Take the West hand for Board 2 of the Opening Leads Lesson:
| Vul:N-S Dlr: South |
    |
|
| A2 Q764 K987 1095 |
|
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| |
We'll start you off with an easy one. South opens 1NT (15-17) and it is your call:
Pass.
2 (conventionally hearts and a minor)
2 (conventionally diamonds and a major)
Double
A2 Q764 K987 1095
| West | North | East | South |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1NT | |||
| Pass | 3NT | All Pass |
North raises to 3NT and everyone passes.
What is your opening lead?
A
4
7
9
10
This is the full deal. Since we as the teachers get to set it up, you can see that anything but a heart lead is no good.
With the heart lead, what do you think will happen?
Declarer will have only 1 heart stopper and after he takes the losing diamond finesse, he will be down 1.
Declarer will have 2 heart stoppers and make the contract easily, possibly with overtricks.
Declarer will have only 1 heart stopper but can make the contract anyway.
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