[helene_t]

The proper moment to ask about the auction, if you are the defender not to make the opening lead, is after the lead has been made face-down. Why is that? I know it is allowed to ask questions later, but it is generally advised to try to ask the questions only when the lead is face-down.

I see why one shouldn't ask before that. A lead-directing question would put p under ethical pressure. But what is wrong with waiting until it is one's turn to play to trick one?

[jeffford76]

Because if your question reveals misinformation in the auction (including, for example, a failure to alert an alertable bid), the director should be called. Then whoever made the last call for your side is likely to be allowed to change it. This chance goes away once the lead is faced.

[bluejak]

There is also a waste of time reason. You want to plan the hand. If you do not know what the auction means, then you have to wait until your turn, then you ask the questions, and now you think. Far better to ask earlier, and think while declarer is thinking on sight of dummy.

[helene_t]

That makes a lot of sense! Thank you, both!

[Mbodell]

There's also the practical reason that asking for explanations before the dummy comes down means the dummy will not influence the explanations nor the questions. Because sometimes your tone when the dummy comes down might imply the dummy surprised you which would be UI for your partner. Likewise, sometimes declarer's explanation of the auction might be influenced by the dummy (not that it should be).

[Cascade]

jeffford76, on Jul 21 2009, 11:15 AM, said:

Because if your question reveals misinformation in the auction (including, for example, a failure to alert an alertable bid), the director should be called. Then whoever made the last call for your side is likely to be allowed to change it. This chance goes away once the lead is faced.

Partner can also change the lead if there is misinformation.

[zheddh]

So, when does the leader face the card up? When partner asks to do so?

[Mbodell]

zheddh, on Jul 20 2009, 09:48 PM, said:

So, when does the leader face the card up? When partner asks to do so?

Yes. A frequent pattern, at least locally, is the person on lead puts the card face down on the table and says "questions, partner?" and faces the lead only when partner says "no questions".

The other most frequent reason in practice for the face down lead and this question is a not-uncommon answer is "why are you trying to lead partner, aren't I on lead?" which prevents a lead out of turn.

[mycroft]

Yeah, my partner's most common question is "why (*) are you leading, partner?"

(*) can be blank. Or, depending on partner, the opponents, and whether we're in the club or the bar, not.

[blackshoe]

Presumed declarer is also entitled to ask questions before the opening lead is faced. Most players don't know this, I expect, based on the reactions I get when I ask putative declarer if he has any questions before I face my lead.