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Coded Nines and Tens (Jack Denies, 10 Implies) - An opening lead
system designed to show honor holdings. A lead of a 9 or 10
implies either zero or two higher honors in the suit led,
while leading a Jack suggests no higher honors. Normal "low from
honor" lead carding still applies, as 4th best, etc. When partner
leads a 9 or 10, partner generally assumes leader has 2 cards above
unless the player in the third seat can see the complimentary card.
So if leader plays the 10 and the 9 is in either the dummy or the hand
of third seat player, assume zero above; the same is true if the
9 is lead and the 10 is visible. Otherwise, assume partner has 2
cards above the 10 or 9. Incidentally, a common treatment is that
the lead of the 9 promises one of the two higher honors is the
10 (otherwise, simply lead fourth best from a broken honor sequence when not
holding the 10). Particularly against opponent's Notrump
contract, leads include:
| Suit |
Lead |
| J 10 8 2 |
Jack - Jack denies
(normally top of sequence, maybe broken) |
| Q J 9 2 |
Q - lead the top of
broken sequence (not the 9, which could lose to opponents 10) |
| A J 10 4 |
10 - shows two
higher |
| K 10 9 3 |
9 - shows two higher,
one of which must be the 10 |
| Q 10 9 7 |
9 - shows two higher,
one of which must be the 10 |
| J 9 7 5 3 |
C5 - standard 4th
best from an honor |
| Q 10 9 7 |
9 - shows two higher,
one of which must be the 10 |
| 9 7 5 3 |
C7 or C9-
without honor, lead top or next to top |
| A 10 9 4
2 |
9 - shows two higher,
one of which must be the 10 |
| K Q 10 9 2 |
Q - while K
seems normal, an better treatment is the lead of the A or Q
asks for an unblock of partners honor as J 2 from a doubleton |
A K J 10
2
A K Q 10 2
A Q J 10 2
A K J 9 2 |
A, asking for an
unblock or count |
A K 10 9 2
A Q 10 9 2 |
9 exceptionally.
Leading the 10 may confuse partner the lead was from a sequence.
It's far better to ensure partner knows leader has at least two honors
above the opening lead rather than be misled into believing Declarer has
all the honors |
| A Q 9 3
2 |
Lead the 3.
While leading the 9 shows two card above its value, by common
agreement one of the outstanding honors must be the 10. Thus,
lead fourth best 3, hoping partner holds the K or J. |
| A 10 9 3 2 |
This time lead the 9.
The lead of the 9 shows two cards above its value, one of which
must be the 10. |
Also see
Details on signaling and books on
Leads
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