Menu Vu-Bridge | Play like a Champion!

 Difficult leads against No-trumps (2) by Matthias Huberschwiller

You will lead against a No-trump contract, but your longest suit was bid by your opponents.

What should you do ?

Should you lead it regardless or look for a shorter suit that might be your partner's long suit ?

It's your lead !

Question 1

  Your Hand
 9 6 2
 J 9 6 2
 J 7 6 2
 7 2
 
Q: 1 - What do you lead as West?
SouthWestNorthEast
1Pass1Pass
1 NTPass3 NTPass
PassPass


 Your choice:
A: 7 – You don't have a good hand, so the setting trick will not come from your suits.
You need to seek to lead for your partner. He could have bid 1, but he did not do it, so it is unlikely that he has five good spades. To bid 2, however, he would have had to bid on the two-level. Therefore, you have a better chance of finding his long suit if you lead a club.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 2

  Your Hand
 6
 Q 6 2
 J 5 4 3 2
 K J 4 2
 
Q: 2 - What do you lead as West?
SouthWestNorthEast
--1Pass
1 NTPass2Pass
2 NTPass3 NTPass
PassPass


 Your choice:
A: 6 – What? He has gotten crazy! He wants us to lead a singleton against 3NT!

Let's think a little bit about the bidding. N/S have not found a fit in spades, so your partner has at least five of them. Also, South has indicated that he has stoppers in Clubs and Hearts, so leading one of those suits bears the risk of running into a tenace.

A spade lead will certainly allow your partner to get on lead and, after seeing the dummy, to play through South's tenaces!

When it comes to leads, never say never!

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 3

  Your Hand
 J 10 9
 Q 7 2
 K J 6 3 2
 7 2
 
Q: 3 - What do you lead as West?
SouthWestNorthEast
1 NTPassPassPass


 Your choice:
A: J – Against 3NT, you would have to lead a Diamond, because it would be your best chance to set the contract.

Against 1NT, however, there is no rush; you'll get on lead several times. You'll want to establish your diamonds, but it would be ideal if your partner leads them. Therefore, you need to lead a neutral suit, spades, and wait!


Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 4

  Your Hand
 8 7 5 3
 7 6 5 2
 J 10 9 2
 7
 
Q: 4 - What do you lead as West?
SouthWestNorthEast
---1
1 NTPass2Pass
2Pass3 NTPass
PassPass


 Your choice:
A: 7 – How will you beat this contract? Your opponents have enough points, so you'll need to establish tricks from a long suit.

It is true that your partner does not have to have length in Clubs, but if he does not, what other suit will you establish ? None !

Therefore, the only thing that you can do is to hope that your partner has five or six Clubs and lead for him.

If this deal was played in a pairs tournament, it would probably better to lead a neutral J because it doesn't bear the risk of giving away a tenth or eleventh trick if your partner does not have good clubs.

Your result so far:
Open Question

Question 5

  Your Hand
 K J 6 3 2
 9 8 6
 K 2
 8 3 2
 
Q: 5 - What do you lead as West?
SouthWestNorthEast
1 NTPass4 NTPass
PassPass


 Your choice:
A: 3 – There was a trap here.... that there is no trap !

Even against 4NT you always need to lead the fourth best from your longest and strongest suit. Here, you are likely to get on lead again with a Diamond, and the only chance of beating the contract comes from the spades.

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

Rate yourself:

0 - 40% We applaud your effort.
Review the subject and try again. You'll be surprised how much better you'll do.
We're here for you!!
41 - 50% Buy your mentor a cuppa and ask for clarification on the ones you got wrong.
No mentor? Make finding one a priority!
51 - 60% Nice improvement! One more review and you'll have this down solid!
61 - 80% What a good job! All that's left is some fine tuning
Over 80% Wow! It's time for you to become a mentor. Find someone who needs help and share your knowledge!