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In this lesson, again we focus on the opening lead when the opponents work their way into a 3 Notrump contract. As we’ve seen earlier in our Incredible Defender series when playing against Notrump contracts, sound opening leads include top of sequence leads, fourth best leads, leading partner’s bid suit, signaling count to partner, etc.
Click here to view Part 1a of the video commentary
Click here to view Part 1b of the video commentary
Free Membership – Click here to view Part 2, hand #1 of our video commentary
Premium/ULTRA – Click here to view Part 3, hand 3 of our video commentary
In this lesson, we turn our attention to leads from broken suits. Among the most common lead opposite a Notrump contract is:
- Fourth best leads promising an honor – i.e., the bottom of “something.”
- Lead the top of a broken sequence – an honor sequence with 3 of 4, missing the third spot (as Queen from QJ9…).
- Lead the top of an interior sequence – an honor sequence again with 3 of 4, missing the second spot (the Jack from KJ109…).
- What were the opponents’ bids?
- How high did they go and what are their estimated combined points?
- What do you know about their hand shape?
- How many points does that leave for your partner?
- Did your partner bid? (or perhaps pass an opportunity to double opponents’ artificial bid)
- Did the opponents auction proceed smoothly or did they hesitate, make inadvertent gestures and the like (players must never deliberately signal their partner), make inaudible noises and the like?
On the first three hands, the opening leader West has identical cards. So having given due diligence analyzing the bidding, you’re ready to table your opening lead from a broken sequence hoping for the best. Okay, here we go…
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