§28. opening leads against suit contracts

Opening Leads Against Suit Contracts www.vubridge.com © Paul Bowyer 2018

§28. Opening Leads Against Suit Contracts.

By the end of this chapter you should understand the following terms:

Short-suit leads:

Passive leads:

Attacking leads:

The lead of a singleton or a doubleton in a side-suit, made with the aim of obtaining a ruff in the suit.

A lead from a collection of low cards, or a trump lead, made with the aim of giving nothing away or, in other words, with the aim of making declarer do all the running.

Leads of low cards from suits headed by honour-cards, aiming to set up a winner or two in that suit.

There is a marked difference in tactics for the player on opening lead against a suit contract as against a No-trump contract. The main principle in No-trumps is to lead from a long suit (unless, of course, it is known to be well held by the opposition). Against a suit contract these tactics are generally pointless; although it might be the right thing to do to lead from a long suit there is rarely an urgency to do so.

Let us look at a typical deal, firstly played in 3NT and then in a suit contract (4♥):

Hand 1 ♠ 6 3 2

South plays in 3NT or 4♥. ♥ 9 8 7♦ A Q 10♣ A 10 8 5

♠ K J 7 5 4 Dummy ♠ 10 9 8♥ A K

W E ♥ 4 3 2

♦ 8 7 5 3 ♦ 6 4 2♣ 9 2 Declarer ♣ Q J 6 3

♠ A Q♥ Q J 10 6 5♦ K J 9♣ K 7 4

Firstly, against 3NT West leads the ♠5 (the classic fourth-highest-of-your-longest-and-strongest), won by the ♠Q. With seven top tricks declarer has to play on Hearts to develop the necessary extras, but West has the tempo. Winning the ♥K West plays another Spade to knock out South’s second stopper in the suit and can cash three Spade tricks when he gets on lead with the ♥A. Although the Spade lead into the ♠A Q seems to have cost a trick, West gains the upper hand by setting up his long suit.

Now let’s look at the defence against 4♥. In this case West should leave Spades strictly alone; the best defence being to play passively. This is achieved by leading a Diamond (the ♦7, a card which will be explained later), apparently gaining nothing for the defence but, all-importantly, conceding nothing either. Declarer always has three tricks in Diamonds and leading the suit does the defence no harm.

The important point to realise on this hand is that West must not lead Spades against 4♥ but must lead Spades against 3NT. Of course, West cannot know what the full deal is and cannot know what the right opening lead is. It might be that East has the ♠Q (or the ♠A) and a Spade lead is necessary to beat 4♥. The subject of opening leads against suit contracts is difficult area and the difficulty is compounded by the fact that the opening lead is “blind”, meaning that it is as much a matter of guesswork as good play.

So, what constitutes a good lead against a suit contract? Well, there are many different tactics. Firstly, if partner has bid a suit (especially an overcall) there is a guiding light of what to lead. After an unhelpful auction, though, there is a series of possible strategies. For one, there are short suit leads. Then there are sequence leads (which are both constructive and passive). Then there are passive leads (trump leads and leads from rubbish). Finally, there are attacking leads; that is leads from honours in the hope of developing tricks quickly.

We need to look at these ideas in turn; best being to consider a series of examples. Note that there are no hard and fast rules – the only lead that is (almost) never contemplated is a lead away from an Ace.

To show you just how tricky this whole topic of opening leads against suit contracts is, it may prove instructive to consider two deals that bring up interesting comparisons. In both cases South is playing in 4♠ and in both cases West has a tricky lead.

What would you suggest? (See overleaf, Hands 2 and 3).

Page S §28.1


Hand 2 ♠ A Q J 6

South plays in 4♠. ♥ 10 5 4 ♦ K 8 4 ♣ J 3 2 ♠ 7 5 4 Dummy ♠ None

♥ K 2 W E ♥ J 9 8 7 6 3

♦ A 10 6 3 ♦ J 7 5

♣ K 9 5 4 Declarer ♣ Q 8 7

♠ K 10 9 8 3 2 ♥ A Q ♦ Q 9 ♣ A 10 6

Here, in Hand 2, the Club suit is untouchable (we say it is frozen). If West leads a Club (at any time in the hand) then declarer will be able to make two Club tricks and his contract. If, on the other hand, declarer is forced to open up the Clubs himself then the defenders will make two Club tricks (if they defend accurately, anyway), and that will be enough to defeat 4♥. Note that a Diamond lead from West (a low card or the ♦A) is also fatal for the defence. South would be able to set up two Diamond tricks and get a crucial Heart discard. In general: don’t underlead Aces; don’t lead “empty” Aces.

