Lead after a major opening by Matthias Huberschwiller

One of your opponents has opened a five-card major and they have ended up playing the hand.

You're on lead. Keep the auction in mind to help find the killer lead.

Good luck.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - What do you lead as West?

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

A: ♦4 - They have game-going strength, which means your partner has some points.

Leading your singleton is a great idea, to try and get some ruffs.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - What do you lead as West?

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

A: ♦2 - South should have both unbid suits stopped. By underleading the Ace of Spades, you might give away a trick when South has the King.

Leading away from a Queen is a lot safer.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	2 NT*	Pass
3♠	Pass	4 NT	Pass
5♠ **	Pass	7♠	Pass
Pass	Pass

2 NT - Jacoby
5♠ - Two keycards and the trump Queen

A: ♠2 - Your partner won't have an Ace to take the lead with, so leading your singleton won't do any good.

The safest lead is a trump. They will have the Ace, King and Queen of Spades, so you won't be giving anything away.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ K J 10 9 7
♥ A 3
♦ Q J 6
♣ K 6 2

Q: 4 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1♠	Pass	Pass	Double
Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♦Q - It would be great to take out South's trumps, but it's better if your partner leads them. Lead the top of your Diamond sequence. Your partner knows you have good Spades sitting behind South, since you Passed his take/out Double.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 9 4 2
♥ 7 2
♦ K Q J 6
♣ Q J 10 9

Q: 5 - What do you lead as West?

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

A: ♦K - You have two sequences of three touching cards. Lead the one with the highest honor. That suit will be easier to set up.

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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