Should we lead a singleton by Linda J Green

How often do you think, when making an opening lead, if a singleton is correct or not? There are many circumstances to take into account on the opening lead whether to lead a singleton. Let us look at the different situations to help you clarify this topic.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - As South what suit should you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♥
Pass	3♥	Pass	4♥
Pass	Pass	Pass

A: Ace♦. When one has a 4-card trump suit with a natural trump trick, it is best to lead the longest suit in anticipation to shorten declarer. This is necessary that one hopes to get declarer to lose control thus holding more trumps than the declarer.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

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

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

* strong 12-16 HCP and a 6-card suit. In the balancing seat their are no weak two openings nor as an opener.

A: Q♣. When holding all the high card points and expecting partner to hold zero , one should lead passively and not away from what one has. It is safest to lead a singleton Q as declarer is aware who has all the points.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

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

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

A: Ace♣. When one holds an outside AK in the same suit it is essential to lead the Ace for the following reasons:
1. Show partner where you live!
2. Take a look at dummy to try and guide one as to what to play next. Often partner may be able to signal which suit to switch to- especially if dummy has a singleton. A high card asks for the higher of the 2 remaining side suits excluding trumps and vice a versa.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A 7 6 2
♥ 2
♦ J 9 8 4 3
♣ A J 5

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

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
Pass	3♠	Pass	4♠
Pass	Pass	Pass

A: 4♦. How many points would one expect partner to hold looking at 2 Aces? Leading the long suit again while holding 4 trumps is the way to go. After all partner may be short in diamonds too! Leading the heart suit will only disclose the bad division of the suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

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

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
Pass	3♣	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: Ace♦. As the shape is very unbalanced one cannot double a 1♣ opening without tolerance for all the unbid suits. Leading the Ace to look at dummy again and showing partner you hold the king maybe an asset. Adding 13 hcp plus declarer's 13hcp plus responder's 11/12 HCP leaves partner with very little to help one!. Leading a singleton is futile on this hand.

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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