L121Should we lead an Ace against a No Trump contract? by linda j green

Who says it is a no-no to lead an Ace against a No Trump contract!
There are always exceptions and many guidelines in this fabulous world of bridge.

Certainly with AKQ2, AKJT (3-card sequences or broken sequences) we certainly do it.

However, when we hold AK43 without unsupporting honors we will lead the King for fear of giving declarer the Queen.

We ask for an attitude signal from partner on this lead.

We also retain the lead, so when we see the dummy, we can judge whether to abandon the suit, and guide us to a better line of defense, by switching to a more promising line of play.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - As South what do you lead?

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

A: K♥. When we do not hold a sequence (3 cards touching) we lead the King asking partner for an attitude. Do you like it partner? We do not lead 4th from the top down as the ten is a very large card and why would we give declarer a Queen (Q42) unnecessarily?

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A K J 10 7
♥ 8 7 6
♦ 9 8 7
♣ 6 5

Q: 2 - As South what do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2 NT
Pass	3NT	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: A♠. When we hold a sequence (3 cards touching or almost touching), we want our partner to throw away an honor. ONLY WHEN WE LEAD AN ACE, against a No trump contract. If we do not have an honor, we give the Count! A High card from 2 or 4 cards e.g. 9732 or 92. A low card from 3 or 5 cards. e.g. 962 or 97652.
The leader can see dummy, count the number of cards in partners hand, and often declarer may have a doubleton Q, and playing the King now can run the suit, to defeat the contract. The ten is not an honor! Count will help us to stop playing the suit if declarer has Qxx.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 10 9
♥ J 10 9
♦ A K 10
♣ Q J 10 4 3

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

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
Pass	1♠	Pass	1 NT
Pass	2 NT	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: K♦. We like to look at dummy, as the ten is a high card and do not wish to give declarer the Queen. Partner is obliged to give you an attitude signal. Low card to discourage, and a high card to encourage the continuation. After looking at a low card signal, a switch to the Q♣ would guide us for the defense.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A J 4 3
♥ J 2
♦ K 5 4
♣ K 10 8 3

Q: 4 - As South which suit and which card do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
Pass	1♥	Pass	1 NT
Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: 3♣. There are two unbid suits. Our Ace is our entry for setting up our 4-card club suit. The Ace is not supported by a touching card.

Remember:
An Ace-lead against NT asks for an honor to be thrown away, or count.
A King-lead against NT asks for attitude. Low card dislikes. High card likes.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A Q 10 9
♥ A 4 3 2
♦ K 10 9
♣ K 4

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

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1 NT
Pass	3 NT	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: 2♥. As you have ALL the remaining points, partner is rated to have zero! We lead passively. Our Aces do not have supporting touching cards.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

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