Why we should not lead a doubleton? by linda j green

Short suit leads are very overrated especially when you hold one honor.
Short suit leads should be avoided for the following reasons:
a. When you have long trumps or sure trump tricks, you should lead your longest suit to try and shorten declarer in trumps in anticipation to lose control of the hand.
b. When your trump holding doesn't need a ruff and are natural tricks anyway.
c. Honor doubletons give away the other missing touching honor to declarer eliminating a loser in the suit.
Let us try and decide a short suit lead or not?

Question 1

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

Q: 1 - As South what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1NT
Pass	3NT	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: 9♥.Holding all the remaining high card points we cannot expect our partner to have anything. Lead PASSIVE- a doubleton and play the waiting game!

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 2

Your Hand
♠ 9 4
♥ K J 8 4 3 2
♦ 9 8 5
♣ J 2

Q: 2 - As South what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	1♥	Pass	1NT
Pass	3NT	Pass	Pass
Pass

A: 9♦. West opened a heart so that is no discussion.Partner had the opportunity to overcall a spade so that doubleton is out!!An unsupported J♣ is out! So with no other choice lead the top of nothing.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 3

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

Q: 3 - As South what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
Pass	2♠	Pass	4♠
Pass	Pass	Pass

A: Q♣ This doubleton has a touching honor so it is safe to show partner that you hold the Jack. You cannot lead an unsupported Ace♦.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 4

Your Hand
♠ A J 3 2
♥ Q J 2
♦ Q 5 4 3
♣ 9 2

Q: 4 - As South what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♠
Pass	1NT	Pass	3♠*
Pass	Pass	Pass

* Invitational- All jumps in old suits are not forcing

A: 3♦ As you have natural trump tricks do not lead a short suit. Lead your longest suit in anticipation to shorten declarer.

Your result so far:

Open Question

Question 5

Your Hand
♠ J 6 5
♥ 7 3
♦ Q J 10
♣ A 9 6 4 3

Q: 5 - As South what suit do you lead?

South	West	North	East
-	-	-	1♣
Pass	1♦	Pass	1♠
Pass	2♥*	Pass	3♦
Pass	3♠	Pass	4♠
Pass	Pass	Pass

* 4th Suit = artificial - the unbid suit. Asks for shape or delayed support or a stopper in that suit.

A: 7♥. Here is a situation where neither opener nor responder had a stopper in the 4th suit looking for a NT contract. A doubleton lead stands out a mile

Your result so far:

Open Question

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