What to lead against preempts by Linda J Green

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. Conversely, if the opponents preempt as your LHO the lead should be passive to avoid giving them tricks they do not deserve.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ A Q J 6
♥ 8 7
♦ J 9 8
♣ 10 9 7 2

Q: 1 - What do we lead against a preempt when the stronger hand is expected to be in the dummy?

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

A: Ace♠ - When there has been a preempt on your right expect the majority of the high card points to be in dummy. We need to build a trick as soon as possible .

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ A 5 3
♥ K 4
♦ A Q 10 6
♣ 9 8 7 2

Q: 2 - What do you lead when the opponents have preempted against your opening bid and get to game?

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

A: 9♣ When they have all the high card points , it is best to lead passive and lead "top of nothing" being a sequence. Leading a low diamond would give them a trick that they do not deserve to make , therefore let them play to you. A low club shows an honor .Low Likes- High Hates LL-HH . Help partner!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ A 9 7
♥ K 4 3
♦ J 10 5 4
♣ 8 7 6

Q: 3 - What do you lead after partner opens the bidding and they preempt to the 4- level?

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

A: 3♥ When we have 3 or more cards in partners opening bid we lead low to show the count. It is either 3 or 4 cards. We only lead the K if it is a singleton or a doubleton. We do not guarantee an honor.
Should you hold the Ace in partners bid suit , we lead the ACE! Never away from an Ace in a suit contract!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 7 6
♥ K 4 2
♦ A Q 10 6 5 3
♣ 9 8

Q: 4 - What do you lead after they have shown both majors ?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♦
3♦*	Pass	3♠	Pass
4♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

*Michaels - both majors 5/5 and a good hand 15 or more HCP

A: 7 ♠ When the opponents have shown a two -suited hand it is best to lead a trump to prevent them from trumping the other major.If partner could not double the artificial bid of 3♦ then it is best to avoid that suit altogether.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A 7
♥ K J 10
♦ J 10 8 7 3 2
♣ 7 4

Q: 5 - What do you lead against a full opening hand knowing that 4th seat openings are NOT preemptive?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	Pass
Pass	Pass	2♠*	Pass
4♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

* 12-16 HCP Full opening hand 6-card suit.There are no weak two openings in the 4th seat

A: J♦ Top of a broken sequence. When one card is missing it is considered a full sequence. It is a good idea to lead your long suit as you are going to regain the lead with a trump and often partner may be short to get a ruff.

Your result so far:

Open Question

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