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 Defensive opening leads by linda j green

The opening lead is of the utmost importance when it comes to being a good defender.

About half the time you and your partner will be the defenders. Your objective is to defeat the contract played by the declarer. This requires an understanding of the basic techniques and standard agreements of defensive card play. You and partner must work together as a team.

There is no specific rule that applies to every deal. The most important clue in choosing an opening lead is the bidding.

Question 1

  Your Hand
♠ K 7 2
♥ A J 8 6 5
♦ 9 8 7 2
♣ 5 		 
Q: 1 - As South which suit do you lead ?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1NT
Pass2♣*Pass2♠
Pass3NTPassPass
Pass


* Stayman, asks for a 4-card major.

 Your choice:
A: 8♦ - Listen to the bidding! Responder shows a 4-card heart suit by returning to 3NT therefore one must choose an alternative lead. Do NOT lead a low diamond. This promises an honor. Lead a high diamond to show partner that you do not want the suit returned should partner gain the lead later.

Your result so far:
Open Question

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Question 2

  Your Hand
♠ A K 7
♥ J 2
♦ 10 9 8 3
♣ Q 10 9 2 		 
Q: 2 - As South which suit and card do you lead?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1♥
Pass2♥Pass4♥
PassPassPass


 Your choice:
A: A♠ - When holding an outside Ace and King of a suit, it is suggestive to show partner where you have values. We lead Ace from ace/king. It is best to look at dummy before making a second choice. It is unwise to lead an unsupported Ace (not having a partner). Avoid leading "Aces from spaces".

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
♠ A 7 6
♥ Q J 9 3
♦ A 8 7 5 2
♣ 4 		 
Q: 3 - As South which suit do you lead and which card?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1NT
Pass2♣*Pass2♦
Pass3NTPassPass
Pass


* Stayman - asking for a 4-card major

 Your choice:
A: Q♥ - Are you listening to the bidding? When declarer denies a 4-card major, the hand usually has the minors. Avoid leading minors on this auction. Lead a major. When one card is missing (the 10) this is considered a sequence. Lead the top.

Same situation if holding the J1083 (the 9) is missing. Lead the Jack as it is a sequence.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
♠ K Q 7 4
♥ 8 7
♦ A 9 7 6 2
♣ 5 3 		 
Q: 4 - As South what suit and which card do you lead?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1NT
Pass3NTPassPass
Pass


 Your choice:
A: 4♠ - The opponents did not use the Stayman Convention looking for a 4-card major. They most probably have the minors.
As there are only 2 honors in the spade suit we lead the 4th highest. There are no intermediate cards in the spade suit to suggest a higher card lead.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
♠ A Q 10 2
♥ 10 8 6 3
♦ 9 4
♣ Q 7 3 		 
Q: 5 - As South what suit and which card do you lead?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1♦
Pass3♦PassPass
Pass


 Your choice:
A: 8♥ - We are NOT allowed to lead "Aces from Spaces" (an Ace without the King). We lead the second highest heart as a low heart would suggest an honor and the ten is not an honor. The second card to play is a low card in Hearts. This shows partner 2 or 4 hearts in that suit. However, if partner is awake and gains the lead, knowing that a high card is not encouraging, will return the weakest suit on the table, and hopefully lead spades to capture declarer's honors in the hand to try and defeat the contract.

Your result so far:
Open Question

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