Queries 9R02 Main
Opening Leads
by Richard PavlicekQueries 9R02 Main |
| by Richard Pavlicek |
This page contains selected queries to “Ask Richard” related to the above title, though discussion may include other topics. Presentation is reverse-chronological. Names, greetings and personal messages have been removed to respect privacy and focus on bridge.
Queries and follow-ups by the enquirer are shown like this.
| West | North | East | South | IMPs | 3 NT South | |
| 1 NT | None vul | |||||
| Pass | 3 NT | Pass | Pass | |||
| Pass | ||||||
 A K 2 |  | |||||
 10 9 7 3 | ||||||
 J 9 8 2 | ||||||
 J 3 | ||||||
What would you lead against 3 NT, and how strongly do you feel about it?
Not even close; the K (or ace depending on agreements).
I once did a double-dummy simulation on almost the same situation, whether to lead from A-K-x or 10-9-8-7, and was surprised to see the K win by a wide margin. The number of quick sets vastly outnumbered the tempo/trick losses allowing 3 NT to make. At matchpoints, judged by average tricks (ignoring make/set) it was close, but the K still had a slight edge. Weakening the hearts to 10-9-7-3 should make the K an even bigger winner.
This deal was played at four tables, and all defenders (including me) led the 10. Partner had Q-x-x-x-x, so the K was indeed the winning lead. I was concerned about conceding a tempo when I decided against the K.
| West | North | East | South | Any scoring | 7 South
| |
| 1 | 1 | Pass | 2 | N-S vul | ||
| 4 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |||
| Pass | Pass | Dbl | Rdbl | |||
| Pass | Pass | 7 | 7 | 4 |  | |
| All Pass | K 6 2 | |||||
| A K Q 8 5 4 3 2 | ||||||
| 4 | ||||||
What should West lead? And is it clear-cut?
Clear-cut? When was the last time your partner doubled six but passed when they went to seven? Nothing is clear on auctions like this. I suspect partner’s double was Lightner asking for a heart lead (dummy’s suit), but if void he would probably double 7 to reaffirm it. Maybe he has the A and the N-S hands are x Q-J-10-9-x-x x K-J-x-x-x opposite A-K-Q-J-x-x-x-x x A-Q-x-x. Or maybe I’m dreaming, but I lead a heart.
I do not like West’s 4 bid — too easy, as 95 percent of the time it’s just a transfer to the opponents’ comfortable home in four of a major. Much better is five diamonds to apply some pressure.
| West | North | East | South | Total points | A 8 6 2
| |
| Pass | Pass | 2 | Both vul | Q 10 4 3
| ||
| Pass | 2 | Pass | 2 | 9 7 4
| ||
| Pass | 3 | Pass | 3 | J 6
| ||
| Pass | 4 | Pass | 7 | 10 7 |  | J 9 4 3
|
| All Pass | 8 2 | 5
| ||||
| Q 8 6 5 | J 10 2
| |||||
| K Q 7 4 2 | 10 9 8 5 3
| |||||
| K Q 5
| ||||||
| A K J 9 7 6
| ||||||
| A K 3
| ||||||
| 7 South | A | |||||
What should West lead?
The K is a standout, but I suppose a few experts might lead a trump. Either allows the grand to make. Only a diamond lead defeats it by breaking up the double squeeze, but I would be suspicious of anyone who chose that at the table.
| Queries 9R02 Main | | Top Opening Leads |
© 2012 Richard Pavlicek