Page 79 - Learn Bridge Ver2_Neat

! Notice that A K and some small cards are in the chart twice
(1)
(Marked ). First, we always lead the Ace against a trump contract.
However against notrump it is a little harder. Sometimes it tells us
to lead the Ace and sometimes a small card. Which do we choose?
We lead the Ace when we have a certain entry in another suit and
a small card when we do not (see example 1 below).
! The honour sequence leads are fairly safe and yet can often build
early tricks. They should be used as often as possible.
! The fourth highest sequences promise an honour.
! With a long suit without an honour lead second highest.
! You should only choose a doubleton lead when you are quite
weak. This will mean that partner has some strength to take the
lead and give you your ruff. This is less true about a singleton lead
as partner will have to get in less often.
! Remember, when you lead you are trying to tell partner how to
defend the hand. If you mislead him he will get the defence wrong
and you would not want that would you?

Examples of choosing the lead.

In these examples Dummy is East and you are South.

Example 1.
Dummy
Í K 7 6 3
Partner has announced 7 points and the declarer 14.
Ì Q 8 4
He has gone game in notrump. Ë 9 5 2
You Ê A Q 6
Partner will probably need a diamond honour to Í 10 5
defeat this contract or an entry to lead diamonds back Ì J 10 5
Ë A K 6 4 3
to me. We hope to make 4 diamonds and a card from
Ê 9 5 2
partner. Lead the Ë4.

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