[jillybean]

Scoring: MP

2♠ (P) P (dbl)
P (3nt)

---

What is the best lead here?

and...

(2♥) 2nt

2nt is not ♣'s and ♦'s but a 2nt type hand - correct?

tyia

jb

[Elianna]

I don't make good leads, but I'll answer your second question: Yes, 2NT should show a balanced, usually 15-19 HCP hand (with a heart stopper).

[cherdano]

jillybean2, on Oct 30 2006, 01:55 AM, said:

Scoring: MP

2♠ (P) P (dbl)
P  (3nt)

---

What is the best lead here?

I would lead ♠A.

Arend

[Winstonm]

Generally the object of leading against NT is to lead our combined longest suit in order to build up length tricks after the opps stoppers are gone - here partner has been kind enough to tell me we have 8 spades between us - as nothing else has the length prospects of this suit I lead the spade ace.

[jillybean]

Ace seems obvious however we were discussing the benefit of leading another suit so partner can lead up to the ♠Ace and have a ♠ return

Is there any merit to this idea?

jb

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

Ace of spades.

And yes 2NT is the same as a 1 NT opening.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[P_Marlowe]

jillybean2, on Oct 30 2006, 12:34 AM, said:

Ace seems obvious however we were discussing the benefit of leading another suit so partner can lead up to the ♠Ace and have a ♠ return

Is there any merit to this idea?

jb

Hi,

the main trouble is, that you need opener
to hold precisely 2 spades, else he can duck
twice and you cant continue spades.
Additionally you need, that partner has an
outside entry, and after he used the entry to
firea spade through, the spade suit may or may
not be developed, but partner wont have a 2nd
entry.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[EricK]

jillybean2, on Oct 30 2006, 05:34 AM, said:

Ace seems obvious however we were discussing the benefit of leading another suit so partner can lead up to the ♠Ace and have a ♠ return

Is there any merit to this idea?

jb

For this to work, partner is going to need at least one and probably two entries outside spades. But if that is the case, Ace followed by another will almost certainly defeat the contract anyway.

[kenberg]

Imo, the best lead is very uncertain. It's mps, so giving away a trick is always a concern. Also, the auction is not quite an everyday one. For one thing, you have only two hearts which means that either partner has opened 2S holding four hearts (not common because even if he would do so, he doesn't get dealt 6-4 as often as he is dealt tamer distributiuons) or else the opponents have elected to play in NT holding an eight card fit in hearts. Which means that if either game makes you annot let them take as many tricks in NT as others do in hearts. Further, your right hand opponent passed over 2S but jumped to 3N over a balancing double. My guess is theat your rho holds something like KQTx of spades and, because of vulnerabilty (they are you aren't), thinks bidding game is better than playing for penalties. This would have your partner opening 2S on a suit headed by the Jack. I don't do that but many players, including very good ones, do. Knowing your partner's inclinations may be of use here.

I hold two entries and a five card suit. I think I lead a diamond. Partner is supposed to understand that I do as I think best, even if it is wrong. As this may well be.

I would not criticize a spade lead. Partner bid 'em, you lead 'em. But I try a diamond.

Ken

[Free]

At MP I definetly lead a low ♣ since I don't put much faith in partner's 2M openings at this vulnerability.
In imps I guess you should lead ♠A anyway, with a very small chance for success...