Leading from a sequence or not? by Matthias Huberschwiller

A: ♦3 – Leading your singleton could allow you to get ruffs with your small trumps if you partner can get on lead with a diamond or with the ace of trumps. It is therefore the priority compared to the sequence in spades.

Your result so far:

A: ♦A – The difference with the previous hand is the height of the sequence.

The lead from ace-king is excellent because it allows you to see the dummy and stay on lead. You can switch to your singleton heart in Trick Two if this looks to be the good defense at the sight of dummy.


Your result so far:

A: ♠6 – There is no reason not to lead from your beautiful five-card suit.

But which card? Two touching honours do not count as a sequence against a No-trump contract.
Therefore you need to lead your fourth best, the six.


Your result so far:

A: ♦Q – Here, you have the choice between two sequences: in spades and in diamonds.

How should you chose?

The sequence in diamonds, even if the highest card is only the queen, is more solid because you have four touching honours and therefore there is no risk of giving away a trick.

Now imagine you lead a spade and declarer has A-J-10. In this case, you give him a trick as you have K-Q behind him.


Your result so far:

A: ♣K – As your opponents have announces nine cards in spades, there is not much reason to lead a trump. Declarer can always get his ruffs.

So you are left with the choice between your singleton diamond and the sequence in clubs.

Have a look at your trump holding: You are sure to get a trick there. So you would ruff with “your money”, which is not very interesting. On the contrary, you need to lead from your sequence in clubs in order to establish tricks there as quickly as possible.


Your result so far: