1. LEADS AGAINST NOTRUMP

1. Which Suit

1. Top choice is 3 or 4 card perfect or near perfect honor sequence

2. Partner’s suit especially after overcall or lead-directing double

3. If bidding suggest opponents have long running suit (6 or 7) lead shorter, stronger suit over longer, weaker suit (don’t have time to establish your suit).

4. Negative inferences to pick suit to lead: if partner could have but didn’t overcall at 1-level; X artificial bid; support your suit. If opponents in NT then generally don’t have 8 card major.

5. If partner marked for opening or close to opening hand use bidding and negative inference to find his suit. If opponents stayman and end up in NT based on your holding can determine which major partner has.

6. If not sure tend to lead unbid major vs. unbid minor. If 2 suits of equal length (4 plus card length) tend to lead one not headed by A to ensure entry to set up other suit.

2. Which Card in Suit

1. Coded 10’s and 9’s. J denies higher and is from sequence or Jx

2. Lead of low card promises at least one honor and suggests can stand return of suit. If want something else returned lead a higher spot card.

3. Leading low form AQxxx is good; from AQxx or AQJX generally avoid to prevent making K good. Lead something discouraging in another suit and let partner figure out to lead your suit.

4. Against 6NT only need 2 tricks. Never underlead a K even from long suit.

5. Lead 4th best from 4 or more card suit with 2 adjacent honors. 3 cards headed by 2 adjacent honors lead higher honor (hoping to catch partners long suit and beginning unblock).

1. Exception: AKx lead K (lead of A promises 4 honor cards and demands partner unblock missing honor).

6. 3 to honor lead low.

7. 3 non-adjacent honors: A10x, K10x, Q10x lead low; AJx, KJx, AQx lead 2nd highest in hopes of unblocking if catch partner’s long suit (if AQx partner will unblock J (next bullet) so a high-risk reward lead unless bidding tells you partner has long suit – otherwise save for IMPs?).

8. From KQ109 lead Q and partner must unblock J if has it.

9. From AK109 or AQ109 lead 9 instead of 10 (despite having 3 higher) cuz if dummy or partner has J will play you for top of sequence.

10. From AK109x(x) if have outside entry lead A hoping to catch singleton or doubleton honor. From AQ109x(x) lead Q if think K in dummy, otherwise lead 9.

11. From 3 small lead top of nothing, from 4 small lead top unless 10 or 9 then lead 2nd highest. 5 or 6 small lead 4th best if have outside entry(ies) \[NTD cuz exception to lead low from 3 small but useful to prevent thinking want return of suit).

12. Leading suit partner has bid:

1. you have not supported - doubleton lead high, tripleton lead low even from 3 small (this is our system)

2. you have supported: 3 or 4 small lead high, 3 or 4 to honor lead low.

13. Suit which you have 5 or more cards headed by 3 honors which opponent has bid lead low. Unlikely develop more than 2 tricks (assuming u don’t have a couple of outside entries) unless partner has an honor. Lead low (assuming IMPs?) to avoid crashing partner’s assumed honor or blocking suit. Leading low in their bid suit generally means you have the goods in that suit.

2. Leads Against Suit Contracts

1. Picking the Right Suit to Lead

1. Inferences:

1. Do they have a fit? Did they stagger into game? Did they avoid NT cuz weak in one suit?

2. Did partner bid? Did partner have a chance to overcall or X artificial bid?

3. Do you have a short suit? Does partner? Do you have trump control (Ax, Axx, Kxx) to make leading short suit more worthwhile?

2. When to lead trump

1. When dummy prefers declarer’s 2nd suit and you have winners in declarer’s first bid suit, lead trump to protect those winners

2. Partner passes your 1 level takeout X

3. Dummy makes a single raise and you have a flat hand with dispersed honors in every other suit. Lead trump to eliminate dummy’s ruffing power.

3. Don’t lead a trump when

1. Opponent’s playing in obvious misfit

2. Dummy known to have long strong side suit that will result in discards plus trump support. Make an attacking lead in side suit.

