When to lead a trump? by linda j green

When do we lead a trump?
a.When declarer is playing in his second suit or his third bid suit- cut down dummy's ruffing power.
b. When we are long in their first bid suit and aware they may cross-ruff the hand as dummy is rated to be short in the first suit.
c. When we hold all the remaining HCP and partner has zero points. In other words lead passively so as not to give the declarer a trick.
d. When we do not want to lead from unsupported Aces that do not have a partner like the King.

When we do NOT lead a trump?
a. Do not lead a singleton trump giving declarer the free finesse not knowing the trumps will not divide favorably e.g. 2/2
b. When responder does not support the opener's suit at any level showing a misfit.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - As south what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
Pass	1♥	Pass	1♠
Pass	4♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: 8♠. When 3 suits are bid and you are long in the 1st suit , lead a trump to prevent the diamond losers from being ruffed with the spade suit in dummy. An unsupported Ace♣ is not a good idea- Avoid "Aces from Spaces".

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - AS South what suit do you lead according to the bidding?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1NT
Pass	2♦*	Pass	2♥
Pass	4♥**	Pass	Pass
Pass

* Transfer to hearts
** A six-card suit.

A: 9♥. You have too many points to expect partner to have anything. Leading a trump and being passive is the way to go to prevent giving tricks to declarer.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - As South what suit do you lead?

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

A: 3♣. When the opponents do not have a fit a singleton trump or leading an unsupported Ace without the King is not a good idea.
Leading a diamond may give a free trick if declarer is void.
With no alternative a club lead is best hoping for one of two cards missing A or Q.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A 3 2
♥ K J 4 3
♦ 9 8 2
♣ J 5 4

Q: 4 - As South what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
Pass	2♣	Pass	2♥
Pass	2NT	Pass	3♠
Pass	4♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: 2♠. When declarer shows a 6-4 shape and denies playing in a NT contract leading a trump away from the Ace of trumps is a good idea holding length in the second bid suit.
Do not lead the Ace trumps. Leading away from the Ace allows partner to still have 1 trump and return the suit so as to clear the trumps 3 times. Should you lead the Ace and another and partner gains the lead ,with no trump left partner cannot return the 3rd round of trumps.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ Q J 8 7
♥ 7 6
♦ J 10
♣ Q J 4 3

Q: 5 - As South what suit do you lead?

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

A: 7♥. When declarer shows 6♣ and 5♥ and you are long in the 1st suit bid, a trump lead will prevent declarer from trumping the club suit in dummy.

Your result so far:

Open Question

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