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 Short or long suit leads? by linda j green

How do you know when to lead a short suit verses a long suit on an opening lead?

There are many factors that can influence your decision according to your holding, or if we listen to the bidding. Here are a few situations to help you make these choices.

Question 1

  Your Hand
♠ K J 4 3
♥ 9 8 6
♦ K J 4 3 2
♣ 6 		 
Q: 1 - As South what suit do you lead?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1♠
Pass2♣Pass2♥
Pass4♠PassPass
Pass


 Your choice:
A: 3♦. When you hold a long trump suit - 4 or more leading from your longest suit works best. This is to force declarer to ruff in her hand once or twice and this can easily force declarer to lose control of a hand if playing in a 5/3 or 5/2 trump fit. A singleton lead is not a good idea holding natural trump tricks and give away the dummy's club distribution.

Your result so far:
Open Question

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Question 2

  Your Hand
♠ K Q 3 2
♥ A 2
♦ 9 8 7 6
♣ 8 7 4 		 
Q: 2 - As South what suit do you lead?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1♥
Pass1NTPass2♦
Pass3♦Pass3♥*
Pass4♥PassPass
Pass


* 6-card suit

 Your choice:
A: 9♦. As you have length in a suit that the opponents have bid and raised ,then your partner is surely short in that suit . Having a quick entry in the trump suit , you will be able to give partner a diamond ruff or two. The K♠ looks very attractive but listening to the bidding is of the utmost importance.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
♠ Q J 10
♥ 7
♦ J 10 8 7
♣ K Q 6 5 4 		 
Q: 3 - As South what suit do you lead?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1♠
Pass2♠Pass4♠
PassPassPass


 Your choice:
A: K♣. When you hold natural trump tricks leading a singleton is a waste of time. Leading the top of a sequence and telling partner where you have values is far more important. Timing is everything to try and get quick tricks before they may get discards on other suits.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
♠ 9 8 2
♥ Q J 4 3
♦ J 10 9 5 4
♣ 5 		 
Q: 4 - As South what suit do you lead?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1♠
Pass3♠Pass4NT
Pass5♥*Pass5NT
Pass6♦**Pass6♠
PassPassPass


* 2 Aces
** 1 King

 Your choice:
A: J♦ As the opponents have shown all 4 Aces by bidding for Kings your partner cannot have an Ace to give you a ruff. Do not lead a singleton and give away the distribution of the club suit.

Remember: One does not look for Kings if missing an Ace!

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
♠ 10 8 6
♥ Q 8 7 2
♦ A 6 5 4 3
♣ 8 		 
Q: 5 - As South what suit do you lead?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1♠
Pass3♠Pass4NT
Pass5♥Pass6♠
PassPassPass


 Your choice:
A: Ace♦. When you hold the missing Ace after looking for a slam do not lead a singleton as partner will not be able to give you a ruff. Leading an Ace especially a long suit partner may have a singleton for a ruff.
Conversely: If you do not hold an Ace then a singleton lead would definitely be correct hoping partner holds the missing Ace to give you a ruff!

Your result so far:
Open Question

Overall Results

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