Tempered Aggression by Ben Norton

A: ♠7. It’s often best to lead passively against 1NT. The balance of power between the two sides is usually even, meaning that there’s no race to come to seven tricks. It’s unlikely that declarer will have a fantastic source of tricks that he needs a tempo to set up, so a passive lead is recommended so as to give declarer nothing he can’t take himself. A Spade lead from four low cards most likely won’t give anything away, but could still set up a long card in the suit.

Your result so far:

A: ♦8. This is another time to go passive, even more so than against 1NT. East has nearly all of his side’s strength, so you want to avoid leading into his tenaces, giving him tricks that he can’t get himself either because you’re leading away from an honor or because you’re picking up partner’s holding when declarer probably wouldn’t be able to get to dummy to take any finesses. In this way it would be too dangerous to lead a major, since that will just allow declarer to score cheap tricks. A Diamond lead from 9 8 x will only give something away if partner has a finesse-able honor there, but if that’s the case then it may well be that you’d have to play Diamonds at some point later in the play anyway.

Your result so far:

A: ♦2. You should strive to lead aggressively on this auction. It’s often the case that declarer has more than enough strength to make his contract by his own devices, therefore you should aim to establish tricks for your side. A major suit lead is usually recommended, since neither opponent has transferred or used Stayman, but your major holdings aren’t at all attractive to lead from, so a Diamond from your longest suit is best. If partner has any Diamond honor you’ll most probably be able to set the suit up.

Your result so far:

A: ♣10. This time because of the invite your opponents will only just have the overall strength needed for game, so this will be a touch-and-go affair. There’s no sign that either opponent will have a very long suit to play on, so there isn’t a great deal of urgency here. Your main target should be to not give declarer anything. If you were to lead a Diamond and declarer has the Jack with the King on dummy for example, you could well be presenting declarer with his ninth trick. The ♣10 lead will virtually never give anything away, but it isn't without offensive potential either.

Your result so far:

A: ♥2. This time East-West have shown more than enough strength to make game, because they’ve made a try for slam. Thus you need to be very aggressive and quickly set up your tricks, so that you can cash them when you get the lead, which may be the only time declarer lets you in before he scores ten tricks. Therefore a major suit lead is in order, but which one? A Heart is best, because you already have a Spade trick in the bag, but you don’t have any Hearts. Thus you have more potential for establishing tricks in Hearts. You’ll probably need partner to either have two heart honors or something like Q x x x x, but that’s not beyond hope. It's very unlikely that you're cashing the whole Spade suit, and if you need to set up Hearts then you need to do it now.

When deciding whether to lead actively or passively, keep the auction in mind. If your opponents have shown excess strength then lead aggressively, throwing most caution to the wind in order to set up tricks for your side. Also, if an opponent has shown a very long suit then you often need to be active, because declarer could easily have his contract in top tricks. Similarly, if you think your values are well placed for declarer (e.g. K J x under dummy’s long suit), then he’s likely to make his contract unless you get to it. Conversely, if you think the strength of the hand is evenly balanced or the contract will be touch-and-go, lead passively, aiming to give nothing away. When things appear to be lying badly for declarer then you probably won’t need to go on the offensive.

Your result so far: