Should you lead a doubleton in bridge?
Leading a doubleton is usually poor, unless partner has bid the suit. Leading a singleton is OK, but not in declarers suit, as this will usually cost at least one trick.
Should you lead from a king in bridge?
The opening lead often has a significant effect on the outcome of the game. Opening leads come with no guarantees. Even experienced bridge players will not always be right. Usually, you should lead the suit your partner bid, unless you have a good reason not to.
What is a good lead in bridge?
Against notrump, usually lead your best suit (the 4th highest card, unless you have an honor-topped sequence like J109 or 1098). Against suit contracts, a side-suit singleton is a good lead, unless you have a very strong/long trump holding.
How do you lead a contract bridge?
Lead the fourth-best card (count down from the top) from your longest and strongest suit unless:
- Partner has bid a suit. You should then lead his suit.
- Your long suit is one the opponents have bid.
- Your long suit has three or more touching honors (KQJx, QJ10x, AQJ10x, J109x, etc.).
Should you lead a singleton in bridge?
Leading a singleton is most likely to be effective when: It is in an unbid suit, where there is a good chance partner holds the ace, or some strength. When we expect partner can gain the lead and return the suit before declarer can draw all of our trumps.
What is the rule of eleven in bridge?
The Rule of 11 is a mathematical corollary to fourth-best leads. It enables the third hand player to count how many cards declarer holds which are higher than the opening lead. The Rule works as follows: Subtract the opening lead spot card from 11.
What does lead away from a king mean in bridge?
Leading an unsupported King or Queen is sending him or her to the slaughter house. You should not lead an honor unless you have the next lower one. This can be an acceptable lead if you have 2 cards in a suit that partner has bid, an honor card and a low one.
When should you lead an ace in bridge?
Have you heard the motto, “Never underlead an ace”. There is much validity to this, but it needs clarification: At Trick One (although not once dummy is tabled), in a trump contract (not notrumps), it is most unwise to lead a low card from a suit headed by the ace….“Never underlead an ace”
| ♠ | A J 4 |
|---|---|
| ♣ | A 10 6 3 |
What does 8 ever 9 never mean in bridge?
“Eight ever, nine never,” is the old saying, meaning that with eight cards missing the queen you should finesse against it, but with nine you should play for the drop.
What does Underlead an ace mean in bridge?
We NEVER lead a low card from a suit in which we have an unsupported ace or an unsupported king. This is called “underleading”. You will hear bridge players say: “We never underlead an ace”. ‘Unsupported’ means not having the next honour below. So an unsupported ace is where you do not have the king in the same suit.
What are the rules for opening leads in bridge?
So our first rule for opening leads is… Lead the suit that is the longest and strongest in the combined hands of the partnership. Save your high cards in other suits to recapture the lead after your long suit has been established. You can’t always tell which suit is longest and strongest because you see only your own hand, and not partner’s.
What are the guidelines for opening leads from four card suits?
Clubs and diamonds are your longest and strongest suits, though they are only four card suits. What are our guidelines for opening leads from four card suits not bid by declarer’s side? Avoid opening leads from four card suits headed by a high tenace (two honors with a hole in their sequence). That leaves the majors.
How do you lead with a ♥ a in bridge?
Lead the ♥ A, and look closely at partner’s carding. If she has the ♥ K, she’ll play an encouraging card, and you will continue hearts. If she discourages hearts, you’ll shift to clubs. The bidding told you to take such wild chances with your opening lead.
What is a good opening lead for a doubleton?
Leading from a worthless doubleton is a good protecting lead. If partner has any honors in this suit, you will be leading towards them, which is good. This opening lead protects your honors in the other three suits.