[mikestar]

In the ACBL, what is deemed standard is pretty much what Watson had in his book in the 1930's with two exceptions: We no longer lead the honor from Jxx or Txx, and there is no standard lead from xxx.

Signals are
Attitude: High = encouraging
Count: High = even
Suit preference: High = higher suit

NT leads
fourth best
low from Hxx
hign from doubletons
A = asks unblock or count
K from AK or KQ
Q from QJ, etc.

Suit leads
fourth best
low from Hxx (exept Axx)
high from doubletons
A denies the King
K from AK or KQ
Q from QJ, etc.

In many areas of North America few partnerships play all of this--it's more a set of standard defaults the the opponents can assume if nothing contrary is marked on the CC.

[the hog]

ArcLight, on Aug 11 2005, 10:24 PM, said:

Whats a "Combine" lead?

This web site gives a good illustration of Combine leads. They are the creation of one of the best bridge theorists around, Lukasz Slawinski.

http://www.new-bridge.net/

[Chamaco]

LEADS

In Italy the vast majority of players plays either:

a. attitude lead from unknown length (it's surprising how often the count lead helps declarer more than pard)

b. 3rd/5th vs any contract (basically hi-low to show even cards, low-hi to show odd no. of cards)

Top players of course play more sophisticated systems of leads but if you happen to play on BBO with italians, that's the most likely system of leads

CARDING

Most people in Italy plays that an odd card is encouraging, an even card discouraging, and std count.

Quite a few people play std carding (hi enc, low disc), and you'll rarely meet udca carding unless playing vs serious competitive players.

[Chamaco]

FrancesHinden, on Aug 11 2005, 08:40 AM, said:

Another UK standard which is different from the US is the King is the strong lead against NT (asking for unblock, or if you can't unblock, count).

This is common also in Italy: well, to say the truth, most (low-midflight) players ignore altogether leads asking for count/unblock, but, among those who do agree it, the vast majority plays K -> unblock/count.

Also, quite a bunch of players plays the "Jack denies" agreement on lead.

"MUD" from xxx, or even Txx/Jxx is most frequently played