Vubridge Expert Kit
Lesson #19 - Opening Leads Against No-trump

Editorial by Paul Bowyer

Welcome to the nineteenth edition of VuBridge Expert Kit. In this issue we turn our attention to defense where, in the first six deals, we consider the opening lead against No-trump contracts. Surely this is easy, you say? Just lead the fourth-highest of your longest and strongest, no? Well, life is not always so easy and here we show you some exceptions to that “rule”. In the second set of half-a-dozen deals we switch you round 180 degrees so that you are in third seat with your partner on opening lead. To make the best defense you will have to Read the Lead and this may involve having to apply the famous Rule of Eleven. Having analyzed matters, you still have to know what to do with the information. Are you up for the challenge?

The remaining eight hands, as ever, are all on counting the hand. These deals involve the idea of looking for important clues, possibly by analyzing the bidding or the lack of it. If you want to find out more about a hand, you may have to do some digging. Our brilliant young expert, Ben Norton, shows you how.

Opening Leads Against No-trump - Part I

This series of six deals, the first of six deals on the topic, is all about opening leads against No-trump contracts.

It's not always correct to lead "fourth-highest of your longest and strongest" against a No-trump contract and here we lead you gently through the minefield.

Series #5958 - Defense: Opening Leads - Part I

Opening Leads Against No-trump - Part II: This series of six deals, the second of six deals on the topic, is all about the early play against No-trump contracts.

This time, though, you are in third seat, with partner having made the opening shot. Your task is to Read the Lead and, perhaps, to make use of the Rule of Eleven to work out what to do in defense.

Series #5971 - Deception Play - Part II:

Series #5947 - Counting the Hands:

Here, you have eight assorted deals to play, with a theme of Counting the Hand.