Marked Finesse

Marked Finesse

♠ K 9 3
♥ –
♦ –
♣ –
N
W   E
 
S
♠ A 10 5
♥ –
♦ –
♣ –

A 'marked' finesse is one where we know the location of the opponent card that we can finesse against.

We are in 3NT, and West's opening lead was ♠2. We played low from dummy and East's jack was covered by our ace. West's fourth-highest lead indicates an honour, and it must be the queen.

Our threat card is the ♠9.

We should lead ♠5 and play the ♠9 when West plays low.