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What a difference a lead..or a switch can make!

I am not saying you should find the winning lead in the deal below. Even if you do not, then perhaps you should still find the correct defence to beat the flimsy game. However, it is interesting to reflect on the difference an opening lead might make.

 

North-South were playing a 15-17 1NT opening system. So, when South opened 1 and then bid 2NT, they were showing 12-14 hcp, maybe even 11! North showed what is called a “delayed game raise”, 12-14 hcp, maybe slightly more,  and at least 3 spades. So, what would you lead?

There are 2 unbid suits and it looks fairly normal to lead J with the heart lead being unnecessarily aggressive. However, there is another option. We know North has at least 4 diamonds and that South, by bidding 2NT, should have at least 2, maybe even 3. So, the chances are that your partner might be very short of diamonds. Did you see how many diamonds you had? Come on, give it a go….lead a small diamond. Bullseye!

 

South Deals N-S Vul	♠ K 7 4 ♥ 9 6 3 ♦ A K Q 9 2 ♣ 5 3
♠ Q ♥ A Q ♦ J 8 6 4 3 ♣ J 10 9 7 6	N W   E S	♠ J 6 5 2 ♥ 10 8 7 4 2 ♦ — ♣ A Q 8 4
	♠ A 10 9 8 3 ♥ K J 5 ♦ 10 7 5 ♣ K 2

 

South cannot risk playing low from dummy. So, your partner ruffs A and looks for an entry to your hand. They may play A and you must discourage a club continuation if they do. So, East switches to a low heart. In desperation, hoping you have under-led the A, South plays K losing to your ace. In giving your partner a second diamond ruff, play J asking your partner to return the higher of the other 2 non-trump suits. So, a second heart is played. Your Q wins. Then a third diamond ruff and either 10 is high or else you can ruff the third round of hearts. Declarer should manage the remaining tricks but that is 4 down, -400, great defending.

A Different Outcome

Say, though, you had led J. East takes A and might return a club, hoping you had led from KJ10. That could be disastrous for the defence. South wins and can play a spade to the Q and K in dummy. Then, they play 7 and cross  their fingers and play low from their hand. 2 more rounds of trumps takes care of East’s trumps. South has a shock when they play a diamond to the ace. At that point, they are best to play a diamond to 10. West wins that trick and all the defence can then take is 1 heart trick, South’s other 2 hearts being discarded on high diamonds….making 10 tricks…+620!

Game Beating Switches

Of course, after J initial lead, at trick 2 or trick 3, East may switch to a heart. By East winning trick 1 with A, West knows that South holds the K. Therefore, there is only one suit left to try, diamonds! The result should be the same as an opening diamond lead…-400 as there is still time for East to score 3 ruffs.

One defender has to lead diamonds or their partner must find the correct  switch after a club lead, staying away from a second round of clubs. As you can see above, the end result could be hugely different if a club is continued at trick 2. +400 or - 620!

Richard Solomon

 

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