Hand 3 ♠ K 8 3

South plays in 4♠. ♥ Q J 10 7 6 5 ♦ K ♣ A 10 7 ♠ 7 5 4 Dummy ♠ 9 2

♥ K 2 W E ♥ 9 8 3

♦ A 10 6 3 ♦ 9 8 7 4 2

♣ K 9 5 4 Declarer ♣ Q J 3

♠ A Q J 10 6 ♥ A 4 ♦ Q J 5 ♣ 8 6 2

Hand 3, by contrast, shows the other side of the coin. In this layout, declarer can make 4♠ by setting up dummy’s Hearts. Any lead other than a Club would allow declarer time to lose a Heart to West’s King and then claim a lot of Spades and Hearts, not to mention the ♣A. The only lead to beat the hand is a Club – after that East-West have the tempo to make two Clubs, a Heart and a Diamond.

Here, then, is one of the paradoxes of bridge. On Hand 2 West cannot lead a Club without wrecking the defensive chances; on Hand 3 he must lead a Club to defeat the hand. How can he tell?

The sad answer is that often it is impossible to guess what the killing lead might be (if, indeed, there is one). However, the bidding can be indicative and may light a flare-path (or give you an inkling, anyway).

In Hand 2 it is possible that North-South bid (South first): 1♠ – 3♠ – 4♠. With little evidence of any long side-suits around that may provide declarer with a useful source of tricks West does best to get off play by leading a trump. This puts the onus on South to make ten tricks rather than on East-West to make a quick four tricks. In practice, such leads are common in this game – note that opening up any of the other three suits would only be of benefit to declarer.

In Hand 3 it is possible that North-South bid (South first): 1♠ – 2♥ – 2♠ – 4♠. Now West can envisage a dummy with long Hearts – a source of tricks for declarer. That suggests that South’s losers may be discarded on the long Hearts – in such a case the watchword should be: Attack! Here, it may very well be the case that East-West need to grab four tricks early before the rats get at them.

To do that, West may well think of leading a low card away from an honour (the ♣K) hoping that his partner has something useful in the suit and that the defence can take some tricks there.

In the following two pages we give you a series of examples to illustrate the ways that you may think as a defender on opening lead. Don’t be despondent if you get some, most or even all of them wrong – this area of the game is a real bear-garden. A top player has a much-repeated phrase when things go pear-shaped after an unsuccessful opening lead, “Never blame a man for his opening leads”.

Let’s put it another way: You can’t win ‘em all!

Page S §28.2


1. Short-suit leads.

These are leads from singletons or doubletons where the very simple idea is to try to take a ruff or two. It is an under-appreciated rule that it is unrewarding to lead shortages when you have a good hand. Conversely, the worse the hand, the better a shortage lead is.

As ever, you are South. Study the bidding and decide on your opening lead.

Ex 1. N W E

S West North East South ♠ 6 1♥ Pass

♥ 5 3 2 2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass

♦ 7 6 5 3 4♥ Pass Pass Pass

♣ 9 8 6 3 2

Lead the ♠6. You have muck, so the only hope of beating 4♥ is to take a ruff or two. Lead your singleton and hope partner has the ♠A and an entry somewhere. If not, then 4♥ will be making easily.

Ex 2. N W E

S West North East South ♠ 9 4 1♥ Pass

♥ 6 5 3 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass

♦ J 9 7 4 Pass Pass

♣ J 7 5 2

Lead the ♠9. Desperation measures again. North is unlikely to have four tricks in his own hand, so you’ll have to conjure up a ruff somehow. Lead the higher card from a doubleton, hoping North has the ♠A K.

Ex 3. N

W E S West North East South ♠ A 8 6 1♠ Pass

♥ Q 8 5 2 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass


♣ 8 4

Lead the ♣8. Nothing is at all attractive on this hand and anything could be right. Maybe it’s right to try for a Club ruff by leading your shortage. As ever, when leading a doubleton lead the higher card.

Ex 4. N

W E S West North East South ♠ K 9 7 6 3 1♥ Pass

♥ 9 4 2♥ Pass 4♥ Pass


♣ J 10

Lead the ♣J. A bid of a two-way shot here as the Jack from J 10 is sort of a sequence lead (a micro-sequence, if you like). It may establish a Club trick for North, it may just pave the way for a Club ruff.

2. Sequence leads.

Sequence leads are, in general, desirable leads They are safe in that they never open up frozen suits and they are constructive in that they often develop tricks. Into this category comes the desirable lead of the Ace from an Ace-King combination. American Barry Crane (1927 – 1985) a Hollywood television producer (Mission Impossible, Wonder Woman and the like) and, as a bridge player, the winner of the most American master-points ever at the time of his death came up with a memorable rule:

“God dealt you an Ace-King combination so you wouldn’t have a problem with your opening lead”.

