This is where the partnership
agreement comes in. On opening lead against a suit contract, with three small
in a suit, common practice is to lead a low one. But an exception occurs when
the opening leader has bid the suit, as she did in the auction above. In such a
case, it is customary to lead the top card, denying an honor, safe in the
knowledge that Partner won’t misread the lead as a doubleton. So, on this deal
it is safe to assume that Partner has a Club honor which, of course, is the
Jack. Anyway, you win the opening lead and must figure out where the defense
might be getting their five tricks.
►
The
♦K
is one … two Club tricks hopefully … surely not more than one Heart (West would
no doubt have led a high Heart holding AK) … and no Spades. That’s only four,
and a Spade ruff is needed to get to five. So, At Trick 2, you shift to a
Spade, leading into Dummy’s imposing suit. Declarer wins that with his Nine,
then loses the trump finesse to your King. You confidently underlead your ♣AK
to West’s Jack, get your Spade ruff, and eventually Partner’s
♥K
becomes the setting trick. Nicely done!
►
|
♠ AQJT7
♥
Q32
♦
A76
♣ 74 |
|
♠ K6532
♥
K86
♦
92
♣ J32 |
North
West East
Declarer |
♠ 4
♥
T95
♦
K84
♣ AKQT85 |
|
♠ 98
♥
AJ74
♦
QJT53
♣ 96 |
|
Of course, West must play low on
that Spade shift, otherwise Declarer’s Heart losers will all disappear.
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