Andrew:

Have you got the Ace of Trumps?

This article was taken from Andrew's What Should Have Happened Book

Against a trump contract, the opening lead from a doubleton is generally overrated. The likelihood of being able to trump the third round of the suit before declarer has removed all your trumps is small. Better to find an alternative lead - such as top of a sequence of two or more touching high cards. However when you have the controlling card in trumps - the ace - the lead of a doubleton becomes much more attractive. Declarer is bound to have difficulty drawing your trumps.

South Deals
Both Vul

♠ 10 5 4
♥ K J 5
♦ K Q 6 4
♣ Q 7 6

♠ A 3 2
♥ 8 6
♦ 10 7 5
♣ J 10 8 4 2

N
W		E
S

♠ K 8
♥ 10 9 7 4 2
♦ 9 2
♣ A 9 5 3

♠ Q J 9 7 6
♥ A Q 3
♦ A J 8 3
♣ K

West	North	East	South
			1 ♠
Pass	2 ♦	Pass	4 ♦
Pass	4 ♠	Pass	Pass
Pass

4 ♠ by South

West correctly preferred to lead from his ♥ shortage than from his ♣ sequence. He led ♥8 - top card from a doubleton is standard practice enabling partner to know that you have none left after you follow with a lower card on the next round. Declarer won with ♥Q and led a low ♠. West rose with ♠A - essential - and led ♥6. Declarer won with ♥J in dummy and led a second trump. East won ♠K and led a third ♥. West trumped and the contract was defeated.

It may appear that ♣J lead to East’s ♣A and ♥10 switch would defeat the contract in a similar manner. But declarer can discard his third ♥ on dummy’s ♣Q and so avoid West trumping the third ♥.

ANDREW’S TIP: Lead from shortage when holding the ace of trumps.

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Andrew:

Have you got the Ace of Trumps?