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My ongoing battle with Edwin Kantar


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Kantar says If the opps shied away from NT (they hunted around for a suit, settled in a minor) you should lead the unbid suit. Even if you have the AQ. I'm sure he's right, but I'm only sure he's right because he's Edwin Kantar. So... if you have to lead from AQ what do you lead? What do you lead from AQ

or AQx

or AQT

or AQXX

or AQTx

 

What do I say if p asks why I lead away from AQ?

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Lead the ace.

 

It's a particular good bet if declarer had a good chance to bid 3N but didn't. If declarer has Kx in the suit, the lead is costly, but if dummy has it, it is usually not.

 

Anyway, when the auction goes like you describe, partner has the king, so if he says anything he will ask in admiration "So how did you work out to lead away from your AQx"? Then you can smile and say they would have bid 3N if they had the king...

 

Arend

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leads are very situational. AQx even moreso. Depending on the auction I might lead ace, low, or Q. Q would probably be most common. With four I would lead the ace or low, depending on the auction.
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>What do I say if p asks why I lead away from AQ?

 

You show him Eddie Kantars Modern Bridge Defense, chapters 1,2.

 

 

>but I'm only sure he's right because he's Edwin Kantar

 

I thought his logic on why this holds was quite reasonable.

 

I don't remember if this is covered in Mike Lawrences Opening Leads, or Robert Ewens Opening Leads.

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Vil Gravis, well known NZ bridge writer and expert, has written a number of articles on opening leads. He advocates the lead of the ace from AQx against No Trump contracts, often irrespective of whether the suit is the only unbid suit or not, e.g. an auction like 1NT-3NT. If you would like any more info, or a copy of some of the articles, you could contact him at vil@bridgefun.com
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