An apparent exception to this rule occurs when the lead is made in answer to a declaration, or as an evident effort to find the partner's strength. For example, the original Third Hand, with six Hearts headed by King, Ten, and two reëntries, has called Hearts. The Declarer is playing a No-trumper, and the opening is the Knave of Hearts. The Dummy is without strength. In that case, the Declarer is marked with both the Ace and Queen of Hearts. The Third Hand should, therefore, play small. The play of the King cannot be of any benefit, and should the Declarer have the Nine, will be most expensive. This really is not a finesse against nothing, but, the position of the winning cards being marked, is merely a conservation of strength.
The same general principle applies in many similar cases; when, however, a small card is led, the Third Hand should not finesse, unless the Dummy contain some high card.
Playing No-trump, the following finesses are advisable over the Dummy:—
| WHEN DUMMY HAS | FINESSE |
| Ace, Queen | |
| King | Ace, Knave |
| Ace, Ten | |
| King, Knave | Ace, Ten |
| Ace, Nine | |
| King, Ten | Ace, Nine |
| Queen | Ace, Knave |
| Ace, Ten | |
| King, Knave | |
| King, Ten | |
| Knave | Ace, Ten |
| King, Ten | |
| Queen, Ten |
Do not, however, except with a fourchette, finesse against Queen or Knave singly guarded, when it is evident that the Declarer and Dummy hold only four cards of the suit, and the Ace or King is marked with the leader.
When playing No-trump, as a rule do not finesse if so doing will block the partner's suit.
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SCORING AND SCORE-SHEETS
The score is a very important incident of the game of Auction, and to keep it properly requires considerable care and skill.