[ahydra]

Matchpoints, both vul. Opps bid 2NT-3H*-3S-3NT, you have ♠98xx ♥AQx ♦8xx ♣9xx.

Opener was dealer, and thought a long time / fiddled in the bidding box before opening 2NT, which (knowing this player) you suspect might mean she has an offshape 2NT, possibly based on a 6+ minor suit. 2NT is 19-20. Opps aren't playing any superaccepts of the transfer.

What do you lead?

ahydra

[broze]

I'll just lead my better minor

[rmnka447]

The hesitation/fumbling could be any number of things -- on the edge between 2 NT and 1m/2NT, long minor, etc.

Neither major looks right at MPs. ♠ look to be at least 5+-2 and a ♠ lead could give away the whole suit. Too much danger of a ♥ lead giving away a trick.

If they have 26, partner should an 8 count.

So it looks like a minor lead to me. I think I'll lead 8 ♦ to avoid having partner think ♣ 9 is positive from an inner sequence.

[Jinksy]

I agree with rmnka, that I'd just make the minor suit lead which most clearly expresses my holding. With most of my partners I play MUD, so it would depend on the second pip (the higher it is, the better).

[ahydra]

Thanks all. I did lead a middle club (I think it was the 5), partner won his Ace and with dummy holding something like ♠AQJxx ♥xxx ♦xxx ♣xx had to decide whether to switch to his J10xxx of hearts or continue clubs. Unfortunately he guessed wrong and declarer happily cashed 12 tricks (she had ♠Kx ♥Kx ♦AKJx ♣KQJ10x), 0% for us.

As such we're now seriously discussing attitude leads vs NT...

ahydra