Hand of the week commencing
Sunday 1st October 2006
As West what do you now lead
?
|
|
Dealer
East |
ª |
8
6 4
|
|
|
|
|
Both
Vul |
© |
Q
J |
|
|
|
|
|
¨ |
A
K 9 4 |
|
|
|
|
|
§ |
K
Q 6 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
N |
|
|
|
ª |
A
9 3
|
|
|
ª |
K
J 10 7 2 |
|
© |
10
4 |
|
W
E |
© |
A
8 3 2 |
|
¨ |
6
3 |
|
|
¨ |
10
2 |
|
§ |
10
9 8 7 4 3 |
|
|
§ |
J
2 |
|
|
|
|
S |
|
|
|
|
|
ª |
Q
5 |
|
|
|
|
|
© |
K
9 7 6 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
¨ |
Q
J 8 7 5 |
|
|
|
|
|
§ |
A
|
|
|
|
W |
N |
E |
S |
|
|
|
NO |
1© |
|
NO |
2§ |
NO |
2¨ |
|
NO |
2ª |
NO |
3¨ |
|
NO |
5¨ |
NO |
NO |
|
NO |
|
|
|
Have
you listened to the auction or do you merely play leads that “obey Rules” or
should that be “obey suggestions”. If you go strictly by suggestions you
might be tempted to lead the Club 10, after all it’s the highest of a fine
sequence. However if you listened to the auction you know that your opponents
have taken a fourth suit forcing bidding sequence with South rebidding his
Diamonds. This suggests that they have a Spade weakness as they have declined
the favored 3NT option. This pinpoints a distinct Spade problem, and, on this
occasion, your Ace of Spade should be on the table like a flash. With this
active defense the defenders will be able to find their three tricks. East will
encourage at trick one. After winning trick two with his King he will cash his
Heart.
With a
club lead, declarer will make 12 tricks ditching both his club on dummy’s
winning Clubs.