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Detail specifications 71BP - Level 2

Q lead in a NT contract

King lead in a NT contract
Leading a K in a NT contract promises a very solid suit, with at least 4 cards... That's a "selfish" lead. Lead the K when you hold
  • KQJ97
  • KQ1096
  • AKJ10

When you hold :
KQ 3rd, or even 4th lead the Q to makes the difference with a K lead.
Leading Q is looking for a complement in your partner's hand...
SWNE
1 SA
Pass 3 SA Pass Pass
Pass
    
    
    
6 Spades
3 Spades
2 Spades
King Hearts
Queen Hearts
5 Hearts
6 Clubs
5 Clubs
4 Clubs
7 Diamonds
6 Diamonds
5 Diamonds
2 Diamonds
Exercise 3695 Q . Your partner has around 10 HCP, most probably in the majors. Leading is a good idea. But the K would show a solid suit... The 5 would block the suit (K and Q would remain and communications would be impossible). Q is the only option.
 
 
Q lead in a NT contract
A Q lead shows 2 types of suit : with or without the K
  • A 3 cards sequence, most of the time in a 4 carder. Par example, lead Q with QJ10x, and with QJ9x (broken sequence), but lead 2 with QJ62 (that's actually not a sequence)
  • If you hold KQx, lead Q. A K lead would promise a minimum of 4 cards with 3 honors ! This happens in majors rather than in minors.

SWNE
1 SA Pass 3 SA
Pass Pass Pass
    
    
    
Queen Spades
Jack Spades
9 Spades
8 Spades
9 Hearts
7 Hearts
4 Hearts
7 Clubs
4 Clubs
2 Clubs
King Diamonds
6 Diamonds
2 Diamonds
Exercise 3804 Q is the right choice. Top of a sequence takes priority over a 4th best card. The sequence is not perfect, but the 9 makes up for the 10. QJ108 would be a perfect sequence.
 
 
Your partner's choice
Your partner will give an attitude signal. Zia's advice is to play a low spot card to show interest. Doing so, you save an intermediate card which could be useful later on. But make sure you and your partner agree on the same signal system ....
SWNE
1 SA Pass 3 SA
Pass Pass Pass
 Q  
   3
    
Queen Spades
10 Spades
7 Spades
7 Hearts
6 Hearts
King Clubs
10 Clubs
9 Clubs
Ace Diamonds
King Diamonds
Jack Diamonds
5 Diamonds
King Spades
Jack Spades
8 Spades
5 Spades
9 Hearts
8 Hearts
5 Hearts
8 Clubs
5 Clubs
2 Clubs
Queen Diamonds
6 Diamonds
2 Diamonds
Exercise 2129 When your partner leads a Q, or an Ace, you must play attitude. In this case, you don't have any honor. Deny the suit, play a high spot card : 9.
 
 
Your partner's choice
Example
SWNE
1 SA Pass 3 SA Pass
Pass Pass
Jack Spades
Ace Hearts
9 Hearts
7 Hearts
9 Clubs
3 Clubs
2 Clubs
Ace Diamonds
Jack Diamonds
9 Diamonds
6 Diamonds
4 Diamonds
 8  
Q   
    
10 Spades
7 Spades
6 Spades
5 Spades
2 Spades
Queen Hearts
10 Hearts
6 Hearts
Ace Clubs
8 Clubs
7 Clubs
7 Diamonds
2 Diamonds
Exercise 4599 You see dummy... and J . Therefore you understand your partner has led for you..with KQ. Play a low spot card, 2 , to show a definite interest in the suit !