East will get the lead.

West will probably exit with a trump. No other lead would affect the outcome. Once you no longer have a club loser, you're now happy to work on that suit. You'll draw their trumps in two rounds. Cash the ♣A and ♣K, and hope both opponents follow to 2 rounds. As long as clubs split 3-2, you are all set. Ruff the 3rd round, and lead a low trump to dummy. Cash the two established club winners and discard your two small hearts. Your only remaining loser is the ♥K.

If clubs were 4-1, you would lead to your ♥K and hope for the best. If that lost, you'd be down one, but you'll have no regrets. If clubs are 4-1 and West has the ♥A, E-W would be cold for 11 tricks, so you will still be delighted with your result.