Opening Leads Mix and Match by Andy Hung

A: ♠3.

Before leading a Diamond we should take our Spade tricks while we can. There's no need to 'tell' partner about our ♠K by leading it - in fact, the ♠K lead would promise the ♠Q so we can't do that. Instead, lead the ♠3. Our low Spade lead promises an honor anyway, so partner should be able to work out that we hold the ♠K from the ♠3.

Your result so far:

A: ♦3.

This auction calls out for an aggressive lead. Declarer should have good Spades, and he can use dummy's Clubs for discards, so we must take/establish our tricks as quick as possible!

With the ♦K, it looks right to lead a Diamond.

Your result so far:

A: ♣4.

Trump leads are often regarded as 'giving up' type of leads because you are essentially handing over the tempo advantage that the defense has over to declarer.

However, in this type of situation where your side has the majority of the strength and the opponents are known to be sacrificing, trump leads become very attractive. Why? Well, if your opponents are sacrificing, where do you think they will get their tricks from? They will come from trumps as well as ruffs!

West (dummy) could potentially have three trumps and a side singleton, so a trump lead can cut down those (potential) ruffs. If we have any tricks in the other three suits, fear not, we have control in all three side suits so we are not in a hurry.

Leading the ♠A here could cost if declarer has ♠Kx doubleton, and the ♥K could also cost if declarer has the Ace and dummy has the Jack.

Your result so far:

A: ♦K.

Leading against a 5-level contract or higher, it is good to play Ace leads to ask for attitude, and King leads to ask for count. Here is the perfect spot for it, so lead the ♦K to ask for a count signal. That way, you'll know whether to cash the ♦A at trick two, or to find a switch if you work out that declarer has no more than one Diamond.

Your result so far:

A: ♠A.

This is not a high-level contract, so that special leading convention does not apply. Lead the ♠A here to say you have the ♠K also.

(You can certainly extend the leading convention down to the 4-level with your favorite partner if you wish, but like always, you should always discuss with your partner beforehand.)

Your result so far: