The Bridge Column

New players are given a lot of rules to learn. Their ability to play is dependent on their ability to remember these rules at the table. In the process of gaining experience, players begin to understand the reasons for these rules. They learn that these are not really rules at all, just logical guidelines. When they reach that level, they can identify situations that provide a good opportunity to break one of the rules.

One of these rules refers to opening leads. We are taught to lead “fourth from our longest and strongest” suit. Should that suit be headed by the ace, however, we can only lead that suit against a notrump contract. Defending against notrump, we are trying to develop our long cards in the suit as tricks. Declarer cannot stop these tricks from cashing by ruffing them. Against a suit contract, however, where long cards in our suit rarely take tricks, it is considered too dangerous to lead away from an ace. Not only might the lead give away a trick, but you might never get to take your ace.

In today’s deal, West listened carefully to the auction. South was not able to show a control in diamonds, the only unbid suit. With no standout lead, West tried the deceptive effect of leading a low diamond. South, believing that a player was most unlikely to underlead an ace, played dummy’s jack. East won with the queen and led a heart to West’s ace. Another low diamond put declarer on the spot. He played low from dummy as East scooped up his 10 and led a diamond to partner’s ace. Call the cops!