There can be quite a difference between theory and real life, especially in bridge. Now that we have discussed a few theoretic deals based on my own past experience, we will take a look at deals that have occurred recently, which is always a good basis to learn from. Quite amazingly, the discussion in the next chapter (16) will centre on an almost identical situation to that which I presented the attendees in a session I ran last year. There really is nothing new under the sun, which is why we are constantly learning in this game. But you will have to wait for that fascinating deal until Chapter 16, for now I have a more mundane deal which still has some points of real interest. This one comes from Friday X-Clubs, as will the one reviewed in chapter 16.

Board 15 from Friday 14/06/24
Dealer South NS Vul

	JT A8 AQT8652 AK
A32 T4 9743 Q943		K98 J752 KJ J862
	Q7654 KQ963 T75

South	West	North	East
Pass	Pass	1	Pass
1	Pass	3	Pass
3	Pass	3NT	Pass
4	Pass	4	Pass
Pass	Pass

The next two opening lead problems have come from recent play, both from X-Clubs on Tuesday 11-June. I will reproduce the full deals, not because I am what sceptics call a ‘results merchant’ but because they do illustrate some important considerations when making what you consider the best opening lead. It may not necessarily lead to the best outcome, but in the long term if you have ‘perfected’ your opening leads, you’ll be able to add considerably to your average session score.

Board 5 Tuesday 11/06/24
Dealer North NS Vul

	Q984 T3 QJ9 AT92
A65 KJ64 7654 K6		JT732 5 T32 QJ43
	K AQ9872 AK8 875

Two more opening lead problems, ones that I thought were easier this time, yet there were still different answers from the group. There is also a good bidding problem in the first problem, one that is worth addressing in some detail. I’m glad that I asked my panel to comment on the bidding as well!

1.The bidding has been:
Dealer South, All Vul

South	West	North	East
2	Pass	Pass	X
Pass	Pass	Pass

K7

Q873

A54

AJ43

Here is my take on the opening lead problems from Chapter 8, supported by a number of answers from a group of improvers as well as some views from the more experienced. I stress that there is never a perfect opening lead, but some have a better chance of success, and it is these that, if you can arrive at them with some good and logical thinking, will get you the better outcomes. All the opening lead problems come from actual play. In all cases, there is an opening lead that a) would have obtained the best result and b) could have been arrived at through a process of logical thinking and attention to the bidding. That is what we should all be trying to cultivate and which is the purpose of this exercise.

a) Dealer South, EW Vul
The bidding has been:

South	West	North	East
Pass	Pass	1	Pass
1	Pass	2	Pass
Pass	Pass

32

QJ3

AK8

97643

There are two very important things you need to consider when you are making your opening lead. First, you must take note of the bidding and try and work out from that just who might have what; second, you should try and work out how declarer is going to play the hand. Not all bidding by opponents is going to be accurate, in fact it will probably be anything but, but you have to believe as much as you need to. As for how declarer will play the contract, we all know how inept most declarers are, but if you can work out how declarer should play the contract, and then, if declarer might succeed by a likely line of play, you can try and do your best to persuade declarer to go wrong. Those are the two themes I want to examine in this chapter.