Open Leads
Presented by Adam Grossack at the Watertown Sectional on August 19th
1) Lead passively vs. a passive auction lead aggressively vs. aggressive
auctions.
2) Almost always lead a small trump unless you have a holding like Ax or KQJ9x.
From all other doubletons
but Ax lead small
3) It usually doesn't matter if you have a poor trump holding to lead from like
Qxx, Jx, or even Kx for the
people who want to have fun at bridge.Even if you do give up a trick (which
happens more, believe it or not, with
Qxx) it will come back later in play.
4) Partscores generally are better for leading trumps than game auctions simply
because being in a part
score seems less aggressive than being in a game. Vs. aggressive auctions trump
leads aren't as effective
as they are against passive auctions.
5) Don't just lead trump because you have nothing better to lead. Listen to the
auction and think about
whether declarer will need to trump something.
6) Anytime the opponents have an "impossible" auction that doesn't make too much
sense lead trump.
1s p 2s p
p 3h 3s p
4s
When to lead trump
1) Anytime you think a crossruff may be coming, lead a trump. This is an
automatic lead no matter what
the trump holding happens to be.
2) Vs. Grand Slams usually they have strong trumps and you dont want to give
anything away. So a trump
is usually right. Don't lead trump vs. small slams. Usually you need to be more
aggressive and go out and get
your trick(s).
3) Whenever there is an auction where opener (or responder or overcaller or
advancer) gives a choice of suits,
a pass-or-correct auction, and the other person picks one, it is usually right
to lead trumps. Most times declarer
is going to try to ruff his or her other suit in dummy.
4) A Jacoby transfer auction usually calls for a passive lead. Most times they
will have poor trumps between
hem and will try to crossruff. Don't be friendly opponents; lead trumps!
5) Partner passed your takeout double. This could be a potential cross-ruff hand
for the declaring side. Lead trump.
6) Whenever the opponents take a sacrifice vs your game they probably don’t have
a bunch of hcp but have
a bunch of trumps. They'll want to get a crossruff going. Double them and lead
trumps.
When not to lead trumps.
1) If you have a singleton trump think twice before leading it. You almost
always finesse your partner out of a trick.
2) When you are long in trumps (four or more) don't lead a trump unless you are
certain of a crossruff. Work on
setting up your side's suit. And shorten declarer’s trumps so you have the most
at the table.
3) If dummy has a running side suit don’t think about leading trumps-that's what
declarer wants to do. Take
your tricks and try to set up your own
suit.
When to lead a singleton
I have found that people lead singletons way too frequently and therefore
destroy the defense's chance at conning the declarer. The fact is that...
very rarely will you see an expert lead a singleton. But there are times when it
is right.
Vs. an aggressive auction
1d-1h
4h
or
1nt-2c
2h-4h
think about leading a singleton but look for a better alternative if you don't
have trump control.
Lead a singleton with this hand. On this auction.
4s-p-p-p
Axx
x
Qxxxx
QJxx
The opener almost surely doesn’t have heart length so you’re probably not
leading into strength. Your partner
rates to have at least 4 hearts and probably strength. It is an aggressive
auction so singletons are aggressive
and you have trump control. Lead a heart here.
Why not to lead singletons
1) Declarer now will have an easy time counting out the hand. He will shy
away from taking a losing finesse;
or ducking trick one or crossruffing; it just isn't worth it.
2) Partner most likely doesn't have first round control and even if he or she
does, it may blow up a trick in the suit.
3) You probably have something more productive to do like lead a trump or set up
a side suit.
If you can take anything form this lecture understand that opening leads are
very important. Defense is hard;
that’s why the defenders get to make opening leads. Listen to the auction and
think: is it an aggressive auction
or passive, will declarer need to trump anything, should I be getting ruffs
here, should we set up our long suit? Ask yourself these questions, decide your
answers, and lead accordingly.