Finesse

A play which gains a trick by virtue of the position of the cards at the table:

                AQ

K2          (A)         65

65          (B)         K2

               43

South leads a low heart toward the AQ.  When West plays low dummy plays the Queen.  In position (A), with the King "onside" and the finesse "working", South will win 2 tricks.  In position (B) because the King is "offside",  South will win only 1 trick.

See also:  Backward Finesse

                  Chinese Finesse

                  Deep Finesse

                  Double Finesse

                  Ruffing Finesse

Compiled by Lorne Russell 2005