Leads against 3NT - Competitive bidding by Matthias Huberschwiller

Your side has bid one or several suits and the opponents are playing in 3 Notrump. This mean they have stoppers in your suits.

So, do you lead your suit, or else?

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - As West, what is your lead?

South	West	North	East
-	1♥	Double	Pass
3 Notrump	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♥6 - Although South has Heart stopper(s), it is from your better and longer suit that you may have tricks.

Dummy will have Spades and any little from partner in Hearts will help you setting up that suit, therefore lead your 4th best.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A J 9 5 2
♥ A 10 7 6 2
♦ K 3
♣ 7

Q: 2 - Sitting West, what do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	1♠	2♣	Pass
3 Notrump	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♥6 - You know from the bidding that your opponents have sound Spade stopper(s).

Since you are lucky enough to have another unbid 5 carder, there are more chances to set it up than Spades.

Lead your 4th best in Hearts.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K 10 5 3 2
♥ 7 3 2
♦ 7 6 4
♣ 8 2

Q: 3 - Sitting West, what do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
1 Notrump	Pass	3 Notrump	Pass
Pass	Pass

A: ♠3 - Partner's 1♣ opening doesn't promise a true suit.

Your own Spade suit is more tempting, especially when nobody has bid it! Lead your 4th best Spade.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - Sitting West, what is your lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♦	1♠
2 Notrump	Pass	3 Notrump	Pass
Pass	Pass

A: ♠7 - Bidding just after the opener, your partner promised a good Spade suit. But the opponents said they don't fear Spades.

A Heart lead could be tempting, but your suit is really faint and you have no means of getting back on lead.

Lead your partner suit, precisely the 7 to show an even number.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 9
♥ A 6 2
♦ Q 9 6 4 3 2
♣ 6 3 2

Q: 5 - Sitting West, what is your lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	2♥*
3 Notrump	Pass	Pass	Pass

* Modified Michael Cue-Bid: 5 Spades et 5 Clubs.

A: ♣2 - Your Diamond suit doesn't look good and partner won't have enough Diamonds to help you setup the suit.

Therefore you must lead for partner. The Club fit gives you good hopes to hit the jackpot and you lead the 2 to show an odd number.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

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