Another Lead Problem

Here is your hand:
♠3
♥J8632
♦KJ3
♣9753

The contract is 3♠. Partner opened the bidding 1♦ so you decide to lead a ♦. What card do you lead?

Show Answer

You SHOULD play low from an honour. The 3♦.

Is it really that big a deal if you don't?

If you lead the K♦ (which most players did) this sets up Declarer's Q♦.

The ♦ holding was this:

	Dummy ♦762
You! ♦KJ3		Partner ♦AT54
	Declarer ♦Q98

If you started with the K♦ and then lead a low ♦ to Partner's A♦ then Declarer's Q♦ will be a winner.

If you started with the 3♦ Partner will win their A♦ and then your KJ♦ is sitting over Declarer's Q9♦.