Leads after short bidding sequences by Matthias Huberschwiller

This time, your opponents have bid very quickly and jumped immediately to their contract, without giving you a lot of clues.

But as you could take advantage on the preivous quiz from what they actually bid, you can also take clues from what they didn't bid.

Good luck.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - What do you lead as West?

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

A: 3♥ - You have two possible leads: Hearts and Diamonds. How can you choose?

The bidding sequence will give you the clue: South opened 1NT, he probably doesn't have a 5-card major. North jumped to 3 NT without Stayman or Texas: He has no 4-card major.

Therefore, your opponents have more length in the minor suits than the majors suits. That's why you need to pick Hearts over Diamonds: Your partner has a greater chance of being able to help you there.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A 9 6 3
♥ J 10 6
♦ K 6 2
♣ Q 5 2

Q: 2 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1 NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: J♥ - Against 1 NT, you will get on lead more than once and you might set up many suits, but you need to be careful about giving away a trick that could be the 7th for declarer.

Here, the Spade lead is too risky, Ace-4th has a really big risk of giving away a trick, with very few hopes of setting up tricks for your side. The more passive Jack of Hearts lead works better.

When your partner gets on lead, he can still switch to Spades if it's a good thing to do. He can probably tell by looking at the dummy.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K 9 6 5 2
♥ J 3 2
♦ 7
♣ Q J 10 8

Q: 3 - What do you lead as West?

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

A: 7♦ - Even if you have a good Club sequence, the singleton lead works better: With a weak hand, you have good chances of your partner taking the lead and being able to give you some ruffs.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
-	1♣	Double	Pass
1♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: 2♣ - This time your partner has a weak hand and you already have trump tricks. What would be the point of leading your singleton?

The best (and most passive) lead is your 4th best Club, hoping to set up a trick there with a little help from your partner.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - What do you lead as West?

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

A: 2♥ - You are considering both major leads. Which is best?

To set up either suit, you'll need a lot of help from your partner. You have no way of knowing where his values are, but you need to lead the less dangerous suit.

Spades has a much bigger risk of giving away a trick (even if your partner has the Queen it could blow a trick by opening up the suit for declarer), than Hearts.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

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

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