Suppose West leads HA and then switches to a diamond at T2? Even if South ducks 2 diamonds and can see all the cards (so ducks an early spade or leads the SK, pinning the J then ducks the next trump), East gets in and promotes and extra trump trick for West by playting the 13th diamond. Just out of interest, what would you have led on the bidding with only the sight of West’s cards? If you do find the HA lead then I think there is no hurry to go after clubs as any trick’s partner may have there aren’t running away. As ever, though, all too easy seeing more cards.
Regards,
Iain
bobbywolffNovember 9th, 2023 at 8:09 pm
Hi Iain,
While sitting West and defending, at least to me and perhaps others, there is not enough G2
present to be anywhere close to strongly even feeling what may work and what may not. First of all, I do not like the lead of the ace of hearts (even with partner’s bid) especially against a part score, since the high cards figure to be approximately the same between partnerships, so why be so committal from the get go? It is, no doubt a guess, with each other suit in the hunt.
When John (I think his first name) Brown first made his well known comment back in 1940 as an outstanding bridge writer in England, “If any one player always made the right opening lead when called upon in bridge he, IMO, would win every bridge World Championship”. If asked, I would likely agree with him, and as to what my choice would be here, or after cashing the heart ace, I may, in fact, even on three different occasions, lead one of the other three suits and even instead, consider against certain known (straight laced type) opponents, to continue with the 10 of hearts.
Yes, I am avoiding a clear cut response, only because of just “making a guess” which others may consider that to be cowardly (with me included in that group thought).
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Hi Bobby,
Suppose West leads HA and then switches to a diamond at T2? Even if South ducks 2 diamonds and can see all the cards (so ducks an early spade or leads the SK, pinning the J then ducks the next trump), East gets in and promotes and extra trump trick for West by playting the 13th diamond. Just out of interest, what would you have led on the bidding with only the sight of West’s cards? If you do find the HA lead then I think there is no hurry to go after clubs as any trick’s partner may have there aren’t running away. As ever, though, all too easy seeing more cards.
Regards,
Iain
Hi Iain,
While sitting West and defending, at least to me and perhaps others, there is not enough G2
present to be anywhere close to strongly even feeling what may work and what may not. First of all, I do not like the lead of the ace of hearts (even with partner’s bid) especially against a part score, since the high cards figure to be approximately the same between partnerships, so why be so committal from the get go? It is, no doubt a guess, with each other suit in the hunt.
When John (I think his first name) Brown first made his well known comment back in 1940 as an outstanding bridge writer in England, “If any one player always made the right opening lead when called upon in bridge he, IMO, would win every bridge World Championship”. If asked, I would likely agree with him, and as to what my choice would be here, or after cashing the heart ace, I may, in fact, even on three different occasions, lead one of the other three suits and even instead, consider against certain known (straight laced type) opponents, to continue with the 10 of hearts.
Yes, I am avoiding a clear cut response, only because of just “making a guess” which others may consider that to be cowardly (with me included in that group thought).