LESSON 1 - Amazon S3Lesson 1 — Opening Leads Against Notrump Contracts 9 GENERAL INTRODUCTION This is the firstlesson of the third series. Although there may be some students who

LESSON 1Opening Leads AgainstNotrump Contracts

General Concepts

General Introduction

Group Activities

Sample Deals

Defense in the 21st Century8

GENERAL CONCEPTS

DefenseThe opening lead against notrump contracts

•Choosingthesuit •Partner’ssuit •Yoursuit •Theunbidsuit •Consideringthecontract

•Choosingthecard •Partner’ssuit •Topofthedoubleton,topofatwo-cardorlongersequence •Otherwiselow

•Yourlongsuitortheunbidsuit •Topofathree-cardorlongersequence,aninteriorsequenceorabroken

sequence •Loworfourthbest

BiddingReview of opening the bidding at the one, two and three levels

Play of the HandReview of declarer’s PLAN

1. Pause to consider your objectives

2. Look at your winners and losers

3. Analyze your alternatives

4. Now put it all together

Lesson 1 — Opening Leads Against Notrump Contracts 9

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Thisisthefirstlessonofthethirdseries.AlthoughtheremaybesomestudentswhohavetakentheBidding in the 21st CenturyorthePlay of the Hand in the 21st Century courses,forothersthiswillbethefirstclass.Takeafewminutestohavethestudentsgivetheirnames,tellabouttheirbridgeexperienceandperhapstellsomethingelseaboutthemselves.Thiswillgiveyouanideaoftheexpe-riencelevelsofthestudentsandwhattheyarelikelytoexpectfromtheclass.Althougheachcourseisdesignedtostandonitsown,thebiddingandthedeclarerplaycoveredintheBidding in the 21st CenturyandPlay of the Hand in the 21st Centurycoursesarereviewedthroughoutthelessons.

Aftertheintroductions,giveanoverviewofthecourse.Youcouldsaysomethinglike:

“Thespotlightinthiscourseisondefense,anareaofthegamethatmostplayerssayisthemostchallenging.Itmightseemasifyouandyourpart-nerhavetobeclairvoyant.Afterall,youaretryingtoworktogetherasateamtodefeatdeclarer’scontract,andyoucan’tevenseethecardsineachother’shands.

“Whenyouaredeclarer,youcanmakeaplanandputitintopracticetotrytomakeyourcontract.Theplanisnotasclearforthedefenders,andwhentheplayisover,youmayfindyourselfasking:‘Couldwehavedefeatedthatcontract?’Inthiscourse,wewillbelookingatwaysyouandyourpartnercanworktogethermoreeffectivelytodefeatdeclarer’scontract.Thisallbeginswiththeopeninglead.

“Theexpertssayopeningleadscanmakethedifferencebetweenwinningandlosingaworldchampionship.Whataresponsibility,especiallywhentheleadhastobemadebeforethedummycomesdownandyoucanseeonlythe13cardsinyourhand!Fortunately,therearesomestandardguidelinesforopeningleads.Inthislesson,wewillconsiderleadsagainstnotrumpcontracts.”


GROUP ACTIVITIES

EXERCISE ONE: Choosing the Suit

IntroductionThelessonisdevelopedintwostages.First,thefocusisonchoosingthesuittoleadand,second,

thespecificcardtoleadfromthesuitselected.Inthisfirstexercise,studentsareguidedtoseethatthechoiceofsuitsdependsonacombinationofthecardsintheopeningleader’shand,thebiddingandaconsiderationofthefinalcontract.

“Oneofthemostpopularmaximsforleadingagainstanotrumpcontractistoleadthefourthhighestfromyourlongestandstrongestsuit.Thisisgoodadvice,butlikemostgoodadvice,itworksbestifusedattherighttimeandplace.

“Whendefendingagainstanotrumpcontract,itisoftenagoodideatotrytodevelopthelongestsuitinthedefenders’combinedhands.Thelongerthesuit,themorewinnersthatcanbedeveloped,andsincethereisnotrumpsuit,declarercan’tstopyoufromtakingyourwinnersonceyougettheop-portunitytoplaythem.

“Youarelookingatonlyyour13cardswhenyoumaketheopeninglead,soitmaybedifficulttodeterminewhichisthelongestsuitinthecombinedhands.Thebidding,however,maygiveyousomeinformation.Ifyourpartnerhasbid,yourfirstchoiceistoleadpartner’ssuit.Afterall,ifasuitisgoodenoughtobid,itislikelygoodenoughtolead—tosaynothingofwhatitdoesforyourpartner’sappreciationofyourthoughtfulnessinleadingthesuit.Partnerwillopen(unlesspartnerhastoopenathree-cardminor)orovercallthelongestsuitinthehandfirst,sothatmaywellbethelongestcombinedsuit.Inaddition,ifpartnerhasbid,partnerislikelytohavetheentriesneededtoestablishthesuitandthentoregaintheleadtotakethewinners.

“Youdon’twanttogivetheopponentsthesamepleasure.Iftheyhavebidasuit,itisbesttostayawayfromitunlessyourcardsareverystrong.Withnothingelsetoguideyou,chooseanunbidsuit,onetheopponentshavenotbid.

“Ifyoufindyouareonopeningleadagainstanotrumpcontractandyourpartnerhasnotbid,younormallychooseyour longest suit,hoping it isthepartnership’slongestcombinedsuit.Withachoiceoflongsuits,younormallychoosethestronger,sinceitprobablywillrequirelesshelpfrompartnertoestablish.Thisiswherethe‘longestandstrongestsuit’partoftheguidelinecomesfrom.We’lllookatthe‘fourthhighest’partalittlelater.

“Finally,itisimportanttoconsiderthelevelofthecontractwhichtheop-ponentshavereached.Iftheopponentshavearrivedatacontractof6NTandyouhavetwoaces,takealeaffromdeclarer’sbookandtakeyourtricksandrun.”


Instructions “YouareonleadagainstanotrumpcontractwiththehandshowninExerciseOne.