Ex 5. N W E

S West North East South ♠ 10 8 1♠ Pass

♥ A K 9 6 3 2♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♦ 10 9 7 Pass Pass

♣ J 6 5

Lead the ♥A. Barry Crane’s rule. This enables you to have a look at dummy by cashing a top Heart. You keep control of Hearts as you still have the ♥K. After seeing dummy it may be clear what to do next.

Ex 6. N W E

S West North East South ♠ A 8 6 5 3 1♥ Pass

♥ 8 6 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass

♦ Q 9 4 Pass Pass

♣ J 10 9

Lead the ♣J. This is both safe and constructive. It doesn’t matter than you only have three cards in the suit – it isn’t essential to lead from length against a suit contract. A low Spade lead is a real no-no.

Ex 7. N W E

S West North East South ♠ J 10 8 1♥ Pass

♥ Q J 4 2♥ Pass Pass Pass

♦ Q 9 7 4

♣ K 8 3

Lead the ♠J. You have nothing good to lead from in the other suits, so a Spade is better than anything else. Suits that are near-sequences (K Q 10, Q J 9 and so on) are treated as sequences. Lead the top.

Ex 8. N W E

S West North East South ♠ J 8 1NT Pass 4♠ Pass

♥ Q 9 7 3 Pass Pass

♦ 10 9 8

♣ J 8 7 2

Lead the ♦10. When in doubt, it’s best to lead from a sequence. Opening up Hearts or Clubs might open up a can of worms instead. Second choice is the ♥3; a Club from ♣J × × × is a horrible option.

Page S §28.3


3. Passive leads.

These are leads made from rubbishy suits in order to avoid opening up other suits which may be frozen. Into this category come trump leads.

Ex 9. N

W E S West North East South ♠ Q 9 1♥ Pass

♥ Q 10 6 1♠ Pass 2♦ Pass

♦ K J 7 5 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass

♣ 9 7 5 2 Pass Pass

Lead the ♣7. Best to lead the unbid suit. A red suit lead is repulsive after South has bid them both. With trashy Clubs you lead the 2nd highest (lead high for hate) to say you don’t want them led back.

Ex 10. N

W E S West North East South ♠ 9 8 5 1♥ Pass

♥ K J 7 2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass

♦ K J 8 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass

♣ A 10 3 2 Pass Pass

Lead the ♠8. Nothing appears to be any better after this auction, so you should lead passively. Again, try the 2nd highest from a poor suit. However, here you’ll play the ♠9 next. (MUD: Middle-Up-Down).

Ex 11. N W E

S West North East South ♠ 9 7 3 1♠ Pass

♥ A 10 8 2♣ Pass 2♦ Pass

♦ K J 2♠ Pass Pass Pass

♣ A 8 6 4 2

Lead the ♠3. Why lead a trump? Well, for a start, everything else is ghastly as an opening lead (what would you suggest?) and, secondly, a trump may cut down on ruffs in the dummy. When leading trumps, you should always lead your lowest card.

Ex 12. N W E

S West North East South ♠ K J 7 5 4 1♥ 1♠

♥ A K 2♣ Pass 2NT Pass

♦ 8 7 5 3 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass

♣ 9 2 Pass Pass

Lead the ♦7. The 2nd highest from a poor suit (when leading from tripe lead high for hate). East has shown a willingness to play in No-trumps, so probably has good Spades. There’s no point in leading Clubs (you don’t want a ruff with the ♥A K).

4. Attacking leads.

These are leads (generally the fourth-highest card), from broken suits headed by honours, hoping that partner can fill in the gaps. Attacking leads (lead low for like) are made on hands where you think that you have to develop your tricks quickly, before losers get thrown away. Also, you can often find yourself with nothing else but broken suits to lead from.

Ex 13. N W E

S West North East South ♠ 5 1♠ Pass

♥ A 9 6 5 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♦ K 8 7 3 Pass Pass

♣ K 10 4 2

Lead the ♣2. A nasty choice but you have to do something. A singleton trump is usually a no-no (it often wrecks partner’s holding in the suit), keep away from Hearts (don’t underlead Aces against a suit contract), so it’s between Diamonds and Clubs. Your Clubs are stronger, so try one of those.

Ex 14. N W E

S West North East South ♠ 2 1♠ Pass

♥ K 10 4 3 2♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♦ Q 10 5 2 Pass Pass

♣ J 7 5 3

Lead the ♦2. Very difficult. Anything might be right. In general, avoid leading a singleton trump (cf Q13). Also, leads from Jacks frequently open up frozen suits. Leads from Queens are usually less dangerous than leads from Kings. On that basis, try a low Diamond. Anything could be right, though.

