Menu Vu-Bridge | Play like a Champion!

 Short Suit Leads by Larry Cohen

When leading against a suit contract, should you consider leading short suits (singletons or doubletons)? The great Italian star, Benito Garozzo advocated: "When in doubt, lead a singleton."

I've found this to be great advice. However, here are a few exceptions:

1) Not a singleton trump--we are talking about side-suit singletons.
2) Not singleton Kings--too dangerous. Other singleton honors are okay to lead.
3) Not when you have a better alternative (like maybe KQJ or partner's suit).
4) Not when you don't want a ruff. For example, you have QJ10 of trumps.
5) Not when your trump holding indicates a "forcing" defense. Such as A10xx in trumps and QJ109x in another suit (try to make declarer ruff and get trump control).

What about doubletons? Not doubleton honors (Ax, Kx, Qx and Jx are dangerous--not recommended in general). Other doubletons are "okay." If you have nothing better to lead, choosing a spade from say, two small ones, is not a bad idea. It is safer than leading from an honor and sometimes it might lead to you getting a ruff. It is even more attractive if you have a trump control (like the ace).

Question 1

  Your Hand
 A 3 2
 4
 J 10 6 5 3
 Q 5 4 3
 
Q: 1 - What would you lead from West?
SouthWestNorthEast
1pass2pass
4passpasspass


 Your choice:
A: 4 - Remember Benito. This is more attractive than anything else. You have great chances to get a ruff--even if partner doesn't have the A.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 2

  Your Hand
 A 10 3 2
 4
 J 10 8 5
 K 5 4 3
 
Q: 2 - What would you lead from West?
SouthWestNorthEast
1pass2pass
4passpasspass


 Your choice:
A: J - This time, your trump holding argues against trying for ruffs--you have strong trumps. Attack instead with the J (no need to risk leading from a king--your side will be getting in before declarer can run anything).

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 K 3 2
 8 4
 Q 10 7 6
 Q 8 7 6
 
Q: 3 - What would you lead from West?
SouthWestNorthEast
1pass2pass
4passpasspass


 Your choice:
A: 8 -- I'm not a huge fan of leading doubletons, but here, I like it better than anything else. I see no reason to lead a trump (even though it is relatively safe). A good minor-suit guess could be a winning choice, but the doubleton is safer and also gives us a chance for a ruff (especially since we have a potential trump entry).

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
 Q J 10
 Q J 10 7
 3
 K Q 4 3 2
 
Q: 4 - What would you lead from West?
SouthWestNorthEast
1pass2pass
4passpasspass


 Your choice:
A: Q - Anything could be right, but by process of elimination, I like the Q best: No good reason to lead trump. No good reason to lead the singleton (I don't need/want a ruff). The K is slightly dangerous (since KQ-empty). The Q is safe and also attacking.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 K J 3 2
 7
 Q 8 7 4 3 2
 Q 2
 
Q: 5 - What would you lead from West?
SouthWestNorthEast
1pass2pass
4passpasspass


 Your choice:
A: 7 - No, I'm not anxious to get ruffs, but could benefit from them. I don't mind leading from queens (or kings) when called for, but I see no reason to make a risky lead here. There is nothing about my hand that suggests a need to get attacking/aggressive. We'll get many chances later. Leading doubleton honors (such as Q2) is a long-run losing proposition.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Overall Results

Your results:   out of    Average: 

Purchase Quiz Expert
Receive Quiz Expert 3 times a week in your mailbox for only $35.95 pear year!



Get 27 month for the price of 24!
$71.90 for two years:



What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

Rate yourself:

0 - 40% We applaud your effort.
Review the subject and try again. You'll be surprised how much better you'll do.
We're here for you!!
41 - 50% Buy your mentor a cuppa and ask for clarification on the ones you got wrong.
No mentor? Make finding one a priority!
51 - 60% Nice improvement! One more review and you'll have this down solid!
61 - 80% What a good job! All that's left is some fine tuning
Over 80% Wow! It's time for you to become a mentor. Find someone who needs help and share your knowledge!