Another Lead

West selected the deuce of diamonds for dummy's ace as South passed the queen of spades to the king. West cashed the queen of diamonds and exited with a spade. Declarer followed with the ace and king of hearts and cashed the jack of spades as East parted with a diamond but South a club. An advance of the jack of clubs was covered by the queen and declarer could claim the contract, N-S +620.

West had found the most effective lead, to be sure, but a diamond simply had to be right. The opponents had bid all other suits and driven to the major game.

If he mistakenly begins with a club, declarer will corral an overtrick by discarding a diamond on the fourth club after cashing the top hearts. A spade beginning would be even worse, permitting South to bring home twelve tricks losing only the heart queen. Declarer would be able to dispose of a diamond from dummy on the fourth club and trump a diamond on the table to emerge with two overtricks. The opening lead is often the source of profits and losses and this deal was no exception.

Author: Dave Willis - visit his website at www.insidebridge.ca

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