Ex 15. N W E

S West North East South ♠ K 9 1♠ Pass

♥ 7 6 5 3 2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass

♦ K J 8 5 4♠ Pass Pass Pass

♣ 9 7 3

Lead the ♦5. The bidding shows that dummy (West) has a decent Heart suit that may well provide a source of tricks and, therefore, discards for East’s losers. Try a low Diamond lead, hoping partner has the ♦A or ♦Q and that the defenders can get at some tricks quickly before the rats get at them.

Ex 16. N W E

S West North East South ♠ 8 6 1♠ Pass

♥ 9 6 4 3 2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass

♦ K 10 3 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♣ Q 7 5 2 Pass Pass

Lead the ♦3. Not only is this the unbid suit (often a decent choice as an opening lead) but you have nothing in your hand to worry East (the Hearts and your ♣Q look well placed – for declarer). Try to get some Diamond tricks quickly before East-West’s Diamonds get thrown away, probably on Hearts.

Page S §28.4

§28. Quiz A on Opening Leads (Suit Contracts).

1. 2.

West North East South West North East South

1♠ Pass 1♥ Pass

♠ 10 6 4 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass ♠ 9 8 2♥ Pass 4♥ Pass

♥ 2 Pass Pass ♥ 5 4 2 Pass Pass

♦ Q 9 6 5 3 ♦ Q 7 6 4

♣ J 9 7 4 ♣ Q 9 7 2

3. 4.


1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass

♠ 9 8 2♥ Pass 4♥ Pass ♠ 10 8 5 3♠ Pass Pass Pass

♥ 5 4 2 Pass Pass ♥ J 9

♦ K Q J 9 ♦ J 8 5

♣ Q 10 8 7 ♣ A K 8 7 4

5. 6.


1♠ Pass 1♠ Pass

♠ Q J 10 2♠ Pass Pass Pass ♠ 6 5 3 2♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♥ K 10 5 3 ♥ Q J 10 Pass Pass

♦ J 9 7 6 2 ♦ J 9 6 5 2

♣ J ♣ A 3

7. 8.


1♠ Pass 1♥ Pass

♠ 9 8 3 2♠ Pass Pass Pass ♠ K 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass

♥ A 10 5 3 ♥ Q 9 8 Pass Pass

♦ J ♦ Q J 9 7

♣ Q 9 7 6 2 ♣ 10 8 7 6 4

9. 10.*


1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass

♠ A 10 9 2♥ Pass 4♥ Pass ♠ 9 8 7 5 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♥ A 5 3 Pass Pass ♥ 2 Pass Pass

♦ J 7 6 2 ♦ A Q 8 3

♣ Q 6 5 ♣ K Q J 9

What is the best lead against East's contract after the straightforward auctions given below?

In each case you are South

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W E

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Opening Leads against Suit Contracts. www.vubridge.com © Paul Bowyer 2018

Page S §28.5

§28. Quiz A on Opening Leads (Suit Contracts).

1. 2.


1♠ Pass 1♥ Pass

♠ 10 6 4 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass ♠ 9 8 2♥ Pass 4♥ Pass

♥ 2 Pass Pass ♥ 5 4 2 Pass Pass

♦ Q 9 6 5 3 ♦ Q 7 6 4♣ J 9 7 4 ♣ Q 9 7 2

3. 4.


Pass 1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass

♠ 9 8 2♥ Pass 4♥ ♠ 10 8 5 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass♥ 5 4 2 ♥ J 9♦ K Q J 9 ♦ J 8 5♣ Q 10 8 7 ♣ A K 8 7 4

5. 6.


1♠ Pass 1♠ Pass

♠ Q J 10 2♠ Pass Pass Pass ♠ 6 5 3 2♠ Pass Pass Pass

♥ K 10 5 3 ♥ Q J 10 Pass Pass

♦ J 9 7 6 2 ♦ J 9 6 5 2♣ J ♣ A 3

7. 8.


1♠ Pass 1♥ Pass

♠ 9 8 3 2♠ Pass Pass Pass ♠ K 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass

♥ A 10 5 3 ♥ Q 9 8♦ J ♦ Q J 9 7♣ Q 9 7 6 2 ♣ 10 8 7 6 4

9. 10.


