[helene_t]

Red vs White, you hold ♠Axx ♥Jx ♦AQxx ♣AQxx.
It goes[FONT=Courier]
LHO Pd RHO You
Pass Pass 2♥* dbl
3♥ pass pass pass
2♥ was not alerted but according to the CC it should be Muiderberg (Lucas). If you bother to ask they will say it was Muiderberg. What's you lead? (sorry the ten of clubs was a mistake but it doesn't matter that much)

This post has been edited by helene_t: 2005-April-11, 05:13

[Chamaco]

I lead a trump.
It may occasionaly lose a trump trick, but given LHO's raise, many more times it will reduce ruffing power.

If defence needs to reduce ruffs, leading a trump at trick one will allow you to lead another as you gain the lead at the next trick.

Moreover, no other clear lead stands out as straightforward.

[Walddk]

♥x

Opener has shown 5 hearts and 4+ in a minor. The convention is popular in some parts of Europe, especially the Netherlands and Great Britain. I see no alternative to a trump lead. I do not underlead an ace against a suit contract, and cashing one of the aces will only beat air.

All side suits are controlled, so I will get the chance to see what is the right continuation in a minute.

Roland

[ochinko]

I agree with the trump lead, but isn't ♥J better than ♥x? Partner could have ♥Qxx. Leading a small trump marks me with one high card in hearts or none, whereas I could have lead ♥J from QJx.

[kgr]

Walddk, on Apr 11 2005, 08:23 AM, said:

♥x

Opener has shown 5 hearts and 4+ in a minor. The convention is popular in some parts of Europe, especially the Netherlands and Great Britain. I see no alternative to a trump lead. I do not underlead an ace against a suit contract, and cashing one of the aces will only beat air.

All side suits are controlled, so I will get the chance to see what is the right continuation in a minute.

Roland

Also ♥J for me.

Roland,

Why ♥x
In other suits leading from Qx, Jx, TX i would always lead the top card. Correct? Is that less clear if leading trump?

[Walddk]

kgr, on Apr 11 2005, 04:15 AM, said:

Why ♥x
In other suits leading from Qx, Jx, TX i would always lead the top card. Correct? Is that less clear if leading trump?

I don't think anyone has or should have agreements on which card to lead from the trump suit. Sometimes I will lead the jack, sometimes the small card from this holding.

The point is that my partner could not care less about how many trumps I have. On the auction I don't think it matters much which card you lead. Anyway, let declarer do his own work and guess if he has a guess.

In other situations, later in the play, a trump echo may be needed in order to help partner (can he give you a ruff or not).

Roland

[Wiste1]

♠x

[kgr]

Walddk, on Apr 11 2005, 09:37 AM, said:

kgr, on Apr 11 2005, 04:15 AM, said:

Why ♥x
In other suits leading from Qx, Jx, TX i would always lead the top card. Correct? Is that less clear if leading trump?

I don't think anyone has or should have agreements on which card to lead from the trump suit. Sometimes I will lead the jack, sometimes the small card from this holding.

The point is that my partner could not care less about how many trumps I have. On the auction I don't think it matters much which card you lead. Anyway, let declarer do his own work and guess if he has a guess.

In other situations, later in the play, a trump echo may be needed in order to help partner (can he give you a ruff or not).

Roland

... of course!
Thanks for the answer Roland

[joker_gib]

I would also lead the ♥J

Alain

[luke warm]

♣Q

my hand looks badly placed, i think i'll make him guess quickly

[the hog]

Low S. H lead is too likely to cost a trick. Pd doesn't have much and lho figures to have some values.

[whereagles]

Small heart, with small spade a 2nd choice. Both can turn out terribly wrong, though... lol.

[helene_t]

I almost decided not to tell what I did at table since it was too pathetic, but anyway .... the ace of spades.

Dummy had ♠KT9x, partner Qxxxx and declarer J. A low spade is an interesting suggestion, especially against a declarer who trusts you. Anyway, I suppose a trump lead is safe unless partner has ♥Qxx, correct?

[MickyB]

helene_t, on Apr 11 2005, 12:00 PM, said:

Anyway, I suppose a trump lead is safe unless partner has ♥Qxx, correct?

Or Kx.

[luke warm]

do you remember the hands?

[helene_t]

Scoring: MP

---

[Walddk]

So a heart is just fine. If declarer draws a second round, we will know where partner's king is (if he has any). If South wins the lead in his hand and advances ♠J, we had better be prepared for it. It shouldn't come as a total shock that he will lead a spade next.

The worst part, however, is that we have a game on - either 4♠ or 5♣. Why partner didn't come in with 3♠ looking at 5-5 and a singleton heart I don't quite understand.

Roland

[Echognome]

I'm not sure that either are the best games in the world to be in, but as you say Roland... I've been in worse.

As far as the original post, my understanding is that Lucas is "hearts and another", whereas Muiderberg is "hearts and a minor." That might make a big difference as to whether your partner will want to come in on his values. Imagine for example that North had bid the 2♥ instead of South. However, playing against Muiderberg, your focus will tend to be around the other major.

[Walddk]

Echognome, on Apr 12 2005, 07:08 AM, said:

I'm not sure that either are the best games in the world to be in, but as you say Roland... I've been in worse.

Not sure what you mean. Both 4♠ and 5♣ are great contracts. You can take them both to your bank manager!

Roland

[jdulmage]

helene_t, on Apr 11 2005, 03:11 AM, said:

Red vs White, you hold ♠Axx ♥Jx ♦AQxx ♣AQxx.
It goes[FONT=Courier]
LHO Pd RHO You
Pass Pass 2♥* dbl
3♥ pass pass pass
2♥ was not alerted but according to the CC it should be Muiderberg (Lucas). If you bother to ask they will say it was Muiderberg. What's you lead? (sorry the ten of clubs was a mistake but it doesn't matter that much)

Easy, J♥ - man would I love for my partner to have KQx♥, we destroy the A♥, get in again, draw trump with KQ♥ if we know the declarer is preparing to cross ruff.