AI A 0 I It A
BRIDGE
Suit yourself
Andrew Robson
WHETHER to lead partner's bid suit against 3NT or to prefer your own is a recurring question. Sadly there is no clear cut answer. Apart from your respective holdings in the two suits, which defender is likely to have more entry cards and which suit the opponents appear to have better held are two of the more important criteria.
I have never seen as spectacular a differ- ence between the selfish approach (leading your own suit) and the unselfish as on the following deal: Dealer North Both Vulnerable The Bidding South West North East 14 14 1NT 24 pass 3NT pass pass pass
The late Hugh Kelsey, Scottish International and prolific bridge writer, once commented 'When you have shown a stopper in the bidding, you do not need one in the play.' By freely bidding No Trumps twice over East's overcall, South deterred West from leading his partner's suit. Instead West chose to lead his own suit, $'s. His opening lead of •10 against 3NT was welcomed by South. He won ♦K and cashed four • winners and seven 4 winners ---- a total of 12 tricks.
Just imagine the carnage that would have ensued if West had led his partner's suit. East would be able to take the first five tricks in 4s, but that would just be the beginning! By switching to ♦J through declarer's •K, West would be in a position to win all seven of his 4s. This time it would be the defence that would take 12 tricks! Instead of making three overtricks declarer would be eight down!
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