LATER LEADS

 
 
     It is in the middle of the hand and you are on lead.  What do you play?  Things to consider: the bidding (or lack of) by partner and  opponents; previous play by partner and Declarer; and finally the cards that are in your hand and in Dummy.   If  you are totally at a loss as what to lead and there is no Devine Inspiration and the old Rule of Thumb (play the card closest to your thumb) seems quite arbitrary, then let the Dummy tell you what card to put on the table.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

 If you are to play before Dummy then lead through Dummy’s strength.  EXAMPLE 1 lead the S 5 or S 8 depending if you are playing TON (Top Of Nothing) or MUD (Middle / Up / Down).
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

If  you are to play after Dummy then lead around to Dummy’s weakness.  EXAMPLE 2 lead the D 3. The fourth best with an honor.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 



If the Dummy is short in a suit and is about trump losers then lead trump.  Spades are trump in EXAMPLE 3.  No matter where you sit lead a Spade to prevent possible Diamond ruffs. 

In EXAMPLE 4 if you are before Dummy lead a Spade or a Diamond; if behind Dummy lead a Heart or a Club.
EXAMPLES
1.
               DUMMY
XXXXXXXXS K 3 2
XXXXXXXXH 7 5
XXXXXXXXD 9 8 
XXXXXXXXC J 10 7

 YOUXXXXXXXX    
S8 5 2
HQ 7 3
DK 3 2
CQ 8

                 DECLARER

 
2.
DUMMY
SA J 3
HK J9
D8 7 5
CK 3
YOUX
SQ 6    
HQ 5 2 
D8 7 5  
CK 3    I
XXD
DECLARER

 
 3.
DUMMY
XXS 3 2
X   H A K
XXD 8 
XXCQ J 
_____

DECLARER

  4.
DUMMY
XS A 9
XH 7 3 2
XD K 9 4
XC 9 7
____

DECLARER

DO TEST XIII

 

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