Editing Finesse (section)

===Double and triple finesse===
A double finesse is a finesse against two honours held by the opponents. Sometimes it can gain two tricks:
{{BridgeSuitNS|{{spades}} A Q 10|{{spades}} 7 4 3}}
South leads a spade to the 10; if it holds, he reenters his hand via another suit and leads another spade to the queen; if the 10 loses and he subsequently regains the lead in his hand, he likewise leads another spade to the queen. North-South will take three spade tricks if West has both the king and the jack (probability about 25% in the absence of any information), two if East and West have one each (50%), but only one if East has both (25%).{{Clear}}

Other times it can gain one trick:
{{BridgeSuitNS|{{spades}} A J 10|{{spades}} 7 4 3}}
South leads a spade to the 10.  Assuming it loses, he reenters his hand and then leads another spade to the jack. North-South will take two spade tricks if West has either the king or the queen, or both (probability about 75% in the absence of any information), but only one if East has both (25%). However, this combination lends itself to an [[endplay]] - if one can be effected two tricks are guaranteed.{{Clear}}

Similarly, a triple finesse is possible, and occasionally desirable, with a holding such as A-Q-10-8.  This would be a low-probability desperation play if four tricks are needed in the suit, but two or three will probably be made.