109762 86 A943 K Q

“Workasagroupwiththeothersatyourtableanddecidewhichsuityouwouldleadundereachoftheseconditions:

1) Thecontractis3NTandyourpartnerovercalledinheartsduringtheauction.

2) Thecontractis1NTwithnobiddingfromyourside.

3) Thecontractis3NTafteroneoftheopponentsopenedthebidding1.

4) Thecontractis6NT.”

1) ______________ 2) _____________ 3) ______________ 4) ______________

Follow-upHaveastudentfromoneofthegroupsreportonthesuitwhichwaschosenbythegroupineach

situation.

Conclusion“Theopeningleadisyourchancetogetaheadstartintheracetoestablishenoughwinnerstodefeatthecontract.Youwanttostartwiththesuitthatoffersthemostpotentialforyourside.Usuallythatisthesuityourpartnerbidoryourlongestsuit.Withachoiceoflongsuits,choosethestronger.Avoidleadingasuitbidbyanopponentsinceyouwillprobablyhavedif-ficultydevelopingtricksinit.Ofcourse,ifyoucanseeenoughtricksinyourhandtodefeatthecontract,takethem.”

Heart Spade Diamond Club


EXERCISE TWO: Choosing the Card in Partner’s Suit

IntroductionTherearetablesofopeningleadswhichoutlinethespecificcardtoleadagainstnotrumpcontracts.

Moststudentscan’teffectivelymemorizethemand,eveniftheycould,wouldnotnecessarilyknowhowtousetheinformation.Itisimportantforstudentstounderstandwhyonecardispreferabletoanother.Thiscanbestbeunderstoodbyconsideringhowthesuitwouldbeplayedbyadeclarer.

“Onceyouhavedecidedonthesuittolead,youhavetochoosethespe-cificcardtoleadfromthesuit.Thespecificcardyouselectisimportantfortworeasons.Firstthedefenderscan’tseeeachother’shands.Thisisadisadvantagetheywanttoovercomeasquicklyaspossible,sotheysendmessagesabouttheirhandsthroughthecardstheychoosetoplay,startingwiththeopeninglead.Thesecondreasonthecardisimportantisthatyouwanttomakeiteasytotakethetricksthatbelongtoyourside.Let’slookatafamiliarcombinationofcardsbylayingouttheheartsuit.”

Makesurethestudentsknowwhatdirectiontheyaresitting(North,East,SouthandWest)andcalloutthecardsforeachdirection.Forexample:

“Northhasthe6,4and2ofhearts,Easthastheace,queen,9,7and3,Southhasthejack,10and5andWesthasthekingand8.

642

K 8 AQ973

J105

“Ifyouwerethedeclarer,howwouldyoutakethetricksthatbelongtoyouifEastwerethedummyandyouhadnootherentriesintheEasthand?”

Developwiththestudentsthefamiliarideaoftakingthefirsttrickwiththehighcardfromtheshortside,theKintheactuallayout.

“Adefendercan’tseewhatpartnerhassothedefenderhastouseimagi-nation.Ifyouhavedecidedtoleadpartner’ssuit,youimaginethatpartnerhassomelengthandstrengthinthesuit.Soyouwanttoplaythehighcardfromtheshortsidewhenyouhaveadoubleton,theK.Whenthatwinsthetrick,youcanleadyourremaininglowcardtopartner’shandandyoursidetakesallfivetricks.

“Ifyouweretoleadalowhearttopartner’shandandpartnerweretoleadalowcardtoyourK,youwouldtakeonlytwotricksinthesuitifpartnerhadnootherentries.Partner’swinnerswouldbestranded.

“Whenyouleadpartner’ssuit,thefirstsuggestionisthatyouleadthetopofadoubleton,whichiseffectivelyplayingthehighcardfromtheshortside.”


“Nowlet’schange the layoutslightly togiveWest the jack,10and5 inpartner’ssuit:

K 4 2

J105 AQ973

86

“Ifyouwerethedeclarer,howwouldyouplaytheheartsuitheldbyEastandWest?”

HavethestudentstalkaboutleadingtheJ(or10)totrapNorth’sK.

“Whenyouaredefending,eachcardsendsamessage.DeclarercouldplayeithertheJor10,sincetheyareequalcards.However,whenyouareadefender,youleadthetopoftouchinghighcardsinpartner’ssuit,theJ. Thistellspartnerthatyoudonothavethenexthighercard,theQinthisexample.Ifyouweretoleadthe10,partnerwouldthinkdeclarerheldtheJ,ratherthanyou,andwouldprobablyplaytheQonthefirsttrick,costingyoursideatrick.

“Sothesecondguidelinewhenleadingpartner’ssuitistoleadthetopoftouchinghonors.Ifyoudon’thaveadoubletonortouchinghonors(thatis,ifyouhavethreeormorecardsinthesuitwithnotouchinghonors),thenyouleadlow.Let’schangethelayoutagaintoseewhythatworksoutbest:

53

K 9 4 AJ1072

Q86

“WhatwouldhappenifyouweretoleadtheKonthislayout?”

Discusstheideathatthedefenderswouldtakethekingandtheacebutdeclarerwouldgetatrickwiththequeen.

“Nowlet’stryplayingalowcard.PartnercanwinthefirsttrickwiththeAandplaybacktheJ,whichtrapsdeclarer’sQ.Partnerwillneedanotherentrytoenjoytherestofthewinnersifdeclarerdoesn’tcovertheJwiththeQ,becausethethirdroundofthesuitwouldthenbewonbyyourK.Nevertheless,byleadinglowfromthehonor,thedefendersmanagetotrapdeclarer’squeen.So,fromthreeormorecardsinpartner’ssuit,whendefendingagainstanotrumpcontract,leadalowcardifyoudonothavetouchinghonors.Let’slookatsomemoreexamplestoputallthistogether.”


1) __________ _______________________________________________________________

2) __________ _______________________________________________________________

3) __________ _______________________________________________________________

Instructions“IneachoftheexamplesinExerciseTwo,youleadpartner’ssuit.Whichisthebestcardtolead?Why?”

