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Daily Bridge in New Zealand
“Fri-yay Play” for those new to the game.
Leading and not Leading Aces.
One of the guidelines we are given as we learn about the basics of the game is “not to lead unsupported aces”. Let’s see what that means.
In the problem below, we are at trick 1 going to lead the 
A and follow that up with K. Everyone follows to two rounds of clubs, with declarer playing J on the second round. What as West do you lead at trick 3?
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South Deals |
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West |
North |
East |
South |
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you |
dummy |
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1 ♥ |
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2 ♣ |
4 ♥ |
All pass |
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After South opened 1
, you bid 2, having 10+ hcp and a 5- card suit. However, North jumped to game in hearts, having 13 hcp and 4-card trump support for their partner.
It was certainly correct to start with AK which provided two tricks for the defence. The A is a “supported” ace, supported by the card below it, the king. Top of a sequence is usually a great lead, especially when you have a sequence starting with the ace.
What next?
It would be unwise to play a third club especially after seeing the jack from declarer’s hand. There is though a temptation to try the 
A. That is what we call an “unsupported” ace, as you do not hold the king. Bridge is a great game for providing exceptions to rules but here the rule is that you are best to find a lead in a different suit from diamonds (do not lead the A and certainly do not lead a low diamond when you hold the ace). Let’s see why:
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South Deals |
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West |
North |
East |
South |
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you |
dummy |
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1 ♥ |
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2 ♣ |
4 ♥ |
All pass |
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If you lead A, South will take the rest of the tricks, 6 heart tricks, 3 spade tricks and K.
If you play either a heart or a spade at trick 3, the defence will come to 4 tricks and beat the contract.
Say you lead a spade. Declarer wins and can draw the defence’s 3 trumps in 2 rounds and can play 2 more rounds of spades before leading a diamond from the dummy hand, hoping that East has A and therefore that their king will score a trick. Yet, the K loses to the ace and now you play a second diamond to your partner’s hand, four tricks in total for one down.
Patience was needed. Do not lead an ace unless you have the king. There will be times when you wished you had continued with the unsupported ace (especially if by doing so, you beat the contract) but in general, do not lead unsupported aces.
DO NOT BE IN A RUSH TO PLAY ALL YOUR ACES, ESPECIALLY WHEN YOU DO NOT HOLD THE KING OF THE SUIT.
Richard Solomon
Nb. If applicable, please share with new players at your club.
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