Leads Quiz 210 by David

A: ♥K. It would be unwise to lead a diamond with 14 HCP in your hand, and partner marked with almost nothing. David Jones led the ♥K. In his system, an ace lead asks for attitude and a king lead requests a count signal. This was the deal:

                    ♠ 8 4 3
                    ♥ Q 7 6 4
                    ♦ 10 2
                    ♣ 6 5 3 2

♠ 9 6 2                          ♠ K Q J 5
♥ J 10 8 3 2                    ♥ 9
♦ Q J 7                         ♦ A 5 4 3
♣ J 7                             ♣ A K Q 4

                    ♠ A 10 7
                    ♥ A K 5
                    ♦ K 9 8 6
                    ♣ 10 9 8

North, Marc Smith, duly signaled his count with the ♥7, the ♥9 appearing from declarer. Knowing the heart position, Jones continued with the ♥5 to partner's queen. Smith returned the ♠8, declarer's ♠K winning. Another top spade went to South's ace and he exited with the ♠10. Declarer crossed to the ♣J and ran the ♦Q, losing to the king. A rather special defense had put 3NT one down.

Your result so far:

A: ♠5. It was normal to lead a spade after the raise from partner. This was the deal:

                    ♠ A 7 4
                    ♥ J 8
                    ♦ J 7 6 2
                    ♣ K Q 10 8

♠ J 3                              ♠ Q 10 6
♥ 10 7 6 5                       ♥ A K Q 4 3 2
♦ Q 10 3                          ♦ A 5
♣ J 9 7 5                        ♣ A 3

                    ♠ K 9 8 5 2
                    ♥ 9
                    ♦ K 9 8 4
                    ♣ 6 4 2

Richard Plackett, South, won the spade return with the king and now had to return a club to beat the contract. When he tried the ♦4 instead, the contract was made. Declarer played the 10 to the jack and ace, but could then lead towards the ♦Q to establish a club discard.

Your result so far: