Opening Leads and Signals 06
EUREKA II
Let’s take another look at the “Eureka” moment and see where it has led to my somewhat left field thinking about defence and opening leads.
Dealer S All Vul
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K943
7654
AKJ
97South opens 1NT. North makes a Stayman inquiry, South denies a major, North bids 2NT and let’s say South, being an eternal optimist, bids 3NT. Following the ‘book on opening leads’, West leads ‘fourth highest of longest and strongest’, the four of clubs. Dummy’s seven holds and declarer proceeds to take nine more tricks: five diamonds and, when the spades break, four spades. 3NT with an overtrick! Now let’s take a look at when West, having thought about the bidding carefully, decides to lead the unthinkable ace of hearts. Dummy reveals a four card heart suit as well as four spades, but the hearts have no substance and East signals strongly. West continues with the queen and another and after East takes the fourth heart, he switches to the six of clubs, having noted West’s strong club signal on the fourth heart. Down two when everyone else is making an overtrick!
But wait! There’s more. If EW have a really sophisticated opening lead AND signalling system, this is what can happen: East KNOWS that West has led from EXACTLY AQx. EW are also playing REVERSE ATTITUDE signals on opening leads against No Trumps. East signals with the TWO of hearts and West continues with the queen. East knows that declarer started with J8 of hearts, and overtakes West’s queen! East can also see the need for a club switch sooner or later, so makes that switch at trick three! West wins the club, beating whatever club declarer plays (declarer should rise with the king if in 3NT), and now leads the third heart to East, who takes the fourth heart before switching to a second club. The defence end up with nine tricks, making 3NT on defence!
What this scenario has now convinced me is that AGAINST NO TRUMPS, the specific opening lead of the ace from AKx or AQx should be part of the agreed system of opening leads, AND that ‘reverse attitude’ should be the signalling system against NO TRUMPS, but standard signalling of attitude (high encourage low discourage) should remain the favoured system against a SUIT contract.
Try it! But make sure you and your partner both know what you’re doing.
