Jimmy Sez # 19

With both sides vulnerable, your right hand opponent opens 2-diamonds.  What should  you do?  If you double and partner leaves the contract in for penalties; then  what do you lead?  Remember if the contract is made you are -180.  If your partner bids and goes down  two or is doubled down one you stand to lose 200.  Here is the hand my partner held and chose to double.

                                                            S- A 7 5 2

                                                            H- A 9 5 3

                                                            D- 5 3

                                                            C- A 4 2

I chose to pass with the following holding believing that any bid I made would result in a disaster and that if partner had a very good double we would collect a nice profit.  What would you do with the following?

                                                            S- J 6 4

                                                            H- Q 8 2

                                                            D- A 10 6 2

                                                            C- J 9 3

We ended with a –180 because partner decided to lead a trump.  I believe that a major ace must be the most promising defensive lead.  If I have 5 trumps and any king we will probably defeat this contract with 2 trump tricks and four outside tricks.  However, if tricks need to be developed we must have the tempo and hold the lead.  A trump lead only helps declarer.  It is important to see dummy so that a proper defense can be established.  Most players I asked about this hand said they would lead a trump.  They were split on whether the double was the correct action.  Here is the whole hand.  What would you do holding either hand.  My e-mail is Jklein1930@verizon.net.

                                                            S- A 7 5 2

                                                            H- A 9 5 3

                        S- Q                            D- 5 3                         S- K 10 9 8 3

                        H- J 6 4                      C- A 4 2                      H- K 10 7

                        D- K Q J 9 8 4                                               D- 7

                        C- Q 8 7                     S- J 6 4                      C- K 10 6 5

                                                            H- Q 8 2

                                                            D- A 10 6 2

                                                            C- J 9 3

Rule:  Count the number of defensive tricks needed.  This will dictate whether an active or passive defense is to be used.