[shanbari]

Scoring: MP

---

-------------(1N)--P
(2S*)--P--(2N*)--P
--//

opponent plays 2/1 system, 15-17 NT.
2s* = asking for range, usually deny majors.
2N* = minimal hand


this is one ordinary hand in match point game.
i was told that sometimes conservative lead could be the best in matchpoint game, is it true for this hand, which lead do you pick ?

thanks, shan.

[rogerclee]

♦3. Partner didn't double spades, but I don't think I would be inclined to lead this anyway. I try not to lead from Axxx against matchpoint NT contracts (and IMP contracts too, but to a lesser extent). ♣J is also an unattractive lead to me, since it requires so much from partner and can be very wrong whenever clubs is one of declarer's best suits (it will guess the suit for him, and will actually just blow up a trick reasonably often). Diamond is a reasonable middle ground.

[paulhar]

I might be flying solo on this one but I lead a heart. Majors rate to be better than minors on this auction and I put some credence into partner's pass over 2S. Besides, hearts is my longer major! While I may blow a trick on the lead if partner has specifically QJ10(x), I'm getting a start on setting up my fourth heart. A diamond just seems too risky to me - there's a reasonable chance I'll find diamonds in the dummy.

[Edmunte1]

♠8 my choice, though i think that majority will lead ♥

[Codo]

I lead a heart. When they had bid 1 NT 2 NT pass, where partner had not been able to double spades, a spade lead had been a good alternative. But now, I take the boring line of 4. best of my longest and strongest.

[Fluffy]

heart as well, diamond might blow a trick more often and also opponents failure to stayman make sit more likelly to be our ebst suit.

[655321]

Diamond for me, although I think a spade is reasonable too.

I would not lead a heart because I think Axxx is a bad suit to lead from.

[P_Marlowe]

From the bidding you know, that they will have 23-24HCP,
i.e. they will have a reasonable chance of making 2NT.

So at IMPs you should go with an agressive lead, because
most likely that will be your only chance of beating the
contract.

Playing MP, well beating the contract still pays, but overtricks
are more costly.
So if you want to avoid giving away tricks, I would recommend
you go with a spade, responder will usually not have 4 spades,
i.e. if declarer is looking for a spade honor, he will find him most
of the time.

I would go with a diamond, but I usally play MP the same way as
I play IMPs.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[H_KARLUK]

♥6

[Phil]

Systemic spade and I don't think its close.

If we want to go passive it is clearly the best, but we might get a surprise trick source from partner too.

This is an auction where a passive lead can pay off. The opponents have around 24 points and will have to work for 8 tricks.

[jdonn]

Spade. No particular confidence.

[MarkDean]

I would lead a diamond. Second chocie spade. If partner had not had a chance to double 2♠, I would consider it close, so this tipped the scale for me. In the last two years, I have lead from a four card suit headed by the ace, against no trump, exactly thrice. For the most part, this has worked well for me.

[Codo]

MarkDean, on Mar 3 2009, 04:12 AM, said:

I would lead a diamond. Second chocie spade. If partner had not had a chance to double 2♠, I would consider it close, so this tipped the scale for me. In the last two years, I have lead from a four card suit headed by the ace, against no trump, exactly thrice. For the most part, this has worked well for me.

And because leading from the ace had worked so far, you now switch to leading from the queen?

[jdonn]

Codo, on Mar 3 2009, 03:03 AM, said:

MarkDean, on Mar 3 2009, 04:12 AM, said:

I would lead a diamond.  Second chocie spade.  If partner had not had a chance to double 2♠, I would consider it close, so this tipped the scale for me.  In the last two years, I have lead from a four card suit headed by the ace, against no trump, exactly thrice.  For the most part, this has worked well for me.

And because leading from the ace had worked so far, you now switch to leading from the queen?

I think he meant leading from the ace so rarely (just three times in two years) has worked well for him.

[dicklont]

Spade.
No need to lead aggressively, I just try not to give away a trick.
I might finesse something in partners hand, but declarer could have done that by himself.
The trick can come back when partner scores the 13th spade.

[MFA]

I would lead a heart with spade a close second.

[gnasher]

I'd lead a diamond. A heart is too aggressive, and a spade is too passive.

[shanbari]

Scoring: MP

---

-------------(1N)--P
(2S*)--P--(2N*)--P
--//


CJ would be ruled out, even though it worked out best on this deal.

S8 would prevent partner being endplay in both black suits, besides no cost at this layout.

Hx lead won't cost anything either, but partner would be puzzled when opponent runs all the heart tricks.

Dx lead cost a trick right away, and partner still would be end play in black suits.

;

thanks again for everyone's input, and i feel S8 seems more passive lead in matchpoint.