Leads against a Minor Suit Game by Matthias Huberschwiller

Your opponents have not found a major fit, but they aren't playing in 3NT. Let's figure out why, and lead accordingly.

Good luck.

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1♦	Pass	1♠	Pass
2♣	Pass	2♥	Pass
3♣	Pass	5♣	Pass
Pass	Pass

A: A♥ - Let's look at the bidding. North has used 4th-suit-forcing to try and find a Heart stopper, but he didn't find one. North jumped straight to 5♣. A Heart lead is necessary to take as many Heart tricks as possible before declarer discards his losers in the suit.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

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

Q: 2 - What do you lead as West?

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

A: 8♣ - They stopped in 5♦ because they are missing two Aces. You have the Ace of Diamonds, your partner must have another one.

By leading your singleton, you are nearly certain of defeating the game. When you get back on lead with the Ace of Diamonds, you'll just play to your partner's Ace to get a ruff.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

Your Hand
♠ Q 9 2
♥ J 10 9 6
♦ A 6 3
♣ 7 4 2

Q: 3 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1 NT	Pass	2♠ *	Double
3♣	Pass	5♣	Pass
Pass	Pass

2♠ - Club Transfer

A: 2♠ - Your partner doubled the Transfer, that means he wants a Spade lead. You have no reason not to obey, and you should lead a low Spade, to show length.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ Q J 10 9
♥ 7 2
♦ 8 6 3
♣ K J 4 2

Q: 4 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
1♥	Pass	1 NT	Pass
3♦	Pass	3♠	Pass
4♦	Pass	5♦	Pass
Pass	Pass

A: 2♣ - North has shown Spade strength, but South did not bid 3NT. They must have nothing in Clubs.

Leading your Spade sequence looks fine, but the auction screams for a Club lead.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

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

Q: 5 - What do you lead as West?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	2♥
5♦	Pass	Pass	Pass

A: Q♠ - Holding so many Hearts, you are nearly sure that the Ace of Hearts will be ruffed, especially seeing as South jumped to game all by himself.

You best shot at taking tricks is to lead the Queen of Spades.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Overall Results

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What next? You may enjoy playing our prepared hands series.
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