[han]

ralph23, on Sep 27 2007, 02:53 PM, said:

Hannie, on Sep 27 2007, 03:17 PM, said:

ralph23, on Sep 27 2007, 09:57 AM, said:

lowerline, on Sep 27 2007, 07:13 AM, said:

Isn't it standard to lead the Q from QJ9x(x)?

Yes. It doesn't always work out but it is indeed standard....

I don't think so, not against NT. I don't even know what the word standard means here.

With QJ9x I usually lead the queen and with QJ9xx I usually lead fourth. But it depends on the auction.

"Standard" means generally accepted. That is not the same meaning as "correct" or "best" of course; just generally accepted as the regular procedure and stated as such by acknowledged published authorities.

Root, How To Defend, states (p.2) standard as this: with a 3-card sequence, lead the top regardless of length, against NT or suit. QJT, lead the Q. QJTxx, same.

With the 1st and 2nd honors, lacking the 3rd but specifically holding the 4th, treat it as if it were a 3-card sequence. QJ9, treat as if it were QJT.

However, if declarer or dummy is known to have 4 cards in the suit, 4th best may be right; Root gives an example (#22) where leading 4th best from QJT43 is the winning play; but surely this isn't the case when you hold a string such as QJ987!

If you have a published authority who holds differently, it would be great to see it... there are a lot of considerations of course.

Here, leading 4th best fooled partner and a comedy of errors ensued.

Would you lead the 8 from specifically QJ987 ??

I'd say that it is generally accepted by experts that low is more often the correct from QJ9xx. I could be wrong about this, I didn't poll all of them. For me QJ9xx means that I don't have the 8, just like J10xxx means I don't have the 9. I think that is generally accepted notation but I can't prove it.

I can't trump the evidence you present. In fact, I don't own any book that says anything about what honor you should lead from any sequence, isn't that pathetic? Maybe I should order some books by Audrey Grant.

[ralph23]

Hannie, on Sep 27 2007, 05:06 PM, said:

Would you lead the 8 from specifically QJ987 ??

I guess you are implying then (are you??), that you would then lead the Queen from this holding QJ987 ???

[han]

You are quoting yourself with my name above it.

I would generally lead the queen from QJ987.

[ArtK78]

Seems to me that it depends a great deal on what you know about the hand in determining the correct card to lead from QJ9xx. With shortness on your left, the Q is probably best.

And, as has often been pointed out in bridge literature, if RHO has length in the suit, and you need tricks from this suit against a no trump contract, the low lead may be the only chance, hoping that partner has at least the 10.

The correct card to lead often depends on your objective on the hand. Sure, if you consult any opening lead table, it will say that you lead the Q. But that is not always the best lead on the hand.

[jdonn]

Hannie, on Sep 27 2007, 06:04 PM, said:

Josh Donn is freaking amazing!

[han]

I never said that, you must have cut 's mom right after Donn.

[kenberg]

You lead the 8 and it goes 8 2 3 4

Is it possible for the original layout to be


******** 53


KT62 *******************A4



I think so. Maybe declarer has some work to do in a side suit, say length missing the A and K, assumed to be split. He reads the 8 as being from spots, possibly two. If so, suppose he plays the ace at trick 1 and starts in on his Q high suit. Opening leader hops up and continues the original suit with his remaining spot, the nine is played on declarer's right (or the J if dummy plays the T) and the suit is cleared while declarer's rho still holds an entry in declarer's suit. Ducking at trick one cuts communication. This could be his worry, and his reason for ducking. Hardly exotic.

So the above layout appears to me to be possible. Partner has discouraged. Still a continuation may well be right. Harmless in terms of tricks, but might lose tempo.


As to the lead at trick 1 it seems to me, lacking clear clues from the bidding, the Q is both standard and apt to be right. Certainly the cards can be arranged to make it turn out wrong.