LC07 Opening Leads Lesson Board 2

Take the West hand for Board 2 of the Opening Leads Lesson:

Vul:N-S
Dlr: South		 ♠ 
♥ 
♦ 
♣ 
  
♠ A2
♥ Q764
♦ K987
♣ 1095
   ♠ 
♥ 
♦ 
♣ 
  ♠ 
♥ 
♦ 
♣ 
  

  • We'll start you off with an easy one. South opens 1NT (15-17) and it is your call:

    Choose One:
    1. -

    Pass.

    2. -

    2♠ (conventionally hearts and a minor)

    3. -

    2♠ (conventionally diamonds and a major)

    4. -

    Double

    Answer: 1

    Pass. Of course. If you add a fifth card in hearts or diamonds, we can at least think about coming into the auction.

    Your result so far:
    Next

  • ♠ A2
    ♥ Q764 
    ♦ K987 
    ♣ 1095

    WestNorthEastSouth
           1NT
    Pass 3NT All Pass  

     

    North raises to 3NT and everyone passes.

    What is your opening lead?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    ♠A

    2. -

    ♠4

    3. -

    ♠7

    4. -

    ♠9

    5. -

    ♠10

    Answer: 2

    ♠4. Generally, against notrump, we lead out best/longest suit.

    However, when the opponents don't look for a 4-4 major (no Stayman), we expect dummy won't have 4 cards in either spades or hearts. The odds favor leading the major, even though the diamonds are a little better.

    Your result so far:
    Next

  • This is the full deal. Since we as the teachers get to set it up, you can see that anything but a heart lead is no good.
    With the heart lead, what do you think will happen?

    Choose One:
    1. -

    Declarer will have only 1 heart stopper and after he takes the losing diamond finesse, he will be down 1.

    2. -

    Declarer will have 2 heart stoppers and make the contract easily, possibly with overtricks.

    3. -

    Declarer will have only 1 heart stopper but can make the contract anyway.

    Answer: 3

    Declarer will have only 1 heart stopper but can make the contract anyway.

    No matter what  declarer plays from dummy at trick one, he has only one heart stopper (if he puts up the jack, East covers with the king; if he plays low from dummy, East should not play the king!).

    Whether or not declarer holds up his ♠A, the opponents can always take 3 (but only 3 heart tricks). Declarer can tell from the lead of the ♠4 (4th best) that the suits is 4-4. Declarer can see the ♠32 in dummy. That means West can't have a fifth heart (there are no hearts lower than ♠4 in his hand). Given that hearts are 4-4, declarer should not risk the diamond finesse.

    Declarer should work on spades. That gives him 2 spade tricks to go along with 5 clubs and the 2 red aces.

    On a non-heart lead, declarer can make overtricks (by working on the diamonds).

    Click here to go to Lesson Deal #3.

    Your result so far:
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