3. You (or partner expected to have) 4 trump and you or partner has a long side suit. Lead side suit to shorten declarer’s trump.

4. Short Suit leads

1. Ideal if have a trump entry: Ax, Axx, Axxx, Kxx, Kxxx

2. Don’t lead short suit if have natural trump trick(s) – KQ10, QJX, J10XX

5. If opponents playing in 4 or 5 of a minor and skipped NT, then lead suit they don’t have stopper from any holding even Axxx.

6. Lead partner’s bid suit unless you have a top honor sequence KQJx or better

7. Listen to bidding. (1S) (3S) (4H) (4S) screams diamond lead (partner didn’t double 4H, N skipped 4D cue bid, S settled in 4S tending to deny D stopper).

2. Picking the Right Card on Opening Lead

1. Lead low from 3 except if Axx usually lead the A

2. If have 3 or 4 small in suit you have supported partner lead high to tell partner you have no strength in the suit \[NTD\]

3. Lead K from AK to avoid confusion that you have Axx(x) since A is the usual lead in the below scenarios (Always lead K from AK if doubleton or after opening lead).

1. Leading a suit partner has bid (whether or not you supported)

2. Leading a suit you have bid and partner has supported

3. Opponents playing contract at 5 level or higher

4. Lead Q from AKQ. If partner can recognize it is not top of sequence or Qx, then partner should give count to tell partner how many tricks can cash before a ruff.

3. Third Hand

1. Partner Leads Low

1. Third hand generally plays high but lower or lowest of equal cards (including 9 from J9 if 10 on the board). 3rd hand can never have card directly beneath the one played. Look at spots and declarer play may allow you to deduce remaining cards in the suit.

1. Exception: If have HH doubleton (AK, KQ) and 3rd hand likely to take the trick, play high low to indicate to partner you have a doubleton (p. 55).

2. If dummy has an Honor and plays low and 3rd hand has higher Honor than dummy, 3rd hand inserts 9 or higher if possible, otherwise play higher H.

1. Exception: At suit contract partner leads low, u have A9x(x), Honor in dummy and dummy plays low, Play the A (in case declarer has singleton).

3. If dummy has Honor higher than 3rd hand but plays low, 3rd hand plays as if no Honor in dummy (i.e. plays high or lowest of equals)

4. If dummy takes trick and you have equals, play your highest.(Dummy wins A and 3rd hand plays Q from QJ10x)

5. 4 assumptions when partner leads low against a suit contract:

1. Partner not underleading A or KQ

2. High spot much more likely shortness than 3 or 4 small

3. Good players underlead K more often than J

4. Partner raises your suit and leads another suit, partner is a) leading strong sequence, b) leading shortness, c) has A of your suit and afraid of potentially establishing K w/ declarer.

2. Unblocking and Overtaking

1. When partner leads Honor against NT and u have Hx, unblock your H.

2. If partner leads K against NT or suit K, overtake with Ax.

3. Exception: do not overtake if clear overtaking will cost a trick. (P leads Q, 10xx in dummy and you have Kx or partner leads J and u have KQ1075) overtaking sets up 9 if J is singleton)

3. 9 situations not to play 3rd High

1. Declarer known to have all missing H’s

2. When neither you nor partner has any honor strength play low to discourage if partner gets back in.

3. Partner leads low & u have 3 worthless cards, play low and give count.

4. P leads trump and u have an Honor that might be used to overtrump dummy later in hand, save your H.

5. When partners leads high from a known doubleton against a suit contract and u have A but no outside entry, signal encouragement – don’t play the A.

6. When u have a high H to prevent declarer getting to dummy and running a long side suit.

7. Against NT partner leads your suit likely holding a doubleton and you know Declarer likely has a stopper of two. Duck to allow partner to continue to have communication.

