Dealer: S Vul: E/W
NORTH
♠ A863
♥ K4
♦ J83
♣ Q1072
WEST EAST
♠ J2 ♠ 105
♥ AQ2 ♥ J108652
♦ 754 ♦ A1062
♣ KJ654 ♣ 3
SOUTH
♠ KQ974
♥ 97
♦ KQ9
♣ A98
What should West lead against 4S by South? Most potential leads would help declarer in some way. Some experts recommend that when no lead seems attractive, the best thing may be to lead a trump. On this deal, a trump lead is the best, as it gives nothing away, but look at what happened on Board 3 when West led the King of clubs.
Susan Goddard, (South took full advantage of West’s generosity by winning with the Ace and drawing the defenders’ trumps in two rounds. The Ace of diamonds was then driven out to set up an entry to South’s hand. On the continuation of the nine of clubs, West’s Jack was now trapped between North’s Queen and ten. This gave declarer three club tricks to go with five spades and two diamonds. Declarer didn’t even need the King of hearts. East/West won only their two Aces. No other pair reached game or made eleven tricks.
Had West led a trump, declarer would have lost not only two tricks to the missing Aces but also the King of clubs. Declarer must eventually open the club suit, with the King lying in wait to grab the third trick for East/West.
Results, Monday, 21/07/25 (2 & ½-table Howell): H. Price L. Munson (72.9) 1; T Hinde L. Don (60.4) 2. Friday, 25/07/25 (3 & ½-table Howell): N. Collins T. Hinde (C. Duggan S. Goddard (55.2) 2; A. Bonner J. Moss (50.) 3.
