Cy’s non-killing lead

Look at today’s West hand and the auction. Choose your opening lead against 3NT.

“I’ll admit my dummy play isn’t sharp,” Cy the Cynic told me, “and my bidding can be slapdash. But I’ll match my opening leads against anyone’s.”

Cy went off to prove his point in a Chicago game and soon faced a lead problem as today’s West. He opened one club, but North-South bid strongly to game. Cy led ... a club. South won and forced out the ace of diamonds, and all the Cynic could do was cash his other aces. Making four.

KNACK

“What about your knack for finding a killing lead?” I asked mildly.

Cy must have thought “fourth from the longest and strongest” was automatic. But South appeared to have the clubs well stopped, and North had shown a good hand with long diamonds. Cy needed fast tricks; his best hope lay with the spades. Since East was marked with nothing, Cy had no cause to lead low to keep communication. He should lead the ace of spades — a big success in this deal.

DAILY QUESTION

You hold: ♠ AJ92 ♥ 72 ♦ A8 ♣ A 10 8 7 2. Your partner opens one heart, you respond two clubs, he bids two diamonds and you try two spades. Partner then rebids three hearts. What do you say?

ANSWER: Your partner suggests six hearts, four diamonds and better than minimum values. If he had a minimum, he would have rebid two hearts to limit his strength. Bid six hearts. That will be a good spot if partner holds 8, A Q J 10 8 6, K Q 6 5, K 5. West dealer Both sides vulnerable Opening lead — Choose it