Why we lead the unbid suit? by linda j green

When the opponents have bid 3 suits and they are exploring for a 3 NT contract usually landing up in 5 of a minor , we tend to lead the unbid suit. There are times when they open a weak two diamond and explore again looking for a feature. They are also looking to play in a 3 NT contract, we apply the same thought process. Let us look at these various auctions to lead us to the correct opening lead.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ J 6 3
♥ 10 9 4 3
♦ 6 4
♣ A Q 7 6

Q: 1 - As South what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
Pass	3♦	Pass	3♥*
Pass	3♠**	Pass	5♦
Pass	Pass	Pass

* Shows a heart stopper. When a minor suit is agreed the bid of a suit shows that stopper looking for the other stoppers to bid NT.
**Shows a spade stopper.

A: Ace♣. If either player had the King♣ they would have bid 3 NT.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - AS South what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
Pass	1♦	Pass	1S
Pass	3♣	Pass	3♠
Pass	5♣	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: Ace♦ . I like to lead an Ace having the King hoping I can look at the dummy and hold the trick . This will guide me where to go next. Declarer shows 6 clubs and 5 spades. Declarer does not deny a heart stopper - the unbid suit. Shape is more important. Always bid the second suit twice with a 6/5 shape.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 4 3
♥ A J 6 4
♦ 8 7 6
♣ J 10 8 6

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

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

A: J♣. There are two unbid suits. We cannot lead an Ace without the King ( unsupported Ace).Therefore the J♣ looks the safest lead

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 4 3
♥ K 10 5 2
♦ 8 7 6
♣ K 8 3 2

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

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

A: 2♥. When we have two unbid suits we lead the stronger one with better intermediate cards.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

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

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

A: 4♥. When we have a long trump suit 4 or more we lead our longest suit in anticipation to shorten declarer's trumps so we will have more trumps than them.

Your result so far:

Open Question

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