How to lead another suit

Jacques Maritain, a French philosopher and author of more than 60 books, wrote, “A single idea, if it is right, saves us the labor of an infinity of experiences.”

In today's deal, look at the West hand. What would you lead against four hearts after the given auction: a spade (partner's suit) or your single diamond?

South had no clue how four hearts would get on, but it took up the maximum amount of bidding space and could have been cold. It is sensible to treat a jump to game by responder in an unbid suit as to play — unless, of course, opener has such a strong hand that he can envision a slam. (In competition, a jump cue is my only splinter bid.)

Since West has the trump ace, there is a strong case for leading the singleton diamond, despite its being dummy's bid suit. But the spade three is also a sensible choice. (Lead low from a weak tripleton when partner has bid that suit, and you have not supported it.)

Here, either lead should work. After a spade start, declarer will win with dummy's ace, discard his second spade on the club ace and play a trump. However, it shouldn't be hard for West to take that trick and shift to the diamond nine. Then East can take two winners in the suit and give his partner a ruff to defeat the contract.

After a diamond lead, East should be confident that it is a singleton; otherwise, why lead dummy's bid suit? East plays three rounds of the suit, giving West his ruff. Then West says, “We did double, didn't we?”