Leads with a strong hand by Matthias Huberschwiller

A: ♠A – The “normal” lead would be the ♠Q, top of the inner sequence.

But as you know that you will get back on lead with a diamond, it is better to lead the ace and have a look at dummy before deciding what to lead at Trick Two.

If the dummy has 10-9-8-7 and declarer K-6, it would be a pity to give him two tricks in the suit.


Your result so far:

A: ♥K – Before leading your singleton diamond without thinking – Think! How could you get partner on lead for him to play a diamond for you to ruff? This is impossible given the strength of your hand!

You rather need to choose leading a heart, in order to establish a trick before declarer can discard a loser.


Your result so far:

A: ♠2 – What do you know about the hands of your opponents? They have a double fit in spades and hearts.

As a consequence, your partner has at most two spades. So you are sure that you can give him a ruff! You need to lead a small spade (in case he has an honor), and when you get back on lead with the heart ace, you can play ace of spades and another spade, ruffed by your partner.


Your result so far:

A: ♣5 – With a good hand and strength in trumps, there is no point in leading a singleton. On the contrary, you need to try to find a lead that will help with shortening declarer’s trumps. This means, you need to establish your long suit in order to force declarer to ruff and eventually end up with more trumps than him.

Therefore, it is the fourth best in clubs that you need to choose.


Your result so far:

A: ♠2 – You have a good hand and length in the second suit of your opponents. So there is the risk that declarer will try to eliminate his losers by ruffing them.

In order to prevent this game plan, you need to lead a trump. Leading a doubleton is only useful if you have good chances to get your partner on lead.


Your result so far: