[pescetom]

MP.

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How do you read this situation, what lead do you choose and why?
Please answer the poll as well as commenting here.

[FelicityR]

Leading a small ♥ might seem clever, putting declarer to an immediate guess possibly: it certainly is aggressive, and aggressive leads do occasionally beat slams, but I am going for the completely mundane here ♠10. Everything looks right for declarer but I'm not going to help them on their way by possibly giving away a ♥ trick at trick 1. Let declarer find the 12 tricks here.

[pilowsky]

I like trying to be clever so I chose a small ♥. I picked the ♥6 to try and disguise its origin. I have one lousy honour, South doesn't like North's Hearts. If he thinks I have three he might put up the Ace from ATxxx.
Leaving one more trick for my partner to find. If we don't get squeezed by the ♣'s.

[nige1]

Pescetom "MP. How do you read this situation, what lead do you choose and why?"
++++++++++++++++++++
LHO has shown: 5+ ♥ (2♦); 4/5+ ♣ (3/4♣); Outside values and a strong hand (6NT).
RHO has shown: BAL 15-17 HCP (1NT); 2 ♥ or good pointy suits (3NT); 2 ♥, 3+ ♣ but no enthusiasm (5♣).
I rank ...
1. ♠T = Agree with FelicityR. Seems safest.
2. ♥4 = Might put declarer to an immediate guess.
3. ♣9.
4. ♦9.

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This post has been edited by nige1: 2020-September-20, 07:25

[pescetom]

Thanks for the comments so far. I hope to see a few more before revealing the layout and actual lead. I am a bit surprised there was no discussion yet about the bidding and its implications, which would certainly have me wondering if I was West.

[nige1]

pescetom, on 2020-September-20, 06:33, said:

Thanks for the comments so far. I hope to see a few more before revealing the layout and actual lead. I am a bit surprised there was no discussion yet about the bidding and its implications, which would certainly have me wondering if I was West.

Previous post edited to comment on auction

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

I would guess, I go with a club, trying to go passive.
Dummy, should be 55 or 65, NT opener will have diamonds and spades well guarded.

Lets see, if there 12 tricks ready for tacking, hears is not breaking.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[P_Marlowe]

<snip>

[pescetom]

Here is the full layout.

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W led the 9♥, dummy 2♥ and A♥ of E.
E continued J♥ and W played K♥.

N had less than nige1 (or I) would have imagined and might have done well to pass 3NT.
He in turn was aggrieved by the unusual lead of W.
My gut feeling is that it is all just poor bridge, but it is always interesting to know how others see things.