1♥ Pass 1♠ Pass

♠ A 10 9 2♥ Pass 4♥ Pass ♠ 9 8 7 5 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♥ A 5 3 ♥ 2 Pass Pass

♦ J 7 6 2 ♦ A Q 8 3♣ Q 6 5 ♣ K Q J 9

The ♥3. You have a revolting selection to lead from

with leads in all suits other than trumps likely to open

up frozen suits . In these cases a trump lead may prove

safest. When leading trumps, lead the lowest card. A

look at dummy might tell you how to defend later.

The ♣K. This is not the time to lead a singleton. Why?

For a number of reasons. One is that you have a

superb sequence lead in Clubs. Another is that North

has nothing – how might you put him on lead for Heart

ruffs? Make East ruff Clubs and attack his trumps.

Answers

The ♥2. Lead your singleton, hoping for a Heart ruff (or

even two). You have a ghastly collection of old tat, so it

is not too unreasonable to hope that partner has the

♥A and an entry in another suit. This way it is possible

that you might take the first four tricks against 4♠.

The ♠9. The opponents have sailed into game and you

seem to have little to suggest that they won’t make it.

In these cases the only real chance seems to be to

play for a ruff. Try the short-suit lead of a Spade and

hope that you are able to get a third round ruff.

The ♦K. Now (cf Q2) you have too good a hand to think

that partner has enough to be able to give you a Spade

ruff. Also, you have a very attractive sequence lead in

Diamonds. Leading the ♦K will set up some tricks

immediately and is safe , as are all sequence leads.

The ♣A. Barry Crane’s rule: “God dealt you an Ace-

King so you wouldn’t have a problem with your

opening lead ”. Opening lead problems don’t come

much more straightforward than this – you may be able

to see what to do at trick two after dummy is displayed.

The ♠Q. Why lead a trump? Well, it’s safe (it can’t

open up a frozen suit ) and also you have nothing

better to do. A singleton Club, you say? But you don’t

want to ruff as you have a sure trump trick. Also, a

trump lead may reduce dummy's capacity for ruffing.

The ♥Q. When you are fortunate to have been dealt a

sequence that should be your first port of call for an

opening lead. The ♣A (hoping for a third round ruff)

would be a poor choice – the Ace from A × is an

undeservedly popular lead with a low success rate.

Avoid it.

The ♦J. Now,by contrast with Q5, you are quite in order

to look for a Diamond ruff or two. You shouldn't lead

shortages when you have good trumps as you will

make tricks with them anyway, but you are quite in

order to try to make some tricks with low ones.

The ♦Q. Unwise to lead the singleton ♠K. Firstly, the

King is too valuable to waste and, secondly, you

shouldn't be playing for ruffs. You are likely to make a

trump trick anyway, so should sit tight and wait. Q J 9 ×

counts as a sequence, so best is to lead the top card.

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Page S §28.6

§28. Quiz B on Opening Leads (Suit Contracts).

1. 2.


1NT Pass 2♥ Pass 1♠ Pass

♠ 9 8 5 Pass Pass ♠ J 8 2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass

♥ Q 10 6 ♥ Q 9 7 6 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♦ J 8 5 2 ♦ J 7 5 4 Pass Pass

♣ K J 10 ♣ K Q 5

3. 4.


1♠ Pass 1♠ Pass

♠ 9 2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass ♠ K Q 8 4 2♣ Pass 2♠ Pass

♥ 10 9 8 7 5 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass ♥ Q 9 Pass Pass

♦ K J 9 2 Pass Pass ♦ 9 7 2

♣ K 10 2 ♣ J 10 5 3

5. 6.


1♠ 2♣ 2♥ Pass 1♣ 1♦ 1♠ Pass

♠ 10 9 8 7 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass ♠ 8 7 4 2♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♥ 8 7 4 Pass Pass ♥ J 10 9 8 Pass Pass

♦ J 10 9 8 ♦ K 4 2

♣ J 3 ♣ J 8 6

7. 8.


1♠ 2♥ Pass 1♣ 1♦ 1♠ Pass

♠ K 6 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass ♠ 8 7 4 2♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♥ 5 2 Pass Pass ♥ J 10 9 8 Pass Pass

♦ 6 5 3 2 ♦ A 4 2

♣ 10 7 6 4 3 ♣ J 8 6

9. 10.*


1♠ 2♥ Pass 1♣ 1♥ 1♠ Pass

♠ 8 7 2 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass ♠ 10 8 2 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♥ 5 2 Pass Pass ♥ None Pass Pass

♦ J 10 9 5 ♦ 10 8 6 5 3

♣ J 10 7 3 ♣ Q J 9 6 3

What is the best lead against East's contract after the auctions given below?

In each case you are South

N

W E

S

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Page S §28.7

§28. Quiz B on Opening Leads (Suit Contracts).

1. 2.