8. When holding AQx(x)(x) of suit that partner leads at NT, usually best to play Q rather than the A.

4. Returning Partner’s Suit – after partner has led it.

1. With 2 cards remaining, return higher;

2. With 3 cards remaining, return lowest;

3. With more than 3 remaining, return original 4th highest

4. With H sequence remaining, return higher(est) card in sequence

1. Based on your return Partner will be able to determine number of cards held by D in that suit and likely spots.

5. If partner leads low against NT and you know P started with exactly 4 cards and you hold AKxx win the A (false card) and play low in case D has Qxx and must guess who has K (p. 80). If can’t tell whether partner began with 4 or 5, WIN the K and play the A!!! (p. 81).

6. If start with AKQ and partner supports your suit such that you know D is short, false card play of spades to make more difficult for D to figure out lay of cards. (p. 81).

5. When You Are Third Hand Playing Before Dummy

1. Play low from equals when forcing higher card from dummy

2. If have honor or honor equivalent sequence and Declarer wins the trick, play highest card confirming lower equals

4. SIGNALING AGAINST SUITS

1. Attitude Signals

1. Almost always when Partner leads an Honor give attitude.

1. High low echo promises an equal or effective equal honor (K or 10 if partner leads Q or A if K is in Dummy) or a doubleton

2. Even if have equal honor play low if you want P to switch suits

3. False echo encouragement if switch may allow D to make contract (p. 105)

4. Playing Q under the A or K lead by Partner promises the J to allow Partner the discretion to underlead to get to your hand (p. 107).

1. Third hand cannot play Q from Qx if ambiguous who has the J (i.e. J is not in dummy) (p. 108)

5. Do not signal encouragement if it Dummy’s spots are better than 3rd Hand’s and it could establish winners in Dummy (p. 109)

6. After lead of K:

1. 3rd hand always signals encouragement with A or J and only signals encouragement with a doubleton if obvious doesn’t have A or J. (p. 110-112)

2. With Jx and dummy has A109 play low to prevent setting up the 10

3. With J10x play the J to show have the 10 and ok for Partner to lead low.

4. With Ax overtake to unblock suit except in a suit contract when overtaking and ruffing will cost a natural trump trick (QJx)

7. After lead of Q:

1. Show encouragement with equal honors (K or 10) and discourage with doubleton if not obvious you don’t have K or 10 (i.e., A, K, 10 are in dummy or if A, 10 in dummy and Dummy plays low Declarer must win with the K).

1. EXCEPTION: If have reason to believe Partner leading from AKQ then show count

2. When have choice of Spot Cards - play your HIGHER or HIGHEST equal. Playing the 9 denies the 10.

3. When 3rd Hand has an Honor

1. If bidding indicates declarer has stiff K take A

2. If 3rd Hand has A and bidding indicates Partner has doubleton (or both Partner & Declarer have doubletons and may be able to promote Partner’s trump) and likely you or Partner have early entry then duck A

3. With Ax or Kx overtake to unblock unless Dummy indicates will cost a trick (Dummy has 10xx)

8. After lead of J (always denies):

1. Always encourage with an Honor and only encourage with doubleton if absolutely certain 3rd doesn’t have an Honor

2. If Dummy has Qxx and plays low echo with A or K and deny with xx. If Dummy plays Q then echo with xx

2. Standard Count Signals

1. Mainly given a) either Declarer or Dummy initiate a new suit or 2) Partner leads a suit and it is obvious from Dummy and Declarer’s play that 3rd Hand doesn’t have an Honor in that suit.

1. With xxxx play highest you can afford without giving up a card that may later score a trick

2. Do not give count in suit bidding makes clear Declarer’s holding (giving Declarer information how to play hand).

3. Imperative to give count when Dummy has strong suit missing A, K or AK

2. Giving Count in a Supported Suit

1. If obvious 3rd Hand doesn’t’ have equal Honor (cuz it’s in Dummy) give count

3. Giving Count at 5 or 6 Level

1. Lead K from AKx(x). If Dummy has Q 3rd Hand always gives count to tell if A cashes

4. When Partner leads A of his bid but unsupported suit and Dummy has KQ, 3rd Hand gives count

5. TRUMP ECHO

1. High Low in trump suit shows at least one more trump. Mainly used when ruffing Declarer’s tricks (p. 125)

2. When leading trump lead High Low to show odd number if Declarer’s trump holding is uncertain

3. When Declarer draws trumps High Low shows odd. Use if Declarer knows trump situation but your partner doesn’t.

3. Suit Preference Signals

1. Attitude is given the majority of time when Partner leads an Honor.

2. Give Suit Preference When:

1. Giving Partner a Ruff (if have no real preference play a middle card telling partner to return what he thinks is best based on his hand)

2. When Partner Lead an Obvious Singleton

3. When Partner leads an honor in a supported suit that sets up winners in dummy. If unsupported too risky Partner mistakes it for shortness.

