Lead Poisoning

Sydney Morning Herald

Wednesday April 9, 2008

Ron Klinger

Kieran Dyke, a young Sydney expert, has a guide for opening leads against notrumps.

It is known as Dyke's Rule: If on lead against no-trumps and you have a choice of unbid suits to lead, prefer not to lead from a 4-card suit headed by the ace.

This approach proved valuable on this deal from Stage 1 of the Australian Team

Selection.

Round 3 : Board 7

West dealer; both vulnerable

NORTH

West North East South

Pass Pass Pass 1NT

Pass 3NT All pass

Lead: S7

Matt Mullamphy did very well to lead a spade (a heart lead gives declarer the contract). The S7 (attitude leads) suggests little interest in spades. Another option

would be the S8, zero interest in spades other than by length.

Declarer captured East's SQ and played the DQ. East won and produced the routine switch to the HQ. That meant one down for +100 and +11 Imps.

Declarer might have made it tougher for East. For example, capture the SQ, cross to the CA and play a low diamond from dummy, but East should find the right play. Another option, if you place the SQ with East is to take the SA in dummy and play a low diamond at once. If East ducks, South wins, runs the clubs ending in North and takes the spade finesse.

Open datum: N-S 430. In the Open four pairs made 3NT, two failed, one made 5C and one was one off in 6C.

Women's datum: N-S 600. Seven pairs made 3NT and one was one off in 5C.

On this deal, also from Stage 1, cover all but the West cards. After the auction below, what would you lead as West?

Round 10 : Board 24

North dealer; nil vulnerable

West North East South

--- Pass 1D 1S

3C (1) Pass 3NT 4C

Dble 4S Dble All pass

(1) 4+ diamonds, 6-9 points

After West began with the DQ, declarer ducked in dummy and ruffed in hand. Then came CA, club ruff, heart to the ace, club ruff and over-ruffed. Declarer lost two more spades and a club for one down.

When your side has significantly greater strength than the opposition, a trump lead is often best. The SK lead, reasonable after East?s strong rebid, followed by another spade produces two down easily. Even after the diamond lead E-W can hold declarer to eight tricks.

It doesn't matter whether you win or lose, until you lose.

Tomorrow's problem:

South dealer; N-S vulnerable

West North East South

2S (1) Pass Pass 4H

Pass Pass Pass

(1) Weak two, 6 spades, 6-10 points

West leads the SQ. Plan the play.

© 2008 Sydney Morning Herald

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