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A Valid Reason.

Deciding what to lead at trick 1 can be a nightmare. Even when you have such an obvious lead, you can see immediately dummy appears that you have done wrong. In recent memory (only yesterday!), after a 1NT-3NT short and sharp sequence, I selected Q from QJ95 and had it on the table virtually before the bidding was over. (you know..good suit…dummy having no interest in a major contract…obvious, really). Dummy, of course (why not partner!) went down with K104 and declarer (why not partner!) produced the ace.

Another failure though it was the most obvious lead from my hand and backfired, totally.

So, if you lead what you think is right, and have a valid reason for doing so, then, one hopes, the words “bad luck” can come from your partner’s lips. There was a very valid reason to lead the K, the unbid suit, from KQ864 against the following 4 contract, with the problem we gave you yesterday. The lead did not exactly backfire (no Jxx in dummy and Ax in declarer’s hand...actually, there was!) but just maybe, you could have done better:

 

Your opponents are playing Acol, meaning 2 was not forcing. Yet, something persuaded South to go directly to game. Your lead?

It may have been that they had extra shape, though if they were 5-5 in the majors, they should have bid 3 as North might have 3 hearts and only 2 spades. However, it is very dangerous telling the opponents what they should have bid when you are sitting in the difficult opening leader’s seat.

It could be that South was maximum for their 2 bid, around a 15 count which together with their partner’s known 10+ hcp (or, since they were playing Acol, close to 10hcp) meant they should be playing game.

Did you notice the other significant feature in your hand, your heart holding? You know declarer will need to do something with potential or real losers in that suit…and it could just be that declarer might need to use dummy’s trumps. If dummy has two hearts and three spades, a possibility, they will have to lose the lead to you. So, you have a valid reason to lead a trump and when in with the K, lead another one.

You have a valid reason, and although the play did not go quite as you anticipated, it did not backfire, either.

 

Playing Acol, I too would have upgraded my 8 count to a 2 response, so much potential in spades. Had South bid 3 over 2, then North should go all the way to the spade game..and then, perhaps, the successful lead would have been even more obvious.

J75 opposite AT in dummy and declarer’s hands. Does that sound familiar? “Yes” but not in the same way as normal. You never had and never would make a club trick. On the lead of the K, declarer can win, cash A, play A and ruff a heart to be followed by K discarding 10 from hand.

Now a club ruff and a second heart ruff and a second club ruff..and a third heart ruff (with A). Now back to hand with a diamond ruff and you still have QJ and J. You already have 10 tricks and are certain to make an overtrick.

Not so on a trump lead. Declarer follows the same route with the minor cards and ruffs two hearts in dummy, crossing back to hand with first A and then a club ruff. Declarer has 8 tricks and these 5 cards left in their hand:

 QJ9

J7

However, they still have to lose both to the K and K and cannot draw the outstanding trump and enjoy the heart winner. Contract made, but no overtrick, very significant at Pairs. So, that trump lead was a winner….and some!

What actually happened

Let’s go back to trick 1. We are assuming that declarer did the right thing and rose with the A. They did not, hoping the lead was away from the king. East’s king won with trumps continued. With only one entry to dummy, declarer could not use the diamond suit, the contract failing by one trick.

When you have a valid reason to make a good lead, and it works, you have a very good feeling. Remember, though, a reason for leading a trump being that “I did not know what to lead” is never a valid reason…even if it turns out to be a brilliancy!

and if it turned out that you had two quick club tricks to take, while dummy had AKJxx opposite declarer's singleton, partner will, of course reflect on your bad luck, won't they! 

You are not on lead now (well, you were at trick 1!) but defending…and it is not some routine part-score or game. The opponents have gone the whole way! 7NT!

 

After a negative or waiting 2 bid, South shows a little bit of life with their 2 call but no interest in their partner’s red suits. Nevertheless, out comes Gerber with South having the only ace and king you cannot see in dummy.

That’s enough for North who puts his partner to grand. You lead the 6 (good choice) with everyone following to three top diamonds. On the fourth round, your partner discards the 3 (low encourage) and declarer the 2. Which card do you discard?

See you tomorrow.

Richard Solomon

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