Lead can make such a difference

Oscar Wilde wrote, “The advantage of the emotions is that they lead us astray, and the advantage of science is that it is not emotional.”

Archimedes, while on his “Eureka!” run, apparently got quite emotional, but we know what Wilde meant.

When you are on lead at the bridge table, analyze the auction. Then, most of the time, you will find the best opening salvo — but not always. Look at today's West hand. What would you lead against three no-trump?

North's move over one notrump is debatable. Usually, when your maximum combined count is 25, do not look for game with balanced hands. In this instance, yes, if a 4-4 spade fit exists, game might be makable. But surely at least one of North's jacks will be worthless. Of course, to make me seem to be leading you astray, both jacks were useless, but when West led the club queen, South immediately claimed one club, four diamonds and four spades.

This deal was played in three no-trump by South 10 times at Bridge Base Online. Three declarers were favored by the club-queen lead, but seven faced a heart start. What happened then?

East took the first three tricks with his heart honors, West following suit with the two, three and five. Since West had always played his lowest heart, East read them as suit-preference signals for clubs. So, at trick four, he shifted to the club seven. Now South, in desperation, put up his king. West won with his ace and cashed his other two club honors and the heart 10 to defeat the contract by three tricks.