Leading from Aces and Kings? by linda j green

There are many players that are too afraid to lead away from a King, but when the auction tells you that your side needs tricks quickly you have to do it and always listen to the bidding.
NEVER lead (or underlead) an Ace against a suit contract. Against NT usually the 4th highest from your longest and strongest (unless you have 4 cards and a sequence to lead the top card from). Therefore against a NT contract, you will often lead away from an Ace or a King.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - As South what suit do you lead according to the bidding?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
Pass	2♣	Pass	2♠
Pass	3♣	Pass	3♠
Pass	4NT*	Pass	5♥
Pass	6♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

* Blackwood- looking for Aces

A: 3♥. When responder shows a long club suit - timing is everything. Before they knock out the Ace♣ try and develop a trick in the heart suit and hope partner has the Queen. When you regain the lead, cash the K♥ to defeat the contract. Without a lead of the heart declarer can throw away heart losers on the long club suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - As South what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
Pass	2NT*	Pass	4♥**
Pass	Pass	Pass

* 2NT= 11-12 denies 3-card heart support and balanced
** 4♥= a 6 or 7 card suit

A: Ace♦. When you hold an outside Ace with a king together it is best to lead the Ace for two reasons:
a. To show partner where your values are
b. To look at dummy and help guide you as to which suit is appealing to lead next!
We do not lead an unsupported Ace on this auction. We promise the king.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ 8 6 5
♥ K 7 5 2
♦ Q J 6 5
♣ 9 8

Q: 3 - As South what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
Pass	2♦	Pass	2♥
Pass	2♠	Pass	3♣
Pass	3♦	Pass	3♠
Pass	4♣*	Pass	4♦**
Pass	4♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

* A cue-bid showing the control of the Ace♣
** A cue-bid showing the control of the Ace♦

A: 2♥. They cue-bid clubs and diamonds looking for a slam. They never showed any heart control. Therefore it is safe to lead away from a king on this auction. Expecting partner to hold the Ace.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

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

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♦
Pass	1♥	Pass	1♠
Pass	2♣*	Pass	2♦
Pass	5♦	Pass	Pass
Pass

*4th Suit Forcing to game( unbid suit)= asks for a stopper in clubs or shape.

A: Ace♣ When the opponents bid 3 suits and then bid the 4th suit they are looking to play in a NT contract. Having denied a stopper you lead the unbid suit even holding the Ace and Queen.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

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

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1NT
Pass	2♣*	Pass	2♠
Pass	3NT	Pass	Pass
Pass

* Stayman - asking for a 4-card major

A: 2♦. When responder returns to 3NT responder promises a 4-card heart suit. Therefore leading from the 4-card diamond suit is the only other alternative. In a NT contract we CAN lead away from an Ace.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

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