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In our last episode we explored the basics of opening leads against suit contracts.   Recall the sequence leads, basic “fourth best” (from an honor) and “top of nothing” leads work often work well against both Notrump and suit contracts – provided we are not underleading an Ace. 

In this lesson, we examine situations when making an aggressive “active” lead may help us generate extra tricks.  Recall as defenders we must pay special attention to prevent the declarer from finding extra tricks through ruffs, cross-ruffs, and side-suit promotions after the declarer pulls trump.

Click here to view Part 1 of the video commentary

Free Membership – Click here to view Part 2, hands #3-4 of our video commentary

Premium/ULTRA Members – Click here to view Part 3, Hands 5-7 of our video commentary

Active Defense Situations:

1. Opponent may setup a long side suit
2. Opponent may setup ruffs/cross-ruffs, etc.
3. Opponents are in a high-level contract (5+ level)
4. Partnership tenaces (finesses) are in jeopardy
5. Desperate times call for desperate measures!

While active leads have their place, here are some situations to consider when making an aggressive lead may not be wise:

1. Partner give clear lead direction
   1. Partner opened, overcalled a major suit (thus 5+ card suit), doubled an artificial bid by the opponents
2. Trump lead reduced opponents ruffing ability
3. Safe sequence lead is best (as Ace from Ace-King)
4. Opponents have minimal strength (part score contract)
5. Partner cannot hold helpful honor
6. Right Hand Opponent (declarer) bid strongly, but not in a slam contract
   1. Open 1 Notrump (15-17), rebid 2 Notrump (18-19), open 2 Notrump (20-21)
   2. Opener reverses as: 1C – 1H; 2D … (17+ points)
   3. Opener makes a strong jump shift as: 1D – 1H; 3C… (19+ points)

Of course, as thoughtful defenders both the opening leader and partner should be attentively listening to the auction, including mannerisms, gestures and the like made by the opponents.   At the top of our short list, leading against suit contracts includes:

1. count, Count, COUNT and Think 
2. Count points
3. Count Distribution
4. Count Tricks (auction level)
5. Integrate auction inferences into partnership plan

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