What to lead — again

Finally — the last in this series of opening leads has to do with what you heard in the course of the auction and takes into account partner’s and opponent’s bids.

You can discern approximately how many points each person holds and the shape of their hands. If your side didn’t bid and your opponents did, you know they out “point” you and partner could be totally bankrupt. Therefore you need to use your own hand as guide and use sequences, perfect and broken and the other guidelines previously mentioned. If partner has bid, lead the top card you have in his suit. But be cautious if opponents bid NT after partner they are indicating they have a stopper in partner’s suit and you may want to reconsider the lead in partner’s suit.

Other choices include 1.The unbid suit, 2. A singleton if you have potential ruffing power, 3. A doubleton may be especially advantageous if partner bid that suit, or it is the only unbid suit, or you have a high card in the trump suit and there is no other alternative. Just be aware that there may not be a “killer” lead and you must make the best choice available with guidelines given.

The Friday, June 2 Evergreen game was large and lively. Our winners were: N/S 1st Carol Bachl and Judy Gealy; 2nd Andra Cozart and Jan Glover; 3rd Ruth Bowles and Marie Pugh; 4th Georgia Sorensen and Fern Albracht;

E/W 1st Pat Featherston and Dick Brisbin; 2nd Becky Creekmore and Pat Macon; 3rd Wade Lowder and Fred Bachl; 4th Margaret and Chuck Rimer.

Featured is board # 9 from that game: E/W vulnerable North dealing

NORTH:

S 9 3

H A T 7 6 4 2

D Q J T 4

C J

WEST:                   EAST:

S A T                       S J 8 2

H Q                        H K J 9

D K 9 8 6 3            D 7 5

C T 8 7 6 5              C A K Q 3 2

SOUTH:

S K Q 7 6 5 4

H 8 5 3

D A 2

C 9 4

Carol Bachl and Judy Gealy bid and made 3HN for best N/S score while the Rimers bid and made 3NT for best E/W score.

Our Tuesday, June 6  Women’s Club winners were: 1st Shirley and Ron Jeffers; 2nd Marie Pugh and Loyd Hill; tied for 3rd/4th Judy Hurder and Jean Hill with Jayne Shive and Betsy Bare.