1) DUMMY 962 YOU PARTNER J3 KQ875 DECLARER A104

2) DUMMY K85 YOU PARTNER QJ3 A10962 DECLARER 7 4

3) DUMMY 96 YOU PARTNER Q75 A10842 DECLARER K J 3

Jack the top of a doubleton Queen top of touching high cards 5 low from three cards not leaded by touching high cards


Follow-upHaveonememberofthegrouptellwhichcardinpartner’ssuitthegroupdecidedtolead.Then

youcanaskwhatguidelinesthisleadfallsunder.Ifthestudentdoesnotknowit,giveabriefrecapofthereasontheleadworksoutforthebest.Youmightsaysomethinglikethis:

“Onthefirstexample,youleadthejack,thetopofadoubleton.Essentially,youarestartingthesuitbyplayingthehighcardfromtheshortside.

“Onthesecondexample,leadthequeen,thetopoftouchinghighcardsinpartner’ssuit.Thistellspartnerthatyoudonothavethenexthighercardbutdohavethenextlowercard(unlessyouareleadingfromadoubleton,Q–2,forexample).Theleadofthequeentrapsdummy’sking.Ifyouleadthe3,partnercanwinthefirsttrickwiththe10,butthenpartnerwouldhavetotrytogetintoyourhandagaintoleadthroughdummy’sking,andthismaynotbepossible.

“Onthelastexample,leadthe5,lowfromthreecardsnotheadedbytouch-inghighcards.Partnercanwintheaceandleadonebackthroughdeclarer’skingandjack.Declarercantakeonlyonetrick,theking.Ifyouweretoleadthequeen,declarerwouldgettwotricks,onewiththekingandonewiththejack.”

Conclusion“Whenyouleadpartner’ssuit,choosethetopofadoubletonorthetopoftouchinghonors.Otherwiseleadlowfromthreeormorecards.”

Thereisnoneedtodiscussleadingfourthhighestinpartner’ssuitatthispoint.Thatwillconfusethestudentssincetheyaremorelikelytohavethreecardsinpartner’ssuitratherthanfourorfive.Theguidelineofleadingalowcardissufficientwhentheyhaveeitherthreeorfourcards.Theideaoffourthhighestwillcomewhenwelookataplayerleadingasuitbidbythatplayer.


EXERCISE THREE: Leading the Top of a Sequence

Introduction“Ifyourpartnerhasn’tbidandyouhavenoinformationabouttheopponents’suits,youchooseyourlongestsuit.Ifthissuithasathree-cardorlongersequence,leadthetopcard.Asequencehaswonderfulpotentialtopromotewinners.Let’sseewhybylayingoutthefollowingcardsinthespadesuit:

862

K Q J 9 7 4 3

A105

“YoucanseethatifWestleadsalowcard,declarerwouldwinatrickwiththe10sincepartnerhasnohighcardsinthesuit.Ifyouleadoneofyourhighspades,youcandriveoutdeclarer’sAandestablishfourtricks.Withthreeormoretouchinghighcards,leadoneofthem.Youdonotnecessarilyneedpartnertoholdanyhighcardsinthesuittohelppromotetricks,andyoudonotwanttoletdeclarerwinatricktoocheaply.

“Aswehaveseenearlier,youshouldleadthetopcardofthesequence,theK,ratherthantheQorJ.Whileitdoesnotmakeanydifferencetoyou,rememberyouaretryingtogivepartnersomeinformationthroughthespecificcardsthatyouplay.Byleadingthetopoftouchinghonors,youtellpartnerthatyoudonothavethenexthigher-rankingcardbutyoudohavethenextlower-rankingcard.

“NowexchangeWest’sKwithSouth’s5.

862

QJ975 4 3

AK10

“Westnowholdsabrokensequence,twotouchinghighcardswithabreakbeforethenextlower-rankingcard.Youcanseethatifyouleadalowcard,declarercanwinthefirsttrickwiththe10.So,thegeneralguidelineistotreatabrokensequencelikeathree-cardsequenceandleadthetopcard.

“Whenyouleadfromabrokensequence,yourpartnershipmayhavetobecarefulhowtocontinueleadingthesuitifdeclarerhasalloftheotherhighcards.Intheexample,supposeyouleadtheQanddeclarerwinsthefirsttrickwiththeK,whileNorthandEastcontributelowspadestothetrick.Takethesecardsawaysowecanseewhatisleft:


86

J975 4

A10

“Declarerhasnotyetwonatrickwiththe10.IfWestregainstheleadandleadsthesuit,declarer’s10willwinthetrick.IfWestleadstheJ,declarer’sAtakesthetrickandthe10isgoodonthenextround.IfWestleadsalowspade,declarer’s10winsthetrickanddeclarerstillhastheAleft.Whichdefendermustleadthesuitnexttopreventdeclarerfromwinningatrickwiththe10?(East.)”

IfthestudentsaskhowWestcantellwhetherEastorSouthholdsthe10,youcantellthemthatitisanexcellentquestionandtheanswerwillbeforthcominginalaterlessonwhenwediscussdefensivesignals.

“Let’slookatonemoretypeofsequenceWestmighthavetoleadfrom.Layoutthefollowingcardsinthespadesuit:

86

KJ1075 A43

Q 9 2

“ThistimeWestholdswhatiscalledaninteriorsequence,asequenceoftwoormorecardswithahigher-rankingcardinthesuit.WhatwouldhappenifWestleadsthehighestcard,theK?”

LetthestudentsseethatdeclarerwouldeventuallytakeatrickwiththeQ.

“Westdoesnotwanttoleadalowcardwhenholdingthreehighcardsforthereasonswehaveseenearlier—Westdoesnotwantdeclarertowinatricktoocheaply.LeadingtheK,however,doesnotseemtobethean-swer.Instead,declarerleadsthetopoftouchingcards(sequence),theJ. HowcanEasthelppartnertakeallofthetricksinthesuitoncetheJisled?(EastcanwinthetrickwiththeAandleadthesuitback,trappingdeclarer’sQ.)HowdoesEastknowdeclarerhastheQ?(Westhasledthetopoftouchinghighcards.)Eastwinsthefirsttricktopreventdeclarerfromwinningatrickwiththequeen.”

