Lead with Barry by Monika

FOLLOWING THE TRAIL

Of course not all auctions are blind. When your partner bids or doubles, it may point you in the right direction. Equally, the opponents may give you the clue. Then the question is whether what you see in your own hand shoud persuade you to follow the clue or go your own way.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - What do you lead as South?

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

A: ♦6 - On an auction where you know dummy is going to go down with very short hearts, and declarer is going to want to ruff hearts in dummy, what should you lead? Answer: a trump will make declarer’s life more difficult, and it will not necessarily cost your side a trick. Any time your partner has a trump honor you will at least break even, won’t you?

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - What do you lead as South?

South	West	North	East
-	1♠	2♣	2♥
Pass	3NT	Pass	4♥
Pass	6♥	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: ♦Q - Although it goes against all the rules, I would lead a top diamond. The auction screams out that declarer is short in clubs, and dummy is not worried about a club lead. I’d go for the surprise attack – and be prepared to apologize to partner on bended knee, if necessary.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ Q 7 4
♥ J 7 4 2
♦ 9 8 6
♣ K 5 3

Q: 3 - What do you lead as South?

South	West	North	East
-	1♣	Pass	1♥
Pass	1♠	Pass	3♥
Pass	4♥	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: ♦9 - Even though it is normally right to lead low from three small, here with a sequence like this one in diamonds the nine looks like the right card to lead to trick one. It may also make it easier for partner to shift if appropriate, knowing you have little in that suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - What do you lead as South?

South	West	North	East
-	1♦	1♥	2♣
Pass	2♦	Pass	3NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♠4 - I would opt for a spade lead here, and be prepared to pay off if my RHO has overstated the nature of their heart stop. This decision is reinforced because I appear to have an entry in the form of my club card. Still, if you play with someone who would be mortally offended if you do not lead their suit, lead a heart by all means.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - What do you lead as South?

South	West	North	East
-	1♦	1NT	2♣
2♥	3♣	Dbl.	Pass
Pass	Pass

A: ♣2 - A trump lead stands out here – declarer will surely be hoping to ruff one of the majors in dummy and leading trumps should prevent him from doing that. Your values in diamonds make it seem declarer will not easily be able to set up that suit, so cut down on the ruffs as soon as you can.

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

Rate yourself:

0 - 40%	We applaud your effort. Review the subject and try again. You'll be surprised how much better you'll do. We're here for you!!
41 - 50%	Buy your mentor a cuppa and ask for clarification on the ones you got wrong. No mentor? Make finding one a priority!
51 - 60%	Nice improvement! One more review and you'll have this down solid!
61 - 80%	What a good job! All that's left is some fine tuning
Over 80%	Wow! It's time for you to become a mentor. Find someone who needs help and share your knowledge!