Page 77 - Learn Bridge Ver2_Neat

At the moment we are going to assume that overtricks do not matter
and we are only trying to defeat the contract.

Consider this hand -
Í A 10 8 6 4
Ì 9 8 4
Ë K Q 6 3
The correct lead depends on the contract.
Ê 6
Yes, from a given hand, what is a great lead against one contract
would be terrible against another.

The lead against notrump.

Suppose the opponents were in game in notrumps. What would you
lead if they had shown 27 points between them?
Partner has 4 points. If he has got good spades we must lead a spade.
If he has got poor spades and an entry we want a spade led back when he
is in. Lead Í6 (fourth highest).

Hearts are trumps.

Now assume that they are in a heart game. We must hope that partner
has ÊA and lead a club, if partner has the Ace and wins and returns
another club we can trump it. Hopefully, we then make a diamond and a
spade.

Clubs are trumps.

Finally, assume they are in a club part score with only 23 points
between them. Partner has got 8 points now. Here we lead the Ë3 as
partner needs only the Ace or the Jack to set us some tricks up here.

The discussion above helps us find the suit to lead now we must
choose the correct card. This is a mechanical process in that we decide,
with partner’s help, what we will lead in a given situation and put it on a
chart.

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