Thereisnoneedtogointoallofthevariationsfromthispositionatthistime(e.g.,givingNorththeQorgivingSouthboththeAandQ).ThepositionwillbereexaminedinLessonThreewithalookatthird-handplay.Thetexthassomefurtherdiscussiononthesubjectifanystudenthasalotofquestions.Otherwise,thepointistoshowthemwhataninteriorsequencelookslikeandtotellthemtoleadthetopofthetouchinghighcards.

“Let’sreviewalltheseguidelinesaboutleadingfromsequencesbydoingthenextexercise.”


Instructions“IntheexamplesinExerciseThree,youleadyourownsuitagainstanotrumpcontract.Whichisthebestcardtolead?Howmanytrickscanyoursidedevelopfromthesuit?Whatmustthedefendersdotoensurethattheytakeallofthetrickstheyhavecoming?”

1) DUMMY K 3 YOU PARTNER J1096 A752 DECLARER Q 8 4

2) DUMMY A7 YOU PARTNER QJ963 842 DECLARER K105

3) DUMMY K 2 YOU PARTNER AJ1043 876 DECLARER Q95

4) DUMMY 7 4 YOU PARTNER KQJ83 A62 DECLARER 1095

1) ______________ 2) _____________ 3) ______________ 4) ______________Jack; 3 Queen; 3 Jack; 4 King: 5


Follow-upIfthestudentsarehavingtroublewithanyoftheexamples,havethemlaytheactualcardsouton

thetableandexperimentwiththem.Afterwards,havethestudentsreportthecardtheywouldleadandthenumberoftrickstheythinktheycangetfromeachsuit.Sincewehavenotyetdiscussedtheplaybythirdhand,youmayneedtosaysomethinglikethis:

“Inthefirstexample,leadthejack,topofathree-cardsequence.Ifdeclarerplaysdummy’sking,partnercanwintheaceandleadthesuitback,drivingoutdeclarer’squeen.Yougetthreetricksinthesuit.Ifdeclarerplaysalowcardfromdummy,partnercansavetheacetocapturedummy’skingandletdeclarerwinthefirsttrickwiththequeen.Whenthedefendersnextgainthelead,theyagaincantakethreetricksinthesuit.

“Inthesecondexample,leadthequeen,topofabrokensequence.Ifdeclarerwinsthefirsttrickwiththeking,eitherdefendercanleadthesuitnexttimetodriveoutdummy’saceandsetupthreetricksforthedefense.Ifdeclarerwinsthefirsttrickwithdummy’sace,partnerwillhavetoleadthesuitnextinordertotrapdeclarer’s10.

“Inthethirdexample,leadthejack,topofaninteriorsequence.Ifdeclarerwinsthefirsttrickwithdummy’sking,youwillhavetobecarefultohavepartnerleadthesuitnextsoyoucantrapdeclarer’squeenandtakethefourtrickstowhichyouareentitled.

“Onthelastexample,leadtheking,topofathree-cardsequence.Thede-fenderscantakethefirstfivetricks,butpartnermustbecarefultowinthefirstorsecondtrickwiththeacesothatpartnerhasalowcardlefttoleadbacktoyou.Otherwise,theleadwillbestuckinpartner’shandafterthefirstthreetricksandyourremainingwinnerswillbestrandedifyoudonothaveanentryinanothersuit.”

Conclusion“Whenyouleadyourownsuitoranunbidsuit,yourfirstpreferenceistoleadthetopofathree-cardorlongersequenceorthetopofabrokenorinteriorsequence.Yoursidenowhasanexcellentchanceofpromotingwin-nersandyourpartnerknowssomethingaboutyoursuit.Asyousawintheexamples,thepartnershipstillmayneedtobecarefulinordertogetalloftheavailabletricks.Wewilldiscussmoreonthattopicinlaterlessons.Fornow,wearemoreconcernedwithchoosingthebestopeninglead.”


EXERCISE FOUR: Leading a Low Card

Introduction“Whenyoulookatyourlongestsuit,theremaynotbeasequencealthoughthesuitmaycontainoneortwohonors.Youlikelywillneedsomehelpfrompartnertoestablishwinnersinthesuit,soleadalowcardovertopartner’shoped-forhighcard(s).Let’sseehowthisworksbylayingoutsomecardsinthediamondsuit:

10 8 4

KJ752 A6

Q 9 3

“WhathappenswhenWestleadsalowdiamond?(EastwinsthefirsttrickwiththeAandleadsadiamondback,trappingdeclarer’sQ).WhatwouldhappenifyoustartedbyleadingtheKinstead?(DeclarerwouldgetatrickwiththeQ).

“Nowlet’sexchangeEast’sAforSouth’s3:

10 8 4

KJ752 63

AQ9

“Leadingalowdiamonddoesnotlooklikesuchagoodideasincedeclarercanwinthefirsttrickwiththe9.Ifpartnercangetthelead,however,partnercanleadadiamondthroughdeclarer’sAandQ.Howmanytricksdo thedefenders take in thediamond suit? (Three.)Even thoughWest‘sacrifices’atrickbyleadingthesuitinitially,thedefendersarestillrewardedbyestablishingwinnersintheirlongsuit.

“Let’sseewhyyouwanttoleadalowcardwhenholdingboththeaceandtheking–butonlyatwo-cardsequence.Layoutthefollowingdiamonds.

10 8 4

AK752 Q 3

J96

“WhathappensifWestleadsahighdiamondfirst?”

Showthestudentshowthesuitwouldbecomeblocked,evenifWestcontinueswithalowdiamond.YoualsocanpointoutwhathappensifWestcontinueswithanotherhighdiamond.ThestudentsshouldbeabletoseehowthedefenderstakethefirstfivetricksifWestleadsalowdiamond.


“Ofcourse,youwereluckytofindpartnerwiththeQ,butlet’sexchangepartner’sQfordeclarer’s6.

