Help
One of my weak points is choosing to lead or not lead a trump in a suit contract.
Assuming that partner hasn't bid a suit and one doesn't have a holding like: Kx in the trump suit
I've been taught not to lead a singleton trump, but is that always a good idea? (when it looks like a 4/4/4/1 trump split for example?)
Guessing at: 5/4, 5/3, 4/4 fits - is this helpful and if so how?
1S + 2S + all pass - good?
1C + 1S + 2S + all pass - good?
1S + 2S + 3C + 4S?
1S + 2NT + (3NT or not) + 4S ?
When declarer appears to be: 5/5 or 5/4 - in 2 suits?
Are 5/4 fits (e.g. Jacoby 2NT responses for example) a good time not to lead trump?
It seems obvious to me that hands with a ruffing trick in dummy or dummy reversals are often good for trump leads, but how does one pick that up from the bidding?
Ax or Axx - in trump - good leading the Ace and a small spade - when or when not? One online source says don't from Axx - why?
Any and all suggestions are most welcome. While I'm no "expert" - I'm not a novice and play 2/1 normally.
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Trump Opening Leads ??? When to and Not to Lead a Trump
#2
- Tubthumper
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Posted 2009-March-01, 13:53
Take this for what you will, but I lead trump when:
Declarer has a known 2nd suit that I have locked up, or believe partner has locked up.
I know based on the bidding (each hand limited) that they are stretching, and my trump holding is such that I believe trump is the most passive.
Partner has bid a suit, and I have the other two (I.E, it's likely their tricks are coming through ruffs).
There has been a two-suiter announced (like through a Michaels bid), and my trump holding is such that a forcing game for either myself or partner looks unlikely.
Declarer has made a strong opening bid (2C, 2N), and I believe I have the majority of our sides high card strength sitting over him.
They have sacrificed, and we have the majority of HCP strength (again, a situation where their tricks are likely to come through ruffs).
As for your examples of Ax and Axx, I would almost always lead a low trump from Axx, because if a trump lead is right, you OR partner will usually be able to get in and lead another trump (assuming 8 card fit), and if it is wrong, you have trump control to change course. Ax I would usually unblock the ace, except when I believe it is wrong.
I tend to avoid leading a singleton trump unless the auction screams for a trump lead, because it often pickles partner's trump holding, and because with trump splitting badly, a forcing game is often best.
I lead trump more often than most. When one of the situations above come to pass, I have to look for reasons NOT to lead trump, otherwise one is on the table. That being said, there are a lot of those reasons I look for, including a.) you have finnesable honors in what you believe to be dummy's long suit (ie, you need to get your tricks fast) b.) you believe that the defense needs ruffs to defeat the contract or c.) you think that a forcing game is best.
Hope this is helpful (unless you play against me
)
Declarer has a known 2nd suit that I have locked up, or believe partner has locked up.
I know based on the bidding (each hand limited) that they are stretching, and my trump holding is such that I believe trump is the most passive.
Partner has bid a suit, and I have the other two (I.E, it's likely their tricks are coming through ruffs).
There has been a two-suiter announced (like through a Michaels bid), and my trump holding is such that a forcing game for either myself or partner looks unlikely.
Declarer has made a strong opening bid (2C, 2N), and I believe I have the majority of our sides high card strength sitting over him.
They have sacrificed, and we have the majority of HCP strength (again, a situation where their tricks are likely to come through ruffs).
As for your examples of Ax and Axx, I would almost always lead a low trump from Axx, because if a trump lead is right, you OR partner will usually be able to get in and lead another trump (assuming 8 card fit), and if it is wrong, you have trump control to change course. Ax I would usually unblock the ace, except when I believe it is wrong.
I tend to avoid leading a singleton trump unless the auction screams for a trump lead, because it often pickles partner's trump holding, and because with trump splitting badly, a forcing game is often best.
I lead trump more often than most. When one of the situations above come to pass, I have to look for reasons NOT to lead trump, otherwise one is on the table. That being said, there are a lot of those reasons I look for, including a.) you have finnesable honors in what you believe to be dummy's long suit (ie, you need to get your tricks fast) b.) you believe that the defense needs ruffs to defeat the contract or c.) you think that a forcing game is best.
Hope this is helpful (unless you play against me
)
Chris Gibson
#3
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Posted 2009-March-01, 17:41
One of the very best short treatments of the subject I've read. I would add that you should tend to avoid leading from four trumps as well as from a stiff.
#4
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Posted 2009-March-01, 20:40
- Andy -
We are all connected to each other biologically, to the Earth chemically, and to the rest of the universe atomically.
We're in the universe, and the universe is in us.
We are all connected to each other biologically, to the Earth chemically, and to the rest of the universe atomically.
We're in the universe, and the universe is in us.
#5
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Posted 2009-March-02, 02:15
Good sensible reply C.S/Gibson especially the WORDS "Pickles your pards holding"
anyone for "Branston"))) regards
anyone for "Branston"
))) regards
#6
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Posted 2009-March-02, 04:39
Hi,
Trump leads are an option, when
#1 you want to go passive, the bidding tells you, that they reached
a thin contract and you hold xx or xxx in the trump suit, than a
trump lead is a nice alternative
Of course, if you also have KQJ in a side suit, and you choose a
trump and it turned out wrong, well, you know, Kaplans word,
"When god gave you a seq., you should lead from the seq."
Playing Pairs going passive with the opening lead is usually not
the worst strategy.
The decision to trying to go active or passive is first decision you
have to make, after that decision is made, you choose the suit.
#2 They are sac. and you have the majority of points
and control the 3 other suits, than a trump lead (even a
singleton) is mandatory
#3 Partner converted your t/o X, this is similar to #2, but in this
case, they dont sac. on a high level.
With kind regards
Marlowe
Trump leads are an option, when
#1 you want to go passive, the bidding tells you, that they reached
a thin contract and you hold xx or xxx in the trump suit, than a
trump lead is a nice alternative
Of course, if you also have KQJ in a side suit, and you choose a
trump and it turned out wrong, well, you know, Kaplans word,
"When god gave you a seq., you should lead from the seq."
Playing Pairs going passive with the opening lead is usually not
the worst strategy.
The decision to trying to go active or passive is first decision you
have to make, after that decision is made, you choose the suit.
#2 They are sac. and you have the majority of points
and control the 3 other suits, than a trump lead (even a
singleton) is mandatory
#3 Partner converted your t/o X, this is similar to #2, but in this
case, they dont sac. on a high level.
With kind regards
Marlowe
With kind regards
Uwe Gebhardt (P_Marlowe)
Uwe Gebhardt (P_Marlowe)
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