Leads after a take/out double by Matthias Huberschwiller

You or your partner has opened the bidding and an opponent has doubled for take/out, before going on to win the auction.

Use all the information available from the bidding sequence to find the killing lead!

Good luck.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - What do you lead as South?

South	West	North	East
2♥	Double	Pass	4♠
Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♦8 - There is no reason to underlead the ♥K. Your partner hasn't supported you, so a Heart lead could easily run around to declarer's tenace.

The safest lead is a Diamond, from your small doubleton. If your partner has values there, you may be able to set up tricks, or even score a ruff on a good day.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ K J 6
♥ 7 6 2
♦ A 5 2
♣ A 6 5 2

Q: 2 - What do you lead as South?

South	West	North	East
1♣	Double	Pass	4♥
Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♥2 - You don't have a sequence, so an aggressive side-suit lead would be too dangerous. Lead a passive Heart. This could prevent declarer from taking ruffs in the short hand.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - What do you lead as South?

South	West	North	East
1♣	Double	Pass	3 NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♠2 - You aren't going to lead a Club, so it's a choice between the majors. Underleading an Ace is more risky than leading from a Queen. Try a Spade.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ 7 6 5 2
♥ 7 2
♦ J 10 9 6 2
♣ 6 2

Q: 4 - What do you lead as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♥	Double
Pass	2♠	Pass	3 NT
Pass	Pass	Pass

A: ♥7 - You have no entries and therefore no real hope of setting up and cashing the Diamonds. Lead a Heart to help set up your partner's long suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - What do you lead as South?

South	West	North	East
-	-	1♣	Double
Pass	2♣	Pass	2♠
Pass	4♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: ♥8 - Your best chance of making a trick with this hand is via a Heart ruff. East doesn't have four Hearts. Therefore, your partner probably has length there.

Leading a Club won't help you develop many tricks, especially seeing as partner didn't Double 2♣.

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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