10 8 4

AK752 63

Q J 9

“Let’sseewhathappensifWeststartsoffbyplayingtheA,theKandanotherdiamond:

—

75 —

—

“West’sremainingdiamondsareestablishedaswinners,butwhatifEast,ratherthanWest,nextgainstheleadforthedefense?(West’swinnersarestranded.)Let’sputthecardsbackandseewhatthesuitlookslikeifWeststartsoffbyleadingalowdiamond:

10 8

AK72 6

Q J

“Declarerwinsthefirsttrick,butwhathappensnowifeitherdefenderwinsthenexttrickforthedefense?(Thedefenderstakefourtricks.)Bygivingupatrickearly,thedefendersretaincommunicationbetweenthetwohands.

“Whenleadingalowcardfromalongsuit,thedefenderstraditionallyleadthefourthhighestcard.Let’sseewhatismeantbyfourthhighest(best).Putthefollowingcardsfromtheclubsuitonthetable.

K9752

“LeadingfourthhighestmeansthatyoustartatthetopwiththeKandcountdownfourcardstothe5.The5isthefourthhighestclub.Ifyoutakeawaythe2,the5isstillthefourthhighest.Itisnotnecessaryatthispointtogointowhyplayersleadthefourthhighest.Ifyouareinter-estedyoucanreadaboutitin‘TheFinerPoints’inthetextbook.Fornow,it’senoughtoknowwhatthefourthhighestcardis.Ifyouforget,leadinganylowcardislikelytobeequallyeffective.Fromthissuit,playingwiththemostpartners,youcouldleadthe2.

“Let’sseetheeffectofleadinglowandhowpartnercooperates.”


Instructions“InExerciseFour,youagainleadyoursuitagainstanotrumpcontract.Whichisthebestcardtolead?Howmanytrickscanyoursidedevelopfromthesuit?Whatmustthedefendersdotoensurethattheytakeallofthetrickstheyhavecoming?”

1) DUMMY 65 YOU PARTNER K 9 8 7 2 J 4 3 DECLARER AQ10

2) DUMMY A2 YOU PARTNER Q763 K854 DECLARER J 10 9

3) DUMMY 875 YOU PARTNER AQ432 KJ DECLARER 1096

1) _________________ 2) ________________ 3) ________________Low (7); 3 Low (3); 3 Low (3); 5


Follow-upAskamemberofthegrouptoreportthecardtheythoughtshouldbeledandhowmanytricks

thedeclarercouldtake.Theanswersshouldbesomethinglikethis:

“Inthefirstexample,ifyouleadlow,Eastplaysthejackanddeclarerwinsthetrickwiththequeen.Declarerhasasecondtrickwiththeace,butifpartnerlaterleadsthesuit,declarer’s10istrapped.Declarertakestwotricksandthedefenderstakethree.Ifyouledthekingoriginally,declarerwouldgetthreetricks.

“Inthenextexample,ifyouleadlow,partnercanwinthefirsttrickwiththekingifdeclarerplayslowfromthedummy.Declarertakesatrickwiththeace,butyourqueentakesathirdtrickandyouendupwiththreetricksinthesuit.Ifyouweretoleadthequeen,declarerwouldtaketwotricksinthesuit.

“Inthelastexample,partnerwinsthefirsttrickwiththekingandleadsthejack.Youwillhavetobecarefultoovertakethejackwithyourqueentoavoidstrandingyourwinners.Byovertakingpartner’sjack,youtakewiththefirstfivetricks.”

Conclusion“Whenleadingyourlongsuitagainstanotrumpcontract,leadalowcard(fourthhighest)ifyoudonothaveathree-cardsequenceorabrokenorinteriorsequence.”


EXERCISE FIVE: Leading against a Notrump Contract

Introduction“Nowthatyouknowhowtopickboththesuitandthecard,let’sputitalltogetherandselecttheopeningleadagainstanotrumpcontract.”

Instructions“Theopeningbid is1NTby theopponentonyour rightandeverybodypasses.WhichcarddoyouleadfromeachofthehandsinExerciseFive?”

1) AK 2) J963 3) AJ8652 Q 10 8 4 3 Q 4 K 8 3 J95 QJ105 8 4 7 4 2 K 8 3 9 2

1) _________________ 2) ________________ 3) ________________

Follow-upDiscusstheanswerswiththegroupasawhole.Thisexercisesummarizestheguidelinesandthe

discussionshouldnottakeuptoomuchtime.Forexample,youmightsaysomethinglikethis:

“Inthefirsthand,youwouldpickyourlongestsuit,hearts.Withnosequence,leadlow,the4,fourthhighest.

“In thesecondhand,youhaveachoiceof longsuits.Pick thestronger,diamonds.Withathree-cardsequence,leadthetopcard,theQ.

“Inthethirdhand,yourlongsuitisspades.Againyouwouldleadalowcard,the6,fourthhighest.”

Conclusion“Againstanotrumpcontract,leadyourlongestsuitwithnohelpfromthebidding.Withachoiceofsuits,pickthestronger.Ifyoudonothavease-quence,leadalowcard,fourthhighest.Nowyouknowtheoriginoftheguideline:fourth highest from your longest and strongest.”

4 Q 6


EXERCISE SIX: Listening to the Bidding

Introduction“Thebiddingcanoftenguideyouwhendecidingwhichsuittolead.Theopponentshavetodescribetheirhandstoeachotherinordertoreachthebestcontract.Astheyaretalkingbackandforth,thereisnothingtostopyoufromlistening.Theirauctionwilloftentellyouwhichsuitstoavoidandpointyouintherightdirectionforselectingthebestopeninglead.”

Instructions “Youareonleadagainstacontractof3NTaftertheauctionhasprogressedasfollows:

NORTH EAST SOUTH WEST (DUMMY) (PARTNER) (DECLARER) (YOU) 1 Pass 1 Pass 2 Pass 3 Pass 3NT Pass Pass Pass

“WhichcarddoyouleadfromeachofthehandsinExerciseSix?”

