[BillHiggin]

My expectation of a Q lead from KQT9... may be a holdover from an earlier life playing Journalist leads. Am I more full of it than I think? My partner felt the Q lead should be from KQ9..., a holding where I would most often choose my 4th best.

So lol away!

[bid_em_up]

The purpose of leading the Q from KQ109 is to get partner to pitch the J whenever he has it. (He knows the lead cannot be from QJ anything.) This way, opening leader will know if it is safe to continue the suit or not.

From KQxx(xx), I would lead 4th/5th best, depending on your methods. You do not want partner to pitch the J in this scenario.

[TimG]

The Queen is listed in bold -- KQT9 -- on the ACBL convention card suggesting that it is the "standard" lead from this holding. So, I don't think your understanding is solely a result of your earlier Journalist life, though that may well be where the original idea came from.

EDIT: Indeed is is only listed as standard against NT contracts. I incorrectly assumed that was what was under discussion, in fact I would have sworn that NT was mentioned in a previous post. My bad.

[ArtK78]

The lead of the Q (requesting the unblock of the J) from KQT9 has become standard against notrump contracts. It is still not standard against suit contracts, and I don't believe it is indicated as standard against suit contracts on the ACBL convention card (I don't have one in front of me).

As for leading fourth best from a holding of KQ9x(x...) - that is far from clear. It could easily be right to lead an honor (which honor depends upon your lead methods). And it could easily be right to lead a low card (fourth best or whatever your lead methods dictate).

But I would not lead the Q from KQ9x(x...) if the lead of the Q requests the unblock of the J.

[bid_em_up]

TimG, on Jul 14 2009, 11:10 AM, said:

The Queen is listed in bold -- KQT9 -- on the ACBL convention card suggesting that it is the "standard" lead from this holding. So, I don't think your understanding is solely a result of your earlier Journalist life, though that may well be where the original idea came from.

EDIT: Indeed is is only listed as standard against NT contracts. I incorrectly assumed that was what was under discussion, in fact I would have sworn that NT was mentioned in a previous post. My bad.

It says "vs. NT" in the thread title. I assume it means for both of the given hands.

[ArtK78]

I missed the "vs. NT" in the title to the thread as well.

[peachy]

This time it was your partner who was full of it It is standard to lead the Q from KQ109 against NT, at least in ACBL. See the lead section of an ACBL convention card.

[Phil]

Standard is the Q asks attitude for the King, and asks an unblock with the Jack. Similarly, the King asks attitude for the Ace OR Queen. The Ace asks for an unblock of 10 or higher, otherwise it asks count.

Many players (including me) now use the King as the 'power' lead, which asks for an unblock of the Q or even the J, so from KQT9 you would lead the K. From KQTx, I would lead the Q because I don't want an unblock of the Jack.

From KQ9x, I very well might lead the 'x', although from KQ98 or KQ97 I'm more apt to lead the Q.

[skjaeran]

I'm used to leading the king from AKJT(xx) and the queen from KQT9(xx) vs NT, partner will unblock the Q/J when holding it.

[TimG]

bid_em_up, on Jul 14 2009, 01:01 PM, said:

It says "vs. NT" in the thread title.

I feel less crazy. Thanks.

[Cascade]

skaeran, on Jul 15 2009, 09:58 AM, said:

I'm used to leading the king from AKJT(xx) and the queen from KQT9(xx) vs NT, partner will unblock the Q/J when holding it.

me too

[Fluffy]

King asks for unblock, Queen says please do not unblock and encourage with the Jack or King (this is the lead from AKQx).

So KQ9 is queen or 4th, and KQ10 is King.

[gnasher]

In England, most good players lead the king from any holding that wants an unblock (AKJ10, KQ109, KQJ9). The queen is from either QJ or a KQ holding that doesn't want an unblock.

Traditionally, one led the king (or a low one) from all KQ holdings. I notice that the EBU's "Standard English" system (an attempt to create an English equivalent to SAYC) includes this. Playing this style, I believe that you lead low from KQ98x. Maybe that's why it went out of fashion.

[BillHiggin]

gnasher, on Jul 15 2009, 03:45 AM, said:

In England, most good players lead the king from any holding that wants an unblock (AKJ10, KQ109, KQJ9). The queen is from either QJ or a KQ holding that doesn't want an unblock.

Traditionally, one led the king (or a low one) from all KQ holdings. I notice that the EBU's "Standard English" system (an attempt to create an English equivalent to SAYC) includes this. Playing this style, I believe that you lead low from KQ98x. Maybe that's why it went out of fashion.

Thank you - I believe that clarifies things.
Indeed it was an English-American partnership. Looks like it was a "side of the ocean" misunderstanding.

Of course, WE have it right

[Wackojack]

My understanding as a Limey is:

From KQ109(x): Lead the King. Partner will unblock with the Jack if he has it.
From KQ9xx: By agreement, lead the Queen. Then normally:
If partner does not have the Jack or the 10, he will discourage.
If partner has the 10 and not the Jack, he will play it.
If partner has the Jack and not the 10, he will encourage if possible.
If partner has the Jack and the 10, he will play the Jack.

I have read this somewhere and seen it in action as an opponent but not had an opportunity to use it myself.
Also if partner can see that declarer must have A10 doubleton, he could pretend he has both the ace and the Jack.

I can see the merit in leading Q from KQ109(x) if you don't lead lead Q from KQ9xx

I happened to be Bill's partner, when I led King from KQ109 against 1NT and seeing Bill's 2 (std carding) and 2 small in dummy I promptly switched. Luckily it didn't cost. Vive la difference!

[BillHiggin]

2 my foot. It was the 5 spot! (from J 5 4 2)

[Wackojack]

Yes the 5 - my mistake. Strange because I remembered the 5, but when I wrote the post, I looked at the Lin files to check and by accident at the play on the other table. There Slothy led K and Aisha followed with the 2 from J532. They play UDCA and Slothy continued with the Q. Silly me!

[benlessard]

play power K leads. If you look at convention cards of top players 90% of them play the K for count/unblock vs Nt.


http://www.ecatsbridge.com/documents/docde...ConventionCards