Trump leads by Matthias Huberschwiller

In this quiz you will be looking at lead problems against suit contracts.

You will have to choose between short suit leads (aiming to take ruffs), and long suit leads (aiming to promote tricks).

Good luck.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1 NT	Pass	2♣	Pass
2♥	Pass	3♥	Pass
4♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♦7 - No problem on this one, your singleton is a great lead.

If your partner can take the lead before declarer draws trumps (with the Ace of Diamonds, or the Ace of Hearts for instance), he'll be able to give you some ruffs.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	2♠	Pass
4♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♥A - You have a singleton, but you have a better lead: the Ace of Hearts.

You will get a look at dummy, and can decide later what the best plan is. For instance, if dummy has a singleton Ace of Clubs, you would look foolish leading your singleton Club.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	2♥	Pass
4♥	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♣5 - This one is tricky. You have two natural trump tricks, so taking a ruff won't help you.

That's why leading your singleton is not a good move here. You'd better lead from your long Club suit, trying to set up tricks.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

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

Q: 4 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	2♠	Pass
4♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♥7 - You have a natural trump trick, but you'd like to ruff with your small trumps, therefore you lead your singleton.

Even if your partner can't get on lead immediately, you might get some ruffs, since you can take the lead with the Ace of Spades and try a minor suit to give the lead to your partner.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ A 6 2
♥ A Q J 3
♦ J
♣ K 9 6 5 2

Q: 5 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	2♠	Pass
4♠	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♠2 - Look at your point-count, you have fifteen of them. Your partner will have nearly zero. Don't help declarer by leading your singleton. You'll never get a ruff anyway.

Underleading the King of Clubs is too dangerous, since there's very little chance of your partner holding the Queen.

A small Spade is the best lead. It won't give away a trick and may cut down dummy's ruffing potential.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

Your results: out of Average:

What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
More informations on our website: www.VuBridge.com

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