Opening Leads against Suit Contracts 3 by Paul Bowyer

A: Lead the ♣7.

After this bidding it seems wise to lead the unbid suit. After all, what else can you try? A red suit lead is repulsive after East has bid both Hearts and Diamonds.

With a trashy holding in Clubs it is best to lead the second-highest to alert your partner to the fact that you have nothing in the suit and you don’t want it returning.

This, incidentally, is the modern style, gaining traction worldwide. Lead the fourth-highest from suits with honors, lead second-highest from garbage.


Your result so far:

A: Lead the ♠8.

Everything else looks revolting after the bidding so it looks right to go passive by leading the second highest from a poor suit.

The difference between this combination and that of Q1 is that here you will play the ♠9 on the second round. (Some players go by the acronym MUD: Middle, Up, Down).

With ♣9 7 5 2 in Q1 you'd lead the ♣7 and follow with the ♣2 on the next round.

Your result so far:

A: Lead the ♠3.

Why lead a trump? Well, firstly everything else is ghastly as an opening lead (what do you suggest?) and, secondly, a trump lead may just stop East ruffing a loser in the dummy.

In any case, a Spade lead is hardly likely to give away a trick. When leading trumps you should always lead the lowest card, unless you have a sequence in the suit.

Your result so far:

A: The ♥Q.

Yes, a trump. Why? Well, it’s safe in that it can’t open up a frozen suit and also you have nothing better to do.

The singleton Club, you say? But you don’t want to ruff when holding a certain trump trick. Anyway, leading dummy’s suit is not a good idea.

Your result so far:

A: The ♥3.

You have a revolting selection to lead from with all suits except trumps looking likely to open up frozen suits. In these cases a trump lead may prove safest – it may also prevent declarer ruffing some losers on table should dummy prove to have some shape.

When leading trumps it is best to lead the lowest card.

Your result so far: