Opening Leads Versus Suit Contracts

Bigfoot Bridge > Lesson Worksheets and Answers > Opening Leads Versus Suit Contracts

(Based on Eddie Kantar Lesson 12)

Opening leads are difficult!  This is the only card play decision that is made by looking only at your own hand.  Furthermore, the wrong lead can sink the defense.  Feeling the pressure yet?

Selecting an opening lead has two components:

  1. Figuring out which ________ to lead.
  2. Figuring out which _________ in that suit to lead.

Which Suit to Lead?

Listen to the ________________ !

  • Which suits did the ___________ bid?
  • Which suits did __________ bid?
  • Did partner have an opportunity to make a cheap _____________ or a ______ – ___________ call?

Key Considerations

  • Does Dummy have trump support?
    • It is almost never right to lead a trump versus a dummy that does not have trump support.
  • If Dummy has trump support, when should I lead a trump?  Examples when it might be right:
    • 1S – 2S:  Responder might have a ruffing value and probably not a long suit on the side.
    • 1S – 1NT – 2H – Pass.  Responder prefers opener’s second suit and is obviously short in ______ .  It is often right to lead ________ .
  • If Dummy has trump support, when should I not lead a trump ?
    • It’s dangerous if Dummy has a side suit that might be ____________ .  Example: their auction is 1S – 2H – 2S – 4S.
      • Responder has at least ____________ hearts.  Declarer is likely to try to establish the hearts for ___________ .
      • Look at your own holding in hearts to see how likely it is that Declarer can establish Dummy’s hearts:
        • xxx, Kxx are bad holdings for you.  Don’t lead _________ .
        • AQxx is a decent holding for you.  It could be OK to lead _________ .
        • xx is a decent holding for you because partner probably has a good holding behind Dummy.  It could be OK to lead _______ .
        • If you can’t tell if your holding is good then don’t lead a trump.  Make an ___________ lead in a side suit.
  • When else might a trump be the right lead?
    • Partner converts a ____________ double for penalties at the 1 or 2 level.  Even if you have a singleton trump, lead it.
    • You have awkward _________  in all of side suits, your partner didn’t bid, and the auction doesn’t indicate the Declaring side has a long side suit.  Example:  1S – 3S
      • But….don’t lead a singleton trump because you’ll probably finesse your partner’s holdings.
  • When to lead partner’s suit
    • This is the default option unless you have a very good reason not to.  One such reason:  you have Axx in your partner’s suit.
    • When partner doubles an artificial bid by the opponents that is essentially a ________ to lead that suit.
  •  Sequence leads
    • These are the best leads if you are lucky enough to have them.  Usually lead this unless there’s a strong reason not to.
  • Leading unsupported aces
    • Usually, don’t do this.
    • However, it could be right if:
      • You are looking to get a _________ (i.e. singleton A, Ax)
      • You have ________ and you want to give your partner a ruff.
      • It is almost never right to lead away from an Ace.  Exception:  Dummy has bid no-trump and Declarer has shown a _______ __________ .  Then it might work.
  • Leading from other honors
    • It is safer to lead from a king than from a _______ .
    • If the bidding calls for an aggressive lead then leading from a king is _______ .
    • Leading a suit with AQ loses if the king is to your _______ but is OK otherwise.
      • If the opponents wind up in five of a minor after trying to get to 3NT and you have AQ in a suit then you can lead that suit.
  • Short-Suit Leads
    • This works best when you have ______ control.
      • Examples:  Ax, Axx, Kxx.
    • Vs. a slam a ___________ lead can work if partner might have either the ace of the suit you are leading or the trump ace.  If you have an ace, don’t bother.
    • If the opponents have shown all 4 aces then a singleton trump won’t work well.
    • Don’t lead short suits if you have a likely _______ trump trick.  Example:  JTxx, QJx.
  • Long Suit Leads
    • If you have _______ in trumps
    • If you have length in a side suit they have _______ and ____________.  You might be able to give your partner a ruff.

 

Which Card to Lead?

  • Basics
    • If you lead from a _____________ lead the top card.
    • Lead low from three to an _________ (unless the honor is the Ace)
    • Lead the top honor from KQ, QJ, JT.
  • Some Leads Requiring Partnership Discussion
    • Leads from AK combinations.
      • Lead the Q from AKQ.  Partner should give _________ .
      • Lead K from AKx in a bid and raised suit or partner’s suit.
      • Lead K from AKx at 5 level or higher.
      • Lead K from AKx after trick 1.
      • Lead A from AKx otherwise.
    • Leads from KJT, KT9, QT9
    • Fourth Best vs Third and Fifth Best from length
    • Leads from Three or Four Small