THE aCEs

Which card do you think it is right to lead from king-nineeight-low against no-trump contracts? We would usually lead the fourth-highest, but others seem to prefer the nine.

Sometimes the nine costs a trick, but it may also be the correct technical card to allow your side to continue the suit when dummy has A-10-x and declarer has Q-7-x. Leading fourth-highest instead would freeze the suit, even if partner worked out to play low from jack-third. Since the nine is rarely led from long suits in normal methods, it can be a useful agreement to lead the nine from this holding.

You pick up K-J-7-4, A-QJ-7-5, A-9-5, 10 and see partner open one spade. What would you bid?

dschI would like to have a Jacoby two-no-trump call available, game-forcing with at least fourcard spade support. This hand has a bit too much playing strength for a splinter bid of four clubs, which should be reserved for slightly weaker hands. (In general, spaceconsuming calls should be welldefined.) I intend to follow up with a cue-bid at my second turn, but it might depend on what partner shows.

How much do you think one should signal count or attitude in defense?

There is a fine line between helping partner and helping declarer. I would say that you should signal count (never attitude) on declarer’s lead honestly in the early game, when the defenders are most in the dark, if your partner needs to know. you should mix it up later on if the information is less likely to be critical to partner. It is hard to weigh at times. As declarer, trust the defenders’ early signals, but not the later ones.

I didn’t know what to do when dealt 4, A-J, A-K-9-8-5-4-3, A-5-3. At game all, it started with two passes to my righthand opponent, who opened two hearts. What would you do?

cshdyou should not double, since you are not prepared for partner to bid spades, and you have too much for three diamonds. I would try three no-trump, a practical effort, hoping the diamonds come in. If your left-hand opponent is up to finding a spade lead, more power to him.