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 Should we lead an Ace in a suit contract? by Linda Green

Should we lead aces? There are many circumstances whereby we should not lead an ace!

If partner did not overcall or opened the bidding one should NOT lead an Ace if not supported by the king. Ace's are meant to capture Kings. Do not lead Aces from spaces! Even though partner opened the bidding, one should not lead an unsupported ace, after all partner does not guarantee the King in that suit.

Exception: If partner overcalls a suit for a lead, then we lead the Ace from Ax or Axx. Do not lead away from an Ace in a suit contract.
With not much information from the bidding, try to avoid those suits if possible.

Question 1

  Your Hand
 8 4 3
 A 8 7
 J 10 9 5
 9 8 7
 
Q: 1 - As South what suit do you lead?
SouthWestNorthEast
--11
Pass4PassPass
Pass


 Your choice:
A: J - Partner did not promise the K. It is best to lead the top of a sequence. Let the declarer find tricks. Leading the Ace with 3 cards is not a good idea, as partner would expect a doubleton looking for a ruff.

Your result so far:
Open Question

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Question 2

  Your Hand
 A 7 6
 Q J 9 5
 10 9 6 3
 J 10
 
Q: 2 - As South what suit do you lead?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1
Pass113*
PassPassPass


* invitational - 6-card suit 15/16 hcp.

 Your choice:
A: A - When partner overcalls a suit, partner asks for that suit to be led, usually promising at least 2 of the top 3 or 4 honors and a minimum of a 5-card suit. Should you not lead the suit, they say your partner must get a new bridge partner!

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 9
 Q 6 5
 A 7 6 3
 J 10 8 3 2
 
Q: 3 - As South what suit do you lead ?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1
Pass2Pass3
Pass4Pass4NT
Pass5Pass6
PassPassPass


 Your choice:
A: A - As partner did not double the artificial bid of 5 one leads an Ace in a slam. One never knows if partner will have a trump trick. Sometimes dummy has a long suit giving many discards and one may never see the Ace as a trick again!


Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
 9 8 7
 Q 6 5
 A 5
 J 10 6 3 2
 
Q: 4 - As South what suit do you lead?
SouthWestNorthEast
--11
2234
PassPassPass


 Your choice:
A: 5 - Although it is tempting to lead the Ace diamonds in anticipation to get a ruff, leading partner's suit while you control the diamond suit is far better building a trick in hearts first.
One leads low to show an honor. If you had no honor and supported partner one leads high, eg. 962. After all, partner knows you had at least 3 cards.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 8 7
 A Q 7 6
 Q 4 3
 7 6 5 4
 
Q: 5 - As South what suit do you lead?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1
Pass1Pass1
Pass3Pass3
Pass4PassPass
Pass


 Your choice:
A: A - Declarer is showing a 6/5 shape, 6 clubs and 5 spades. They did not bid No Trump. One must lead the unbid suit, even holding the A-Q. As one knows 11 cards, the shape could either be 5-1-1-6 or 5-2-0-6 or 5-0-2-6. Before the Heart can disappear on a diamond, lead the Ace quickly.

Your result so far:
Open Question

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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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