L131 Suits verses NT contracts by linda j green

What is the purpose of an opening lead?
In a suit contract, our main goal is short-term - we are trying to produce immediate tricks for our side. In a Notrump contact, our general goal is long-term - we are willing to take some early losses (give up tricks) in order to set up several tricks for us later in the hand. In the money world we should think of a Short-term vs. Long-term investment. The same situation applies to differentiating between leads in a suit verses a NT contract. Let us see how we should set about which card to lead?

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - As South which card do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
Pass	4♥	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: Ace♠. When we have a choice of two suits, each having a sequence - cards touching - it is best to lead the top of the better suit to look at dummy before deciding what to lead next.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 9 8 7
♥ Q 3 2
♦ A K 7 6 4
♣ 10 9

Q: 2 - As South what card do you lead?

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

A: 6♦.In a No Trump contract we lead 4th highest which is a long term investment . Here we do not want to win immediate tricks. We hope to set up tricks in our long suit and giving up one trick first which will allow our partner to still have a card in our suit to return and develop all the rest of the diamond tricks.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ Q J 9 8
♥ Q J 3 2
♦ 7 6
♣ 9 8 7

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

A: Q♠ When we have 3 cards almost touching each other when one card is missing(10) it is considered a full sequence. Therefore we lead the top card . The heart suit is not a full sequence therefore the better suit is spades.
Remember: J10872 Here is a similar situation (9) one card missing. We lead the top card- Jack.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 7 3
♥ A 7 6 5 4
♦ 9 8
♣ Q 10 3 2

Q: 4 - As south what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
Pass	2♦	Pass	3♠
Pass	4♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: 2♣ We do not lead unsupported Aces ( from spaces) in a suit contract. Aces are meant to capture Kings. Leading a low club allows us to make a short term investment hoping we can get tricks quickly if partner either has the Ace or King while we control the other unbid suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ Q 7 6 2
♥ J 4
♦ A K J 3 2
♣ 9 8

Q: 5 - As south what suit do you lead?

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

A: Ace♦. When we have 3 honor cards almost touching this is considered a full sequence. We look at dummy and partner knows you have the King and another high honor. As before without the 3rd honor- we would lead 4th highest. . Thereafter if a spade switch looks better do it. Everything depends on your partner's card whether she likes your lead or not. Tell her at the 1st opportunity what you hold. A quick investment may take place!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

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