Evil 22-02

This deal actually came up online and not from X-Clubs, nor does it have anything to do with my “Evil” bidding methods. But we Evil players also put a huge emphasis on defence, which is why I bring this deal to your notice.

Let me tell you what happened when I logged in for a casual online game and ended up playing just this one hand before giving up in disgust. Firstly, I will set this as an opening lead problem for SOUTH.

Dealer W Nil Vul
This is your hand as SOUTH

8642

T98652

J9

A

West opens 1S and East bids 2NT, which you decide, without asking, to be a normal bid, 11-12 HCP and most likely no more than a doubleton spade. But, whatever the case, West now bids 6NT. You have to make the opening lead when everyone now passes. You take a quick look at your opponents’ profiles and they say that East is ‘advanced’ and West ‘expert’.

What would YOU lead, and WHY?

I would be very interested in receiving answers from readers, email me at villy@xtra.co.nz