1NT Pass 2♥ Pass 1♠ Pass

♠ 9 8 5 Pass Pass ♠ J 8 2♦ Pass 2♥ Pass

♥ Q 10 6 ♥ Q 9 7 6 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♦ J 8 5 2 ♦ J 7 5 4 Pass Pass

♣ K J 10 ♣ K Q 5

3. 4.


1♠ Pass 1♠ Pass

♠ 9 2♣ Pass 2♥ Pass ♠ K Q 8 4 2♣ Pass 2♠ Pass♥ 10 9 8 7 5 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass ♥ Q 9 Pass Pass♦ K J 9 2 Pass Pass ♦ 9 7 2♣ K 10 2 ♣ J 10 5 3

5. 6.


1♠ 2♣ 2♥ Pass 1♣ 1♦ 1♠ Pass

♠ 10 9 8 7 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass ♠ 8 7 4 2♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♥ 8 7 4 Pass Pass ♥ J 10 9 8 Pass Pass

♦ J 10 9 8 ♦ K 4 2♣ J 3 ♣ J 8 6

7. 8.


1♠ 2♥ Pass 1♣ 1♦ 1♠ Pass

♠ K 6 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass ♠ 8 7 4 2♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♥ 5 2 Pass Pass ♥ J 10 9 8 Pass Pass

♦ 6 5 3 2 ♦ A 4 2♣ 10 7 6 4 3 ♣ J 8 6

9. 10.


1♠ 2♥ Pass 1♣ 1♥ 1♠ Pass

♠ 8 7 2 3♥ Pass 4♥ Pass ♠ 10 8 2 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass

♥ 5 2 Pass Pass ♥ None Pass Pass

♦ J 10 9 5 ♦ 10 8 6 5 3♣ J 10 7 3 ♣ Q J 9 6 3

The ♠7. Once again you should lead partner's suit and

ignore your superficially attractive Diamond sequence.

From three tatty cards you lead the second-highest,

intending to play the highest card next. This sequence

revels in the name of MUD (Middle – Up – Down).

The ♦8. You'd love to lead partner's suit, but natural

causes prevent that. So, you lead the unbid suit, with

the ♦8 showing no interest in it. Partner should stroke

his beard and ask himself why you have made such an

unconstructive lead and realise you have no Hearts.

Answers

The ♠8. It looks best to find a passive Spade lead on

this hand rather than open up another suit. Leading

from a Jack can often open up a frozen suit and there

can be no rush to set up tricks when defending a

modest part-score. Lead the second-highest from tripe.

The ♣K. You have little better to do than try the unbid

suit here – everything else is revolting. It is normal to

treat these three-card combinations as though they

were sequences, so we lead the King from K Q ×, the

Queen from Q J ×, the Jack from J 10 × and so on.

The ♦2. East-West have bid confidently to game and it

looks as though the Clubs and Hearts may lie well for

them. In such cases the defenders have to grab what

they can early in the hand. So, the aim is to try to pick

up a Diamond trick or two before the rats get at them.

The ♦7. You don’t want to lead a Club after West has

bid them, there is no basis for a trump lead and a Heart

from the ♥Q 9 looks likely to open up something nasty.

Probably best is to defend passively by leading from

rubbish. Lead the second-highest card from trash.

The ♣J. Partner bid 'em – he must want 'em led. The

“rules” for overcalling differ from opening the bidding,

but having a good suit is a sine qua non . Without

partner’s overcall you would have led the ♦J. Now you

must lead his suit; the higher card from a doubleton.

The ♦2. Without partner’s 1♦ overcall you would have

led a Heart. Now that North has overcalled you should

lead his suit. Wrong to lead the ♦K (as some would);

that would show a doubleton and partner might get the

defence wrong. Lead low from three to an honour.

The ♠K. Partner opened the bidding here, not

overcalled, but you should still respect him and lead his

suit. As ever, you should lead the higher card from a

doubleton. With luck, partner has the ♠A and you will

be able to manoeuvre a third-round Spade ruff.

The ♦A. Yes, it is normal to lead a low card from three

to an honour (cf Q6 above) but that rule is superseded

by the one that says, "Do not underlead Aces against

suit contracts". So, we do respect partner's overcall by

leading his suit, but we are obliged to lead the Ace.

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Page S §28.8

Opening Leads Against Suit Contracts V-Blue Y1 Issue 22 © Paul Bowyer 2018

§28. Example hands 1 to 4.