4. When you have promised 6 or more cards in a suit and partner leads an Honor in that suit

1. K – solidity and asks for continuation

2. 9 – Q asks for switch to higher ranking side suit

3. 5 – 8 asks for continuation cuz couldn’t afford playing the K

4. 2 – 4 asks for switch to lower ranking suit

5. Partner leads a high Honor and Dummy Has a Singleton - High spot asks for a continuation, low spot asks for switch to weaker of Dummy’s side suits – “the Obvious Shift”, an Honor screams for the “Non-Obvious Shift” – Dummy’s stronger side suit.

6. When the Trump Count is Known – high low in trump suit interest in higher ranking side suit, low – high for low ranking (p. 134 side-note) –\[NTD THIS VS SPINS\]

5. SIGNALING AGAINST NOTRUMP

1. Attitude

1. King is Led

1. Encourage with J or better else play low. If Hx overtake or unblock unless Qx. No Honor play lowest card

2. Bath Coup Defense – If hold KQJ9(x) and K holds play the J asking Partner to discard 10 if he has it. Leader must have the 9 to execute this defense.

2. Q is Led

1. Overtake with Ax or Kx, unblock with 10x and signal encouragement with Axx(x), Kxx(x), or 10xx(x). Lacking an Honor play lowest card

2. Second Round Bath Coup Defense – If hold QJ108 lead Q and if get in again lead of 10 asks Partner to discard 9 if has it.

3. If you hold J unblock it (Partner has KQ109) else play as usual (encourage with Axx, unblock with Ax or discourage)

3. J is Led (J denies)

1. Overtake with Ax, Kx, Qx

2. Kxx or Qxx encourage. With Axx need to judge based on bidding, Dummy and your hand whether to overtake or duck.

4. 10 is Led (coded 10)

1. If can’t see J or 9 assume partner has 2 higher. Overtake with A, K or Qx. Encourage w/ Qxx(x) else play lowest card to deny an Honor

5. 9 is Led (coded 9) – if can’t see the 10 assume partner has 2 higher and play 3rd hand high.

6. Spot is Led – assume 4th best – if can win the trick play high (lowest of equals), if Dummy wins the trick with A or K signal attitude. If Rule of 11 indicates can’t be 4th best assume partner leading from weakness or Hxx.

2. Count Situations

1. Spot is Led and Dummy wins the trick with Q or lower – signal count.

1. EXCEPTION – if bidding reveals Declarer’s count in the suit, then 3rd Hand gives encouragement if holds J (if Q wins trick in dummy) or 10 if (J wins trick in dummy).

2. Partner Leads an Ace

1. Unless bidding suggests otherwise, Partner has strong Honor sequence (AKQ10, AKJ10, AKJxxx). If 3rd hand has missing honor compelled to play it else give count.

3. When Opponents Lead a Suit – especially when long suit in Dummy

3. Suit Preference – rarely comes up in Notrump

1. When Declarer has held up and driving out Declarer’s last known stopper show suit preference (p. 163).

6. 2nd Hand Play

1. When to Cover Honor w/ Honor

1. Cover Honor w/ Honor to promote lower cards (usually 9’s & 10’s) for you or Partner

2. If you have nothing to promote and you know from bidding Partner has insufficient length to affect a promotion, DON’T COVER

3. If Dummy has a number of equal Honors, cover the last equal.

1. EXCEPTION: If Dummy has HH doubleton and Declarer has no outside entries, cover 1st Honor to block the suit.

4. If Declarer has 4+ length, Dummy a doubleton and you have 4+ length headed by K don’t cover to ensure K scores. (p. 181)

5. When J led from Dummy and:

1. 2nd seat has AQx(x), usually right to play A to force Declarer to get back to Dummy (if he has an entry) to finesse your Q.

