Opening lead polls

[mfa1010]

Matchpoints.

Two bread and butter opening lead problems.

 

1.

3♠ - p - 4♠ - all pass

 

♠85

♥KJ92

♦9876

♣742

 

2.

1NT - p - 3NT - all pass

 

♠JT86

♥9

♦983

♣AK742

[MrAce]

I voted ♥ and small ♣, i am not sure which ♥ i would lead though.

[l milne]

Ditto, although I can see some case (probably a weak one) for a spade on the second.

[Fluffy]

agree with the above, spade is a strong contender, specially at MPs, but I'd still lead a club.

[gwnn]

goin with the flow

thinkin in the box

[mich-b]

Hand 1 :

I would lead a small ♥. Probably the Jack has some technical merit (perhaps the Queen is more likely to be in dummy than in decalrer's hand) , but I am afraid it will somehow mislead partner.

Hand 2:

I prefer a ♣, but would surely consider a high one , which loses when partner has 2 and the opps 3 clubs each (which is possible but very specific) but gains when I can figure out that a ♠ switch is needed.

[dake50]

I want my partner trusting no brain-busting flyer on predictable hands.

4th best H;

4th best C.

[OleBerg]

Matchpoints.

Two bread and butter opening lead problems.

 

1.

3♠ - p - 4♠ - all pass

 

♠85

♥KJ92

♦9876

♣742

 

2.

1NT - p - 3NT - all pass

 

♠JT86

♥9

♦983

♣AK742

 

1) ♥K. (And yes, I'd do at the table too.) One exception: If I am red vs white, and opp. are not known to be traditionalists. In that case it is a small heart.

 

2)♠J. In a "best-case-scenario" for a club-lead, partner has 8 cards in the major-suits, making him a favourite to hol 2- clubs. If one opponent has four clubs, which I cinsider very likely, a club lead will often cost. A spade trick will typically only cost, when we have clubs coming in. (Disclaimer: I am a believer in passive leads against such conracts.)

[mikeh]

1. I lead a heart....not a good holding for a 3rd best lead, but them's my agreements, and it may be important for partner to know our combined length.....hopefully, he'll be able to work out that I have to have this holding, since otherwise he has to place opener with KJx in hearts.

 

2. I lead a club. There is no reason to panic....clubs could be 332 around the table, partner may have Qx(x) and so on. LHO probably lacks a 4 card major, but he could be 4333 or 3433 with some extras, and opener may well have a 5 card major.

[mike gill]

1) Heart - leading a minor is asking for 3 rounds of that suit with declarer pitching heart losers.

2) Small club. Unless beating them stopped being good in MPs.