Hand 1 Love all, dealer North

♠ A K 10 6 2♥ 7 K J 8 4♣ K Q 5

♠ Q N ♠ 8 5 3♥ Q 5 3

W E ♥ 10 8 6 4 2

A 7 6 5 3 2♣ A 9 4 2 S ♣ J 8 7 3

♠ J 9 7 4♥ A K J 9 Q 10 9♣ 10 6

West North East South 1♠ Pass 3♠

Pass 4♠ All Pass

4♠ by North Opening lead: ♦2

We start with a (relatively) easy defence. North-South bid to the Spade game with an unrevealing bidding sequence – what should East lead? Well, with a hopeless hand, East should try his singleton Diamond – the only hope being to get some Diamond ruffs. Note that West rates to have a decent hand – if he held nothing, North-South would be in a higher contract than a mere 4♠. After the Diamond lead West can take the Ace, give his partner a ruff at trick two, gain the lead with the ♣A and give East a second Diamond ruff. Can West Read the Lead? Maybe, maybe not, but there are few other choices at trick two than returning a Diamond – how else are East-West to get four tricks?

Hand 2 North-South game, dealer East

♠ 2♥ 10 9 5 3 Q 10 8 6 3♣ 8 6 2

♠ J 8 7 4 N ♠ K Q 10 9 6♥ Q 7

W E ♥ K J

K J 7 4 A 9 5♣ A 5 3 S ♣ K 7 4

♠ A 5 3♥ A 8 6 4 2 2♣ Q J 10 9

West North East South 1♠ Pass

3♠ Pass 4♠ All Pass

4♠ by East Opening lead: ♣Q

Compare and contrast. South is on lead against 4♠ bid in familiar style by East-West. What should he do? Well, with a hand almost worth an opening bid, South should appreciate that North has nothing – or even less. There is no chance that North has the ♦A, so a singleton lead is pointless. It is a truism that the weaker your hand is, the better a shortage lead is. Conversely, the stronger your hand is, the more pointless a shortage lead becomes. Here, a top-of-a-sequence Club allows North-South the tempo to set up two Aces and a Club trick. Declarer has to lose a Diamond in the wash for one down. A Diamond lead, on which dummy played low, would allow East to establish a slow Diamond trick for a Club discard.

Hand 3 East-West game, dealer South

♠ 10 6 3♥ 9 6 J 7 6 2♣ 9 8 5 3

♠ A K Q 7 4 N ♠ J 8 5 2♥ 7 5 2

W E ♥ K J 10

A 9 Q 10 5 4♣ K Q 10 S ♣ A 6

♠ 9♥ A Q 8 4 3 K 8 3♣ J 7 4 2

West North East South Pass

1♠ Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠ Pass Pass Pass

4♠ by West Opening lead: ♥9

Another 1♠ – 3♠ – 4♠ auction. Right, North – it’s your lead. Well, with a hopeless hand the best shot is a shortage lead – in this case that’s the doubleton Heart. When holding a fistful of tripe it’s far from unlikely that partner has decent cards, so South may well have the ♥A K, or, perhaps, the ♥A and the ♠A. Either way, North may well be able to manoeuvre a trick with his load of bus tickets via a Heart ruff. Here, a well-placed ♥A Q enables South to take the first two tricks and play a third Heart to give North a ruff. As long as North doesn’t open up the Diamonds (which are frozen) but leads a black card at trick four, West has to lose a Diamond trick for one down.

Hand 4 Game all, dealer West

♠ 8 2♥ K 7 6 2 Q 5 3♣ Q 10 9 4

♠ K J 6 4 3 N ♠ 10 9 7♥ Q 10 9

W E ♥ 5

10 9 8 K J 7 6♣ 8 6 S ♣ A 7 5 3 2

♠ A Q 5♥ A J 8 4 3 A 4 2♣ K J

West North East South Pass Pass Pass 1♥ Pass 2♥ Pass 4♥

4♥ by South Opening lead: ♦10

It’s a relief to get an auction that’s not 1♠ – 3♠ – 4♠. However, 1♥ – 2♥ – 4♥ is no easier for West to hear as it tells him little other than South has a good hand. What should he lead? There’s no need to lead a Spade (a good lead against No-trumps, not so good against a suit contract), a trump is suicidal and a Club is pointless (holding ♥Q 10 9 there is little point in seeking a Club ruff). When holding a sequence it is generally best to lead it, on the grounds that it gives the enemy nothing. The ♦10 actually does more than “give ‘em nowt” here. The favourable lie of the suit allows East-West to set up two tricks immediately; declarer has to lose a Heart and a Club as well (and maybe a Spade). One (or two) off.

Page S §28.9

Opening Leads Against Suit Contracts V-Blue Y1 Issue 22 © Paul Bowyer 2018

§28. Example hands 5 to 8.