2. 2nd seat has Axx, play A at notrump and low against a suit contract. In NT cover in hopes you can promote Partner’s spot card unless sure Declarer has no further entries to his hand. In suit contract duck in hopes Declarer guesses wrong (pp. 182-183).

6. When Dummy Leads a Low Card Side Suit in a Suit Contract , 2nd Hand generally plays low and gives count if able to (w/ Kx can’t do both) Except:

1. Axxx(x) and A is setting trick and might lose it.

2. AKxx play K unless know Declarer has at least 3 cards and Partner has the Q

3. KQxx, split Honors if need 1 trick, play low if need 2 tricks to set contract (AT IMPS)

1. Play the Q to prevent confusion that you have AK and hope partner can see the J or 10 to avoid thinking you have QJ10(x)

4. QJx(x) or J10x(x) play low and give count – do not split honors

5. QJ10(x), J109(x), 1098(x) play the HIGHEST HONOR you would have led – tells partner he can unblock with Kx, not hold-up with Ax or lead suit later with xxx.

1. EXCEPTION: If QJ10x (as opposed to QJ108) and Declarer known to have 4+ cards in the suit and there are return entries in Dummy, play LOW to avoid setting up long winner for Declarer. Declarer unlikely to take a deep finesse.

6. KQJ(x) PLAY THE J. If play the K, Partner will think you have AK. Declarer unlikely to attack side suit missing KQJ and bidding and Partner’s and dummy’s holding will tell Partner whether you have J109(x) or KQJ(x).

7. DON’T GIVE COUNT (to provide less info to Declarer) IF:

1. Declarer’s count in suit already known

2. If one Defender has all the outside strength, then only Weaker defender gives count (what Weaker defender keeps is irrelevant because even if saves right suit can’t take a trick).

7. When Dummy leads Low from Axx

1. Kxxx – If think Declarer has Q10x(x) play low, if think Qx or losers can be thrown on Dummy’s winning tricks take the K!

2. KQ4 play the Q – lowest of equals

3. J109 play the J – the card you would have led

4. QJ9x – play the Q showing either the K or J.

8. Rule of TOUCHING HONORS

1. If know you will win the trick, play lowest of equals

2. If unsure will win the trick play the Highest honor unless KQJ or KQ play lowest.

2. When Declarer Leads an Honor

1. Declarer Leads Q, 2nd Hand has K and Dummy has Axx

1. Kx – If think Declarer has QJ98 or worse duck hoping Declarer continues with J, if QJx(x) cover promoting Partner’s 10

2. Kxx play low

3. K10x(x) cover is optional, with K10 tight cover mandatory

4. Kxxx keep playing low

2. Declarer leads J, 2nd Hand has Qx(x)(x)(x) and dummy has Axx – NEVER COVER unless have Q9 (in case Declarer has J108(x). If Declarer has J108 must duck J and cover 10. (p.189)

3. Declarer leads an Honor, 2nd Hand has Higher Honor and Dummy has 2 or more Honors.

1. When promoting Partner not a possibility, Duck else Cover

2. With Qxx and Declarer leads the J, if Declarer figures to be short Cover unless know Declarer can’t get back to his hand to repeat finesse then always Duck. If Declarer figures to have length Duck.

3. Declarer Leads Low

1. Generally, give count

2. Do not force Honor cards out of Dummy

3. 2nd Hand has QJxx, Dummy has K105 depends:

1. If think Declarer has A and need 1 trick to set contract split Honors, if need 2 tricks play low, if think Partner has A and need 2 tricks split honors, if need 3 tricks play low. THIS APPLIES TO IMPS!!!!! In MPs generally split else more likely to get a bottom.

