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Detail specifications 71AP - Level 2

The lead in a 2 spade contract

The lead in a 2 spade contract.

  • The bidding went: East North West South 1 spade - 2 spades

    • In this situation both sides hold about 20 points. No room for error...a bad lead and the Declarer will make his contract.
    • You know the Declarer has 5 spades. If he had 6 he would have made a 3 spade game proposal.
    • You also know that you mustn't make them a present of a trick.

SWNE
1 Pique
Pass 2 Pique Pass Pass
Pass
    
    
    
King Spades
4 Spades
3 Spades
King Hearts
8 Hearts
King Clubs
Jack Clubs
6 Clubs
3 Clubs
King Diamonds
Jack Diamonds
3 Diamonds
2 Diamonds
QCM 2806
No presents with a diamond, club or heart lead! Lead trumps then.
 
 
What not to do!
  • Never lead under an ace.
  • Never lead with an ace unless you also have the king.
  • Never lead with a tenace king jack. No presents!
  • Don't lead a singleton if you have trump honors or else you will be ruffing with good money!
  • Lastly, avoid leading a singleton trump.
SWNE
1 Pique
Pass 2 Pique Pass Pass
Pass
    
    
    
Queen Spades
Jack Spades
9 Spades
2 Hearts
10 Clubs
9 Clubs
7 Clubs
6 Clubs
Ace Diamonds
Jack Diamonds
9 Diamonds
7 Diamonds
3 Diamonds
QCM 2810
Don't lead with a singleton when you have trump honors. Here choose the 10 of clubs, top of a small sequence.
 
 
The good leads/font>

   A suit topped with ace king or king queen.
   A singleton or a doubleton unless you want to protect trump honors.
   A sequence of honors.
   With two sequences, choose the highest sequence in the shortest suit.
SWNE
1 Pique
Pass 2 Pique Pass Pass
Pass
    
    
    
6 Spades
King Hearts
Queen Hearts
10 Hearts
Queen Clubs
6 Clubs
3 Clubs
2 Clubs
Jack Diamonds
10 Diamonds
9 Diamonds
8 Diamonds
4 Diamonds
QCM 2805
The king of hearts is an excellent lead if you hold the queen, as here.