Bridge

I came across an interesting concept propounded by Eddie Kantar in the magazine Bridge Today. (Website: bridgetoday.com) Kantar suggests that from AKQ(x)(x)(x) you should lead the queen. Partner is unlikely to be confused, and should automatically give count. Depending on which card opener plays next tells you if he started with an odd or even number in the suit.

The queen followed by the ace shows an odd number, and followed by the king – even. A further advantage is that if you lead the lead the ace or king, according to your regular methods, it denies possession of the queen. You can see the benefits on this hand.

Against Four Hearts, (West having overcalled in spades) West leads the queen of spades and continues with ace. East knows that declarer started with an odd number, so when West follows with the king, can safely discard, rather than ruff with the jack to ensure a one-trick defeat.

Now, if West is really on the ball, he will play a fourth spade on which East plays the jack of trumps, to take the contract two off. (Or discards if a top trump is played from dummy, and collects two trump tricks later).

Had West followed the lead of the queen with the king then East knows that West started with an even number, and when the ace is played, trumps with the jack to ensure the contract goes down.

Even if a defender has AKQ bare, adopting his method lets partner know who holds the thirteenth spade.