Limited Leads by Ben Norton

A: ♠2. West could have a lot more than a minimum raise to game. Therefore you should set out to be aggressive, looking to establish tricks while not worrying so much about giving them away. In this way a Spade is better than a Heart, since you need much less from partner to set the suit up.

Your result so far:

A: ♥6. Yes. Here West has invited game, limiting his hand. Declarer won’t have any more than a bare minimum of resources at his disposal, and may well go down if you let him get on with it and don’t gift him a trick. To this end a Heart lead is more attractive than a Spade. You’re much less likely to give something away leading from a ten rather than a Queen. Lead your second-highest Heart, so partner knows to look elsewhere for your strength.

Your result so far:

A: ♠3. Their hands are limited, so there’s no indication that you must attack. Any side-suit lead would be a shot in the dark, while a trump rates to be safe and may well cut down dummy’s ruffing potential. They’re almost certainly in a 5-3 fit, and you have three trumps, such that you can lead them each time you get in.

Your result so far:

A: ♦3. West has limited his hand but his partner hasn’t, and could have quite a bit extra. What’s more they have at least a nine-card fit. There are no guarantees but it seems right to be active. A doubleton Heart lead, angling for a ruff, won’t work. You don’t have control of trumps so you’d need a miracle to take a ruff. It’s better to try and establish tricks, and for this purpose your minor suit holdings are ideal, needing only to find partner with the Ace or Queen to get off to a flying start.

Between the minors, a Diamond lead rates to be more effective than a Club. You have fewer Diamonds so there’s a smaller chance of declarer ruffing in early on, and you have greater strength in that suit, needing less from partner to succeed. Of course a Diamond lead could be disastrous, but having decided that an aggressive line of defense is in order, it’s your best hope.

Your result so far:

A: ♥5. The play in 1NT is not normally a race. The points are usually evenly split between both sides, suggesting that you should play the long game, aiming to establish slow tricks and giving nothing away, instead of instigating an all-out attack. However, you should only take passivity so far. When you have a good five-card suit, it’s best to lead it. Hearts will be the primary source of tricks for your side so don’t waste time with the completely safe ♠J. It’s only when you’re unsure as to the best direction of attack that you should sit back.

Your result so far: