Lead IV

[Finch]

IMPs, again

 

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1NT = weak

Responder has (now) denied a 4-card major, opener could have 4-4 in the majors

[Lord Molyb]

these all seem really easy to me

low spade again

[rogerclee]

I learned to try to lead as passively as possible against this kind of auction, so I would lead a diamond.

[nige1]

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FrancesHinden writes "IMPs, again. 1NT = weak. Responder has (now) denied a 4-card major, opener could have 4-4 in the majors."

 

 

 

IMO ♦2 = 10, ♠ 3 = 8, ♥6 = 3, ♣K = 1.[/hv]

[Fluffy]

I think A10xx is one of the holdings that blows a trick most often, I'd avoid it at all cost.

[Lord Molyb]

I think A10xx is one of the holdings that blows a trick most often, I'd avoid it at all cost.

All we need in partner's hand is 9x or better :unsure:

[MickyB]

♦ is auto. If we systemically lead 2nd from Txxx then it gets interesting IMO

[rmnka447]

Passive would be right if the contract were 3 NT. I'm not so sure it's right versus 2 NT. Dummy has about 11 points -- anything from a really good 10 to a bad 12.

 

I'm leading an attacking low ♠.

[gnasher]

♦ is auto. If we systemically lead 2nd from Txxx then it gets interesting IMO

I'd disregard the agreement and lead the 2 anyway.

[wanoff]

All things being equal, I'd lead a diamond - but they're not, so I'd lead a spade.

Responder has denied a major, opener has between 2 and 4 spades and with you holding the 108♦, a diamond hardly looks safe.

Agree you don't offer up the 8♦ on the opening lead - partner might hold say, J9 doubleton.

[Finch]

One hand doesn't prove anything, but I agree it's between a spade and a diamond.

On the actual hand, a spade lets it through at once. A diamond gives you a chance. In fact declarer was slightly sloppy and a diamond did even better, because this is the layout:

 

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On a diamond lead, he tried the jack from dummy - queen - king

He played ace and another club. I won and played a second diamond, which he took and ran clubs. He came down to Kxx Kx x - in dummy and Qxx J10x - - in hand

At this point things are slightly delicate. Without considering what might happen next, he played a spade to the queen and ace, then two rounds of diamonds squeezed dummy. But he's in trouble anyway, because the SK off dummy might hold the trick... so he did have to pick the ending whatever he did (or he could have run the jack of hearts earlier)