1) 74 2) Q652 3) 63 K Q 8 3 Q 8 4 J 9 4 2 KJ62 J 10 9 Q 8 3 985 J 8 3 K Q J 10

1) _________________ 2) ________________ 3) ________________ 2 J K


Follow-upDiscussingtheexerciseshouldnottakeverylong.Itmightgolikethis:

“Theopponentshavebidspades,heartsandclubs.Theonlyunbidsuitisdiamonds,soyourthoughtsshouldturntothatsuitevenbeforeyoulookatthecardsinyourhand.Onthefirsthand,yourheartsuitisstrongerthanyourdiamondsuit,butpartnerislesslikelytohavehelpforyouinheartssincedeclarerbidthatsuit.Leadadiamond.Withnosequence,leadthe2,fourthhighest.

“Inthesecondexample,youronlylongsuitisspades,buttheopponentonyourlefthasbidthatsuittwice.Itistimetoignorethegeneralguidelineaboutleadingyourlongestandpicktheunbidsuit,diamonds.Partnerislikelytohavesomelengthandstrengthinthatsuit.LeadtheJ,topofasequence.

“Eventhoughtheopponentshavebidasuit,thatshouldnotdeteryoufromleadingitwhenitobviouslypresentsthebestchancetodefeatthecontract.Withthethirdhand,youwouldleadaclub,eventhoughdeclarerbidthesuit.LeadtheK,topofasequence,establishingthreetricksforthedefenseevenifdeclarerhastheA.”

Conclusion“Iftheopponentshavebidasuit,itisagoodideatoavoidleadingitifyouhaveasuitablealternative.Payingcloseattentiontothebidsmadebytheopponentsoftencanguideyoutothebestopeninglead.”


EXERCISE SEVEN: Review of Opening the Bidding

Introduction“Let’squicklyreviewopeningthebidding.Thedealerhasthefirstoppor-tunitytoopenthebiddingandmaypassoropenthebiddingatanylevel.Ifthedealerpasses,eachplayerinturngetstheopportunitytoopenthebidding.With13to21points,youopenthebiddingattheonelevel.Withabalancedhandof15to17HCP,open1NT.Otherwise,bidyourlongestsuitifitisatleastfivecardsinlength(playingfive-cardmajors).Ifyoudon’thaveafive-cardsuit,openyourlongerminorsuit.Withtwofour-cardminorsuits,open1.Withtwothree-cardminorsuits,open1.

“Withabalancedhandof20or21HCP,open2NT.Open3NTwith25to27points.Withanunbalancedhandofmorethan21points,open2.Thisisastrongbid,almostalwaysforcingtogame.Youwillnameyourrealsuitwithyourrebid.

“Sometimesyouhaveahandtooweaktoopenthebiddingattheonelevel,butthehandcontainsagoodsix-cardorlongersuit.Suchhandscanbeopenedwithapreemptivebid,asuitbidatthetwolevelorhigher.Naturally2isreservedforastrongbid.”

Instructions“Asa review,whatwouldyouopenwitheachof thehands inExerciseSeven?”

1) Q10852 2) K73 3) 7 4 9 4 AJ AJ92 AK83 K10964 K 10 4 3 A4 AJ10 AJ8

1) _________________ 2) ________________ 3) ________________

4) QJ9 5) KQJ1083 6) 86 AK7 AKJ 10 K Q 8 4 K Q AQ109643 AJ9 K 4 J 4 2

4) _________________ 5) ________________ 6) ________________2NT 2 3

1 1NT 1


Follow-upDiscusstheanswerswiththegroupasawholesincethisisacourseondefenseandthebidding

isjustareview.Youcanleadthestudentstotherightbidbyprefacingthequestionwithastatementsuchasthisforthefirsthand:

“Youhave13pointsinhighcardsplusonepointforthefive-cardspadesuit,atotalof14points.Thehandisunbalancedbecauseithastwodoubletons.Whatwouldyouopen?”

Nowthestudentsareledintobidding1.Thismayseemliketoomuchdirectionbutthereisn’ttimetoteachabiddinglesson,aswellasalessonondefenseandareviewofdeclarerplay.Thisex-erciseshouldtakeaboutsixorsevenminutes.Itismostusefulifyouhavenewstudentsintheclasswhohavenottakentheearlierlessonseries.IfallofthestudentshavetakentheBiddingcourse,youcouldleavethisexerciseforselfstudyifyouarerunningshortontime.

Conclusion“Openthebiddingattheonelevelwith13to21pointsandwith2,hold-inganunbalancedhandofmorethan21points.Youwillnameyourrealsuitwithyourrebid.Withfewerthan13points,passunlessyouhaveagoodsix-cardorlongersuit,inwhichcase,youmayopenwithapreemptatthetwolevelorhigher.”


EXERCISE EIGHT: Review of Declarer’s Plan

Introduction“Beforedeclarerstartstoplay,declareralwaysshouldtakethetimetoreviewthePLAN.Thefourstepsare:

1. Pause to consider your objectives 2. Look at your winners and losers 3. Analyze your alternatives 4. Now put it all together

“Inanotrumpcontract,theemphasisisonwinners.Inasuitcontract,youlookatthePLANfromthepointofviewoflosers.”

Instructions“Gothroughthefourstepsofdeclarer’sPLANtodecidehowtoplaythedealinExerciseEightinacontractof3NTaftertheopeningleadoftheQ.”

DUMMY J 9 2 1064 Q J 10 7 3 A8 LEAD Q DECLARER A843 AK9 K 8 K 7 3 2

Follow-upDiscussthedealwiththeentireclass.

“Thefirststepistoconsideryourobjective.Inanotrumpcontract,youlookatyourobjectiveintermsofwinners.Howmanywinnersdoyouneedtomake3NT?(Nine.)Thesecondstepistocountthenumberofwinnersyouhave(suretricks).Howmanysuretricksdoyouhave?(Five:onespade,twoheartsandtwoclubs.)Thistellsyouthatyouneedfourmoretricks.Thenextstepistoanalyzeyouralternatives.Wherecantheextratrickscomefrom?(Thefourextratrickscancomefrompromotingthediamondsintowinnersbydrivingouttheopponents’A.)Finally,putitalltogether.Whatdoyouhavetowatchoutfor?(Oncethediamondsarepromoted,declarerneedsanentrytothedummy.SothefirsttrickmustbewonwiththeK,keepingtheAindummy.Whenplayingthediamonds,declarermuststartwiththeK,highcardfromtheshortside.)”


