Keep this safely in your folder
so that you can refer back to it.
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I
play double finesses
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Doing a simple finesse consists of playing a low card towards an honour hoping that the higher honour is placed before it.
When two honours are missing you can do the same thing twice in a row. You are said to be doing a double finesse.
| For example: |
 A
J 10 |
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5
4 3 |
To make two tricks in Spades (the suit with King and Queen missing) you play a first finesse by playing the 3 for the 10. If the two honours are before the Ace-Jack-10, the 10 takes the trick.. If not, the 10 is taken, for example by the Queen.
| The situation has become: |
A
J |
|
|
|
5
4 |
The is only the King missing. You do a second finesse (simple this time), by playing the 4 of Spades for the Jack.
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In this way you
manage to take two Spade tricks each time one honour at least is
placed before the fork
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There also exist double finesses which allow you to win one or two tricks.
| For example: |
 A
Q 10 |
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|
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5
4 3 |
You play the 3 of Hearts for the 10 (first finesse):
| * | if the King and the Jack are in West, you make the trick with the 10 and all you have to do is re-play the 4 of Hearts for the Queen to make three tricks in total. |
| * | if the King and the Jack are separated, you will make two tricks (check…). |
Finally there exist indirect double finesses (which oblige you to give the lead to the opposition).
| A Final example: |
 Q
J 6 |
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5
4 2 |
To make a trick in Diamonds you have to play twice towards the Queen-Jack, hoping that the Ace or the King are placed before.