Hand 5 North-South game, dealer North

♠ K J 9 3 ♥ 9 8 4 K 10 7 ♣ A 6 2 ♠ 7 6 4 N ♠ 5 ♥ A 5 2

W E ♥ Q J 10 6 3

J 6 4 Q 8 3 2 ♣ K 9 7 5 S ♣ J 10 4 ♠ A Q 10 8 2 ♥ K 7 A 9 5 ♣ Q 8 3

West North East South Pass Pass 1♠

Pass 3♠ Pass 4♠

4♠ by South Opening lead: ♠4

We return to particularly unhelpful auctions here with the now-familiar route to 4♠. Your lead, West. With a barrel full of rotten apples to choose from, West should lead a trump. There are two reasons that a trump lead may prove effective. One is that it may reduce declarer’s capacity for taking ruffs on table (see Hand 8). The other is that it removes West from the obligation of having to make the first move (so to speak) and forces South to make all the running. Left to his own devices declarer has a rotten time here, with two Heart losers, a Diamond loser and two Club losers. Were West to lead a plain suit he’d concede a trick immediately. In defence against 4♠ you have to take four tricks, not necessarily four fast tricks.

Hand 6 East-West game, dealer East

♠ 9 ♥ 10 7 6 3 A 9 7 3 2 ♣ Q 10 3 ♠ K Q 3 N ♠ A J 10 8 5 2 ♥ K Q 9 8 4

W E ♥ J

K 8 Q 10 5 ♣ J 8 4 S ♣ A 6 2 ♠ 7 6 4 ♥ A 5 2 J 6 4 ♣ K 9 7 5

West North East South 1♠ Pass

2♥ Pass 2♠ Pass 4♠ Pass Pass Pass

4♠ by East Opening lead: ♣5

Compare and contrast the South hand here and the West cards of Hand 1. Here, East indicates long Spades and West long Hearts (as well as Spade support). When there are long suits about (especially long side-suits) there is a danger that declarer’s losers will get dumped. Here, for example, declarer would welcome a trump lead as he’d win and play on Hearts. With the ♥A out of the way the road would be clear to pitch losers on the ♥K Q, making a lot of tricks. In these circumstances defenders should attack by leading their best suit, hoping to take fast tricks before the rats get at them. A low Club lead allows North-South to take two Clubs and two Aces.

Hand 7 Game all, dealer South

♠ K J 2 ♥ A 6 5 10 9 8 ♣ 10 9 8 6 ♠ Q 4 N ♠ 9 8 3 ♥ 7

W E ♥ K Q 10 9 4

A Q J 6 5 K 7 4 2 ♣ A Q J 7 3 S ♣ K ♠ A 10 7 6 5 ♥ J 8 3 2 3 ♣ 5 4 2

West North East South Pass

1♦ Pass 1♥ Pass 2♣ Pass 3♦ Pass 5♦ Pass Pass Pass

5♦ by West Opening lead: ♠2

A deal with echoes of Hand 6. East-West bid confidently to 5♦ and North has to lead – what should he do? Well, dummy is likely to present with long Hearts and West is likely to have a pronounced two-suiter (no one tried No-trumps, after all). With long suits about it is important to grab what’s going quickly, and that means leading the unbid suit, Spades. From a broken honour combination it is right to lead a low card – the Two. South takes the ♠A and returns the suit – once two Spades are cashed the ♥A is sure to take a trick. On a passive lead dummy’s Spades would disappear rapidly on West’s Clubs.

Hand 8 Love all, dealer West

♠ K J 9 8 5 ♥ A 8 4 2 ♣ K Q 10 5 ♠ 7 6 4 3 N ♠ A Q 10 ♥ Q 7

W E ♥ K 10 5 3

K Q 6 3 10 9 8 ♣ A 6 4 S ♣ 8 7 2 ♠ 2 ♥ J 9 6 2 A J 7 5 4 ♣ J 9 3

West North East South Pass 1♠ Pass 1NT Pass 2♣ All Pass

2♣ by North Opening lead: ♣2

After the excitement of the previous seven game contracts comes a prosaic part-score. However, this is a common situation and there is an important lesson here. North opens 1♠ and his rebid of 2♣ is Passed out by a weak responding hand (South). What can dummy have? Well, pronounced Spade shortage – that’s a certainty. If South held any semblance of Spade support he’d have given preference to 2♠. It’s no surprise then to see dummy appear with a singleton Spade and that North’s plan is to ruff his Spades on table. The counterplay? Lead trumps! A Club lead to the ♣A and a trump return, followed by a third trump lead when on lead with a Spade, reduces dummy to rubble. 2♣ must fail now.

Page S §28.10

§28. opening leads against suit contracts

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