Conclusion“Alwaysstoptomakeaplanbeforestartingtoplay.Ittakesonlyamomentandsetsyouoffintherightdirection.Forexample,ifyoudidn’tstoptomakeaplanonthisdeal,youmightwinthefirsttrickwiththeAandthrowawayyourchancetomakethecontract.”


SAMPLE DEALSEXERCISE NINE: Leading Partner’s Suit

Introduction“Weknowthatleadingpartner’ssuitmakespartnerhappy.Inthefirstpracticedeal,we’llseethatitalsocanbeeffectiveinsettingthecontract.”

InstructionsIfyourstudentshaveattendedanearlierseriesoflessons,youprobablywillbefamiliarwiththe

amountofhelptheyneedpriortoplayingthepre-dealtdeals.Withsome,youcanhavethemplaythedealanddiscussitafterwards.Withthosestudentswhoneedmoreconfidence,youstillshouldgothroughthedealbeforeplaying,coveringthemajorpoints.Theystillwillhaveenoughchallengeputtingitintopractice.

“Turnupthecardsonthefirstpre-dealtdeal.Puteachdealdummystyleattheedgeofthetableinfrontofeachplayer.”

(E-Z Deal Cards #1, Deal 1)

Dealer:North Q J 8 4 52 Q J 10 8 2 AK K 9 3 A107 K6 AJ9 543 AK6 QJ1095 8642 652 Q 10 8 7 4 3 9 7 7 3

The Bidding“WhatwouldNorthopenthebidding?(1.)HowcanEastdescribethehand?(Overcall1NT.)Southpasses.HowmanypointsdoesWesthave?(10,9HCPsplus1forthefive-cardsuit).Atwhatleveldoesthepartnershipbelong?(Game.)IsthereaGoldenFit?(No.)WhatdoesWestrespond?(3NT.)Howdoestheauctionproceedfromthere?(Pass,pass,pass.)Whatisthecontract?(3NT.)Whoisthedeclarer?(East.)”

NW E

S


The Defense“Whichplayermakestheopeninglead?(South.)Whatwouldtheopeningleadbe?(9.)Why?(Partner’ssuit.)HowdoesNorthplantodefeatthecontract?(Driveoutdeclarer’sAandKtotakethreediamondtricksandtwoclubtricks.)”

The Play“Reviewthestepsindeclarer’sPLAN.Howdoesdeclarerplantomakethecontract?(Declarerneedsninewinners.Therearesixsuretricks:twoinspades,twoinheartsandtwoindiamonds.DeclarerplanstopromotetheclubsuitintothreewinnersbydrivingouttheAandtheK.)”

Conclusion“Thediamondsofferthebestchanceofdefeatingthecontract,butthede-fendershavetobepersistent.ThefirststepisforSouthtoleaddiamonds,thesuitSouth'spartnerbid.Then,Northhastokeepleadingdiamondsateveryopportunityinordertodefeatdeclarer’scontract.Notrumpcontractsareoftenaracetoseewhichsidecandevelopitswinnersfirst.”


EXERCISE TEN: Leading from a Sequence

Introduction“We’llseethatleadingthetopofasequencepromoteswinnersforthede-fenders.There’smoretoit,though.Theleadfromaninteriorsequencecantraptheopponents’highcards—butthedefendershavetoworktogether.Let’sseehowthisworks.”

Instructions“Turnupthecardsonthesecondpre-dealtdeal.Puteachhanddummystyleattheedgeofthetableinfrontofeachplayer.”


Dealer:East K Q J 4 85 AJ8 K1052 962 8753 K J 10 9 A762 10 4 3 7 2 A94 763 A10 Q 4 3 KQ965 Q J 8

The Bidding“EastandWestpassthroughouttheauction.WhatdoesSouthopenwith?(1.)WhatdoesNorthrespond?(1.)HowdoesSouthfinishdescrib-ingthisbalancedhand?(1NT.)Atwhatleveldoesthepartnershipbelong?(Game.)IsthereaGoldenFit?(No.)WhatdoesNorthrebid?(3NT.)Howdoestheauctionproceedfromthere?(Pass,pass,pass.)Whatisthecontract?(3NT.)Whoisthedeclarer?(South.)”

NW E

S


The Defense“Whichplayermakestheopeninglead?(West.)Whatwouldtheopeningleadbe?(J.)Why?(Topoftouchinghonorsfromaninteriorsequence.)Fromtheopeninglead,whichcarddoesEastknowthatdeclarerhas?(Q.)Howdothedefendersplantodefeatthecontract?(Trapdeclarer’sQtotakefourhearttricksandtheA.)”

ItwillprobablybedifficultforEasttoplaytheAonpartner’sJandthenleadaheartback.Also,thislessonserieshasnotyetaddressedwhichheartEastshouldreturnafterwinningtheA.Inthebeginningofthislesson,however,returningpartner’ssuitwasmentioned(ExerciseThree).Alsomentionedwasthefactthatyouwouldleadbackthesamecardthatyouwouldnormallyleadfromyourremainingholdinginthesuit(e.g.,lowfromthreelowcards).Ifnecessary,youcanremindthestudentsofthis.Ifdeclarerplaysalowheart,ratherthanthequeen,onEast’sheartreturn,Westmightnotbesurewhethertoplaythekingnextornot.Moststudentswill.Forthosewhodonot,pointoutthatitislikelytobetheironlyopportunitytodefeatthecontract(e.g.,hopingthatdeclarer’sQwillfallundertheK).NotethatdeclareralsomakesthecontractifWestfailstotaketheAaftertakingfourhearttricks.Youcanpointoutthatthisissimilartodeclarer’sguidelineof“takeyourtricksandrun”—whenyouseeenoughtrickstodefeatthecontract,takethem!Thedefenders’mainobjectiveistodefeatthecontract.

The Play “Reviewthesteps indeclarer’sPLAN.Howdoesdeclarerplan tomakethecontract?(Declarerneedsninetricksandhasfourspadetricksandfivediamondtricks—assoonasdeclarergetsthelead.)”

