MSO World: Bridge Articles

Are you sitting comfortably? Fine, try you hand at a lead problem.

If you consistently make the best lead you will always be in contention for every event you play in.

You have the South cards:

Board 10
All Vul
Dealer East

	Q 6
	6
	Q 5 3
	A J 10 9 8 3 2

This is how the auction unfolds:

West	North	East	South
		2	3
Pass	3	4	Pass
5	Pass	5	Pass
6	Pass	6	All Pass

Well? The stakes are high but the rewards for a successful lead will be great.

Let's consider the evidence:

East has shown a heart suit and then cue bid in diamonds while West has cue bid in clubs and diamonds.

Partner has bid spades but so presumably one of the opponents has that suit under control.

So gentle reader, what do you lead?

At the table South tried the ace of clubs.

Time for us to take a look at the full deal:

Board 10
All Vul
Dealer East

A K 9 7 2

10 2

7 6 2

7 5 4

J 10 8

	N
W		E
	S

5 4 3

9 4

A K Q J 8 7 5 3

K J 10 9 8

A 4

K Q 6

Q 6

Q 5 3

A J 10 9 8 3 2

As you can see, the ace of clubs was not a great success!

I hope you selected a spade - leading partner's suit is a sure way to keep them happy, particularly when it results in the defeat of a slam.

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