Page 76 - Learn Bridge Ver2_Neat

a bad lead that can allow an impossible contract to come home.

The opening lead.

This is our big chance to show partner the best way to attack the hand.
It is the start of the defence and then both defenders will normally go
along that particular line. Normally the opening leader’s partner will
continue along that line unless he has a clear idea that there is something
better.

Leads against a notrump contract.

By and large leads against notrump contracts are easier than leads
against a suit because there are fewer choices. These are -

! Attacking leads. These aim to build tricks for our side. These
tricks usually consist of lower honours or low cards that we hope
to make when the opponents have run out of the suit.
! Passive leads. These simply aim not to give the opponents a trick
that they could not have won without our help.

Leads against a trump contract.

When we are leading to a trump contract as well as the choices we
had against notrump contracts we must also consider these choices -
! For a ruff. This most often occurs when you have a singleton in a
side suit but it can work with a doubleton. You are hoping for
partner to win a trick while you have trumps left to give you a ruff
with a little trump. You should only look for this play when you
have very little strength because partner must be able to get in and
give you the ruff.
! For partner to ruff. This occurs when you have length in a suit
and you hope your partner is short.
! A forcing game. This is a difficult concept and occurs when you
have long or very short trumps. It consists of making the declarer
ruff enough times to lose control of the trump suit.

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