Conclusion“Leadingthetopcardfromastrongsequenceoftenprovidesthedefenderswithagoodchancetodefeatthecontract.Ifpartnerleadsahighcard,youhavetouseyourimaginationtovisualizepartner’sholdinginthesuit.Inthisdeal,EastknewfromWest’sopeningleadthatdeclarerheldtheQ. IfpartnerhadtheK,thendeclarer’sQcouldbetrapped—ifEastwonthefirsttrickwiththeA.”


EXERCISE ELEVEN: Fourth Highest

Introduction“Oneofthemostpopularmaximsforleadingagainstanotrumpcontractistoleadfourthhighestfromyourlongestandstrongestsuit.Inthisdeal,youmaybetemptedtoplayyourtwotophonorsinsteadofleadinglow.Itmayfeelasthoughleadinglowgivesupatrick.Let’sseewhathappens.”

Instructions“Turnupthecardsonthethirdpre-dealtdeal.Puteachhanddummystyleattheedgeofthetableinfrontofeachplayer.”


Dealer:South 10762 AK962 10 4 63 AK8 Q 4 QJ5 10 8 3 AQJ6 K753 K Q 4 J 10 8 2 J953 7 4 9 8 2 A975

The Bidding“Southpasses.Withabalancedhandand22HCPs,whatisWest’sopeningbid?(2.)Northpasses.WhatdoesEastrespond?(2)Howdoes theauctionproceedfromthere?(Westrebids2NTshowing22to24HCP.Easttakespartnertogamebyrebidding3NT.)Whatisthecontract?(3NT.)Whoisthedeclarer?(West.)”

The Defense“Whomakestheopeninglead?(North.)Whatwouldtheopeningleadbe?(6.)Why?(Fourthhighestfromthelongestandstrongestsuit.)Aftertheopeninglead,whichcardsmustNorthandSouthbecarefultoholdontoifdeclarerstartstakingtricks?(Northmustholdontoallofthehearts.SouthmustholdontoalowheartalongwiththeA.)”

NW E

S


Despitetheearlierexercises,Northmaybereluctanttoleadalowheart.Ifthatisthecase,letNorthdefendbyleadingahighheartandtakealookattheendresulttoseethedifferenceitmakes.Whiledeclarerwillprobablyleadaclubbeforetakingalloftheotherwinners,itstillisusefultopointouttoNorthandSouthwhichcardstheyhavetoholdonto.Therewillbemorediscussionofthisinlaterlessons.

The Play“Reviewthestepsindeclarer’sPLAN.Howdoesdeclarerplantomakethecontract?(Declarerneedsninetricksandhasthreespadetricksandfourdiamond tricks.After theheart lead,declarerhaseight tricks.Theextratrickwillhavetocomefrompromotionintheclubsuit,bydrivingouttheA.)”

Conclusion“TheonlywayforthedefenderstodefeatthecontractisforNorthtoleadalowheart.Declarertakesthefirsttrick,butwhenSouthgetstheleadwiththeA,Southleadsaheart.Northhasenoughwinnerstodefeatthecon-tract.NoticethatSouthshouldreturnpartner’ssuitevenwhendeclarer’sJ winsthefirsttrick.AlsonoticethatSouthmustrisewiththeAatthefirstopportunity—otherwise,declarercancashninewinners(fourdiamonds,threespades,oneheartandoneclub)forgame.”


EXERCISE TWELVE: Listening to the Opponents

Introduction“Sometimestheopponentsgiveyouinformationabouttheirhandsthroughthebidding.Itisworthlisteningtowhattheyhavetosay.Whenyouarenotsurewhattolead,chooseasuittheopponentshaven’tmentioned,anunbidsuit.Thenextdealillustrateswhythiscanworkwell.”

Instructions“Turnupthecardsonthefourthpre-dealtdeal.Puteachhanddummystyleattheedgeofthetableinfrontofeachplayer.”


Dealer:West K Q J 96 K J 9 4 3 A76 98765 4 7 4 2 A853 6 A875 K 9 4 3 Q 10 8 2 A1032 K Q J 10 Q 10 2 J5

The Bidding“Westpasses.WhatisNorth’sopeningbid?(1.)WhycanEastnotover-callormakeatakeoutdouble?(Easthasnofive-cardsuittoovercallanddoesnothavesupportforalloftheunbidsuits.)WhatdoesEastdo?(Pass.)WhichsuitdoesSouthbidattheonelevel?(1,bidding‘uptheline.’)Westpasses.HowdoesNorthdescribe thisbalancedhand? (1NT.)Eastpasses.Atwhatleveldoesthecontractbelong?(Game.)WhatdoesSouthbid?(3NT.)Howdoestheauctionproceedfromthere?(Pass,pass,pass.)Whatisthecontract?(3NT.)Whoisthedeclarer?(North.)”

The Defense“Whomakestheopeninglead?(East.)Afterlisteningtotheauction,whichsuitshouldEastchoose?(Clubs,anunbidsuit.)?Whichcard?(2,fourthhighest.)WhatwouldhappenifEastchoseadifferentsuit?(DeclarerwouldwinthetrickandhavetimetodriveouttheAandmakethecontract.)”

NW E

S


The Play“Reviewthestepsindeclarer’sPLAN.Howdoesdeclarerplantomakethecontract?(Declarerneedsninewinners.Therearefoursuretricksinspadesandonesure trick inclubs.Thediamondsuitwillprovidefourwinnersthroughpromotionandtheheartsuitonlythree.ThereforedeclarerwouldplantodriveouttheAtomakethecontract.”

Conclusion“Easthasachoiceofthreesuitsthatwouldbereasonabletolead.Aftereavesdroppingontheopponents’bidding,however,theunbidsuitbecomesthelogicalchoice,eventhoughitistheweakestofthethree.IfEastleadsanothersuit,declarerwillhavenotroublemakingthecontract.”

Documents

LESSON 1 - Amazon S3Lesson 1 — Opening Leads Against Notrump Contracts 9 GENERAL INTRODUCTION This is the firstlesson of the third series. Although there may be some students who