21st June 2017

An opening lead problem from a duplicate at Cheadle Hulme Bridge Club earlier this year.


 S  J104
 H  K105
 D  J64
 C  A987

Love All. Match points Dealer North

South
West
North
East


1D 1H
2C 2H 3C 3H
3NT
Pass
Pass
Pass


After your partner has overcalled hearts and you have raised them the opponents land in three notrump.  What do you lead?

Solution

It seems normal to lead the suit bid by partner, especially as partner will normally have six of them for his three heart call, but which one to lead?
Declarer is likely to hold the heart ace for the three notrump call, so there is some danger of blocking the suit if partner's hearts are Qxxxxx.
Therefore lead the ten (or king) of hearts.

The full deal was

Dealer North
S
A72
   
Love All
H
96
   
    D AK102
   
    C J543
   
S
J104
    S
KQ86
H
K105
    H
Q87432
D
J64
    D
975
C
A987
    C
-
    S
953
   
    H
AJ
   
    D
Q83
   
    C
KQ1062
   

IAs can be seen on the lead of a small heart the heart suit is blocked and declarer easily makes ten tricks by setting up the club suit.