BRIDGE MASTERCLASS

YOU are on lead against the bidding shown. What would you lead and why? tHE one thing you must not lead is your partner’s suit — he has tried to pre-empt the opposition out of reaching their optimum contract.

In spite of this, they have gone on to a slam, and East has now made a Lightener Lead Directing double. this warns you off leading his suit and says that he still has hopes of defeating 6 ♦ , if you pick the right thing to do.

Here, your own hand makes the choice pretty easy — you will lead dummy’s side suit, hearts. It’s odds on that East has a heart void and that his hopes are centred on getting in a first-round heart ruff, plus making a trick with the ♠ A to defeat the contract.

Accept partner’s request. Another thing you can see from your own hand is that, with partner able to jump to 3 ♠ , there is no hope of making two defensive spade tricks.