7-04-2026

Hold on to your Aces.

The text book suggests that it is usually bad to lead an unsupported Ace

in a suit contract and it can be even worse to underlead an Ace.

This gave S a bit of a problem on todays deal.

The bidding will probably be quite straightfoward on most tables and even if S makes some kind of noise E/W should end up in a number of spades.

If S does get in the auction (with a double?) N might be forced to bid diamonds and now the lead against a spade contract will be easier.

Without any information from North, South had a tricky lead.

Ace and another trump is possible but a lead from one of the minor suits is ill advised. Lets see what happens is S breaches a minor suit.

AC ends up being safe and N/S make the two club tricks they were due. That lead does make it easy for E/W to make 2 club tricks without any fancy finessing.

If S chooses to lead diamonds the card they lead depends upon wether their partner bid the suit.

Either way the best lead would be the AD which then sets up the K. More costly is a small diamond which gets won by declarers K and then QH can be followed by AH and KH in dummy and the losing diamond disappears on the KH.

The safest lead looks like a heart but sadly this runs to Easts Q, 10, and sets up the hearts.

Overall the S hand is dangerous to lead from but leading is part of the game and a lead must be found. In hindsight it looks like A and other spade is the safest option.

Tip of the week.

Be careful leading a suit containing an unsupported Ace in a suit contract.

The analysis is my own opinion and you may well disagree. Always make sure you know your own system before you play.

Mark Rixon