Lead with Barry by Monika

LEADING PARTNER’S SUIT (OR A BID AND SUPPORTED SUIT).

There are no blind leads, only deaf players. A cliché yes, but even the most tired of clichés makes a grain of sense.

In this case when the partnership has bid a suit, or doubled a suit, or doubled the final contract, there may be anything from a small clue to the equivalent of a hammer-blow to the head.

Let’s see how strong you think the indications are here!

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ Q 9 6 4 2
♥ 9
♦ A J 6 2
♣ Q 10 4

Q: 1 - You are South. What do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	1♥
1♠	3♥	Pass	4♥
Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♣4 - You appear to have enough fire-power to set this game unless partner has opened light… and if he has, it is surely on the basis of a long club suit. So to protect against that, lead a low club at the first trick.
Incidentally if you were thinking of leading the club queen, wash your mouth out with soap and water – leading an honor in partner’s suit from a three-card holding went out with the ark!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 7 4
♥ K 8 3 2
♦ J 9 6 4
♣ Q 5 3

Q: 2 - You are South. What do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	1NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♥2 - On auctions of this sort, where partner has opened a minor and the next hand has overcalled one no-trump, simply lead fourth highest from your longest and strongest, here the heart two, rather than lead clubs.
One way of looking at this auction is that your RHO has shown clubs: your partner’s opening bid does not really show clubs on this auction – does it? So leading clubs is leading declarer’s suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A Q 7 4 2
♥ J 4
♦ J 5 2
♣ Q 6 2

Q: 3 - You are South. What do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	Pass	1♦
1♠	Double	2♠	3♥
Pass	4♥	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: ♣2 - Leading a spade and finding partner with the king will probably not be enough to set the game. My best guess would be to lead a club, and hope to hit partner’s strength, for an eventual spade switch through declarer’s king. In other words, if a spade lead ‘works’ it probably won’t set the hand. A passive heart lead might work, but an active club lead seems to me slightly more likely to do the trick.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 9 6
♥ K 7 3 2
♦ Q 9 7 5 2
♣ J 4

Q: 4 - You are South. What do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
Pass	1♠	Pass	2♣
Pass	3♠	Pass	3NT
Pass	Pass	Double	Pass
Pass	Pass

A: ♥2 - Your partner’s double here just suggests that the final contract will be going down – rather than a spade stack. There is no great hurry to lead spades; diamonds are not setting up for declarer. Leading your fourth highest heart will probably get your side’s best suit going.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - You are South. What do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♠	Pass
1NT	Double	Pass	2♥
Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♥4 - With dummy figuring to be short in spades, there is little advantage to leading a spade. Instead try a trump lead, planning to get in with one of the minors and continue the attack on trumps whenever you can. You know dummy will be able to over-ruff you in spades if given the chance.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

Rate yourself:

0 - 40%	We applaud your effort. Review the subject and try again. You'll be surprised how much better you'll do. We're here for you!!
41 - 50%	Buy your mentor a cuppa and ask for clarification on the ones you got wrong. No mentor? Make finding one a priority!
51 - 60%	Nice improvement! One more review and you'll have this down solid!
61 - 80%	What a good job! All that's left is some fine tuning
Over 80%	Wow! It's time for you to become a mentor. Find someone who needs help and share your knowledge!