4. When to Duck When 2nd Hand Can Take the Trick – (Never Duck if Setting Trick!)

1. 2nd Hand has Axxx and Dummy KJ9 duck forcing Declarer to guess

2. 2nd Hand Axx(x) and Dummy KQx(x), usually right to duck first and take second even if Declarer has singleton

3. 2nd Hand Axxx and Dummy KQ10 – At imps if believe Declarer has xxx then duck twice.

4. 2nd Hand KQx(x), Dummy AJ9 – if need one trick to defeat contract split honors, if need two tricks (at IMPS!!!!) duck.

5. 2nd Hand Kxxx, Dummy QJ109 – duck (Partner has A else would have finessed K)

6. 2nd Hand Kxx(x), Dummy Q10xx – duck – Partner likely to have J

7. 2nd Hand AKxx, Dummy Q1094 at NOTRUMP – duck playing Partner for J

8. 2nd Hand AKx, Dummy QJ109X and one-side entry – duck to kill suit

5. Second Hand High When:

1. To Kill Long Suit in Dummy – generally when Dummy has no side entries

1. 2nd Hand Kxx, Dummy AJ1087 – rise with K to protect Qxx by Partner

2. Against NT, 2nd Hand plays high if can win trick, set up Partner’s long suit and preserve Partner’s potential entry (p. 200)

3. To Prevent Partner from Being Endplayed (p. 201 bottom)

4. When you and Partner have the setting tricks

5. When Dummy has J83, 2nd Hand has Q9 play Q to entice Declarer to finesse 8 later. Same if Dummy has 1083 and 2nd Hand has J9 or AJ9. (p. 203)

7. Making the Winning Discard

1. Generally, Discards are Attitude in the Suit Discarded

1. In NT if you want partner to switch from suit you initially led, then discard in that suit.

2. If signaling positive, discard Highest of Equals and Highest of Honor Sequence (the card you would have led)

3. When discarding in dummy’s strong suit and Dummy has no side entries GIVE COUNT to allow Partner to know when to take his A or K (p. 215)

4. When Declarer running a long suit (7 or 8 card suit), discard all cards in a worthless suit to give Partner count on Declarer’s hand (p. 216)

5. Discarding in a suit partner has led – discard the card you would have returned (high from 2, low from 3).

6. Use Rule of Eleven when discarding to tell partner if the remainder of his cards are winners or not (p. 218)

2. Throw Away Losers, Keep Winners – generally better to discard a low card in a suit you don’t want partner to lead than a high spot in a suit you do want partner to lead, especially against NT

3. At NT Don’t Discard Last Card in Partner’s Suit if Have Semblance of Outside Entry

4. When Desperately Trying to Create an Entry to Partner You May Have to Discard A or K (Generally AT IMPS!!!) (p. 221).

5. Don’t Tell Declarer More Than You Have To – When able avoid discarding from fresh suits. Try to discard from suits partner has shown out since Declarer already knows your count (if it won’t cost a trick).

6. Try to Avoid Discarding from 1, 2 or 3 small cards where the opponents are Known to Have Strength unless you can foresee getting a ruff. Try to discard from length rather than shortness to prevent Declarer from getting a read on Partner’s cards in that suit to take a finesse or play for a drop.

7. Generally Avoid Discarding an Honor to Show Strength When Dummy Has a Lower Honor Card (p. 222).

1. When you see a balanced dummy with broken Honors, usually preferable to defend passively and let hand come to you

2. Ok to discard lower Honor (the 10) to signal attitude when dummy has no Honors and potentially shortening yourself to get a ruff.

8. Keep Parity with Dummy and Declarer – NEVER discard if your HIGHEST card is HIGHER than Dummy’s LOWEST

9. If Declarer Draws All of Dummy’s Trumps Instead of Ruffing In a Short Suit, then that short suit is safe to discard (Otherwise Declarer would have ruffed losers in that suit).

10. When Make 2 Discards in the Same Suit, the 1st is Attitude, the 2nd is Present Count

11. After You Lead a Suit, your 1st discard in that suit is Present Count

12. After you play 3rd Hand to a trick (showing attitude), your first discard in that suit is Present Count.