L116 What to lead against preempts? by linda green

We preempt to take as much bidding space away from the opponents.When the opponents make a preemptive bid and they reach a game, we should be aware that the stronger hand is usually the dummy. We should therefore make an attacking lead to get our tricks early. Timing is everything. Let us look at the following hands to see what we should lead as defender.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A Q J
♥ 7 6 5 3
♦ J 10 8 4
♣ A Q

Q: 1 - As South what do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	4♥
pass	pass	pass

A: Ace♠ When the opponent opens at the 4-level in the first seat they usually promise an 8-card or a 7 - card suit with a side 4-card suit.Why 4? Because spades could be found and they are taking away as much space from the opponents. South is not strong enough to make a "Take-out" double in the 2nd seat as the LHO is undisclosed.We lead the Ace♠ as we expect the stronger hand in dummy.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - As South what do you lead against a preempt?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	3♠
pass	pass	pass

A: 5♥ When the opponents preempt in one major they are usually short in the other major. We must make an attacking lead in anticipation our partner holds something in that suit. Leading the Q♣ is a second choice but not having the ten is a little dangerous to disclose the holding.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ K Q 7
♥ A J 7 5
♦ 5 4
♣ 10 9 8 7

Q: 3 - As South what do you lead against a preempt?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	-
pass	3♦	p	3 N T
pass	pass	pass

A: K♠. When the RHO bids game the strong hand is on your right. They promise a fit in diamonds to bid a game.Therefore a lead of a major is mandatory. Which one- is difficult? Leading away from the Ace may give declarer the king. Leading the K♠ allows partner the opportunity to give a signal and perhaps not give away a trick.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ K 7 6 5
♥ J 10 8 7
♦ 5 4 3
♣ Q 2

Q: 4 - As South which suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	-
pass	2♦*	pass	2NT**
pass	3♥	pass	3NT
pass	pass	pass

* weak-6-card suit
** asks for an outside feature and is forcing for one round.Opener shows a heart honor.

A: J♥. Top of a broken sequence. When one card is missing (the 9) we consider this to be a full sequence. We chose the heart suit as showing a feature in hearts and leading through that suit offers a better choice to defeat the hand than a spade which declarer is know to hold.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - As South what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	3♥
pass	4♥	pass	pass
pass

A: 5♠. When the strong hand is on your left- lead from a king and try to build up a trick in the spade suit quickly. Leading an unsupported Ace may cost a trick not having the Q and the Jack. Leading from the Q♣ may cost a trick as it will pick up a free finesse if declarer holds something in that suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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