Leads after a 2NT Opening by Matthias Huberschwiller

They have opened two No-Trumps, the strong hand being on your right. You need to choose your lead well.

Good luck.

Question 1

Your Hand
♠ Q J 6
♥ K 9 5 2
♦ A 6 4 2
♣ 6 3

Q: 1 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
2 NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♠Q - Your partner will have some points, but leading a Heart would be too unilateral.

It's better to lead a Spade, and wait to see if it fares well.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ Q 10 6 2
♥ A 3
♦ Q 10 6 2
♣ J 8 7

Q: 2 - What do you lead as West?

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

A: ♦2 - North has bid Stayman and his partner has shown four Hearts. This means North has four Spades.

Therefore, lead your fourth-best Diamond.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
2 NT	Pass	6 NT	Pass
Pass	Pass

A: ♦10 - You need to lead passively against 6NT contracts.

A Diamond lead carries less of a risk of giving up a trick than a major suit lead, which could pick up your partner's honor, giving declarer a free finesse.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A Q 8
♥ 6
♦ K J 7 6 2
♣ 10 7 6 3

Q: 4 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
2 NT	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♣7 - North has very few points. Therefore, a Diamond lead is too risky. You could be playing straight into declarer's tenace.

Lead a passive Club and wait for your partner to play Diamonds when he gets in.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ 10 9 8 6 2
♥ 7 6 5 2
♦ /
♣ Q 6 5 2

Q: 5 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
2 NT	Pass	3♦	Double
3♥	Pass	4♥	Pass
Pass	Pass

A: ♠10 - Your partner has doubled for a Diamond lead, but you don't have any!

A passive Spade lead is better than a Club, which could blow a trick.

When there's a strong hand on your right, you need to be really careful when considering aggressive leads.

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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