LESSON 28.2: SUIT TO LEAD AGAINST A NOTRUMP CONTRACT

Dealer: North

South

K 7
J 8 3
J 9 6 5
Q 10 6 4

South

West

North

East

 
Pass
Pass

 
3NT
 

1
Pass
 

1NT
Pass
 

Lead of the 3 (3rd best under an honor)

Lead your partner's suit unless limited to a singleton in the suit and holding a good suit of your own

Dealer: West

South

K 7 2
8
9 6 5 2
K Q J 6 4

South

West

North

East

 
Pass
Pass

1
2NT
Pass

1
Pass
Pass

1NT
3NT
 

Lead of the K (K from K Q J)

Lead your own long suit, especially when partner has raised the suit or when you hold an outside entry

Dealer: East

South

J 9
8
10 6 5 4
Q 9 8 4 3 2

South

West

North

East

 
Pass
Pass

 
3NT
 

 
Pass
 

1NT
Pass
 

Lead of the 4 or the J

When your side has not declared a good suit of his own, avoid leading a long suit, especially if the suit is weak or has been declared by the opponents

- rather lead a worthless three or four-card suit

- or lead a three-card suit headed by an honor sequence
  (A K x K Q x Q J x J 10 x)

- or lead from a doubleton without a top honor

Dealer: North

South

Q J 7
8 6 4
5
J 10 8 4 3 2

South

West

North

East

 
Pass
Pass

 
3NT
Pass

1
Double
 

1NT
Pass
 

Lead of the 5 (partner's suit)

When partner has doubled a 3NT contract, lead his suit even when limited to a singleton

Dealer: West

South

A 5
K Q 10 8 6 4
5 3
J 10 8

South

West

North

East

 
2
Pass

1
3NT
Pass

Pass
Double
 

1NT
Pass
 

Lead of the K (K from K Q 10 x x x)

When partner has doubled a 3NT contract without overcalling in a suit of his own, lead your own bid suit

Dealer: West

South

A 7 5
Q 10 8 6 5
5 3
J 4

South

West

North

East

 
Pass
Pass
Pass

1
1
3NT
Pass

Pass
Pass
Double
 

1
2NT
Pass
 

Lead of the J (J from J x)

When partner has doubled a 3NT contract and your side has not bid any suit, lead the first suit bid by dummy