BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

WHAT should West lead? THE important bid to note here is East’s double of the final 3NT contract because this is a request for a lead of dummy’s side-suit, hearts.

East did not intervene over the opening 1 ♥ bid and, therefore, it is probable that he was lying in wait in the hope of being able to double a heart contract.

As the opponents have gone out into No Trumps, he wants to make sure that the attack will come in this suit, probably because he hopes to get it cleared before any possible entry card he may hold is extracted.

Without the double, West would lead the ♣ J; but with the double, he should lead the ♥ 7, even though it is a singleton.