Trump Leads or Not? by Matthias Huberschwiller

In this quiz, you'll have five hands on which you might consider a trump lead.

Which ones make for great trump leads and which ones don't?

Good luck.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ 6 4 2
♥ K 9 8 5 2
♦ K 6 2
♣ K 3

Q: 1 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	4♠	Pass
Pass	Pass

A: ♠2 - Underleading a King would be really risky.

A trump lead is safer. Relax, sit back and wait for the finesses to fail.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ J 5 2
♥ K 9 5 2
♦ Q 6 5 2
♣ K 3

Q: 2 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	2♠	Pass
4♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♦2 - A trump lead could be appealing, but it's too dangerous holding the Jack. If your partner has an honor, you'll have likely blown a trick.

The least risky lead is a Diamond, away from the Queen.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K 9 2
♥ Q J 10 9
♦ 7
♣ K 10 7 6 2

Q: 3 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	2♥	Pass
4♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♥Q - A singleton lead would be a bad idea with such good trumps. You must lead a Heart, since your two tricks there are safe. This might prevent declarer from taking ruffs in the short hand.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A Q 9 8
♥ J 10 6
♦ 9 2
♣ Q 8 6 2

Q: 4 - What do you lead as West?

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

A: ♣2 - You need to prevent them from taking ruffs. Dummy will usually have a singleton Spade on this auction, so even holding the Queen of trumps, you need to lead one.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ Q 8 4
♥ 7 6 5 2
♦ K Q 6 3 2
♣ 2

Q: 5 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	2♥	Pass
4♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♣2 - With four small Hearts and a fairly weak hand, the singleton lead is a good one. You have high hopes of taking one or two ruffs.

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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