The Curse of Scotland by Matthias Huberschwiller

A: 9♦ - Both opponents have shown a 4-card major, so unless you get very lucky, the majors won't give you many tricks.

You need to choose between the minors. With so few points, it's better to lead for your partner, in his hoped-for best suit.

There's two reasons why a Diamond will work better: Your partner could have doubled 2♣ if he had a good suit there, and leading from Queen-third could be really dangerous: even if your partner has an honor there, it could give up a trick.

Your result so far:

A: 10♣ - This time, the 9 of Diamonds could bring you very bad luck.

Why do you lead singletons? To make some ruffs.

Here you don't want to ruff, since you already have 2 trump tricks. It's best to lead a passive Club and wait for the tricks to come to you.

Your result so far:

A: 2♦ - You partner has overcalled to tell you what to led, there is no reason not to oblige him.

But which card should you lead? Have you been cursed?

When your partner has bid a suit, you need to show him count. Leading the 9 of Diamonds would make him think you have a doubleton. You need to lead the 2 to show your three cards. This does not promise an honor.

Your result so far:

A: 7♦ - 9-8-7 does not make a sequence. A sequence must at least have the 10. K-10-9 is a broken sequence, for example.

Since the Diamonds are not forming a sequence, you can avoid the curse by leading your 4th best, the 7 of Diamonds.

Your result so far:

A: 2♦ - When opener shows a two-suiter and responder passes, a trump lead is usually a very good one, since declarer will try to ruff his Heart losers on dummy here.

But which card should you lead?

If you lead the 9 and declarer plays two rounds of Spades, ruffing the third one with the 8 in his hand, you will be cursed. You need to lead a small spot card, to keep the high 9 for a possible overruff.

Your result so far: