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Do you usually lead the A or J from AJTx vs suit contracts?
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AJTx vs suit
#1
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Posted 2026-August-29, 02:10
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#2
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Posted 2026-August-29, 02:14
My systemic lead is the jack, if you're committed to leading this suit.
#3
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Posted 2026-August-29, 07:34
I have never led the jack on opening lead from this holding and would be incredibly surprised to see anyone who did. In fact I’ve underled an ace on opening lead three times in 50 years…each time it was against a slam when I was sure that the king was in dummy. And it wouldn’t work if I had AJ10x since the lead is made in the hope that the King is in dummy, partner has the Queen and declarer or dummy has the Jack.
Underleading AJ10x on opening lead…I simply can’t construct a hand and an auction where that makes sense.
If we’re discussing later leads, then I still struggle with the concept…in what situation would we want to lead the Jack?
Underleading AJ10x on opening lead…I simply can’t construct a hand and an auction where that makes sense.
If we’re discussing later leads, then I still struggle with the concept…in what situation would we want to lead the Jack?
'one of the great markers of the advance of human kindness is the howls you will hear from the Men of God' Johann Hari
#4
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Posted 2026-August-29, 07:39
mikeh, on 2026-August-29, 07:34, said:
I have never led the jack on opening lead from this holding and would be incredibly surprised to see anyone who did. In fact I’ve underled an ace on opening lead three times in 50 years…each time it was against a slam when I was sure that the king was in dummy. And it wouldn’t work if I had AJ10x since the lead is made in the hope that the King is in dummy, partner has the Queen and declarer or dummy has the Jack.
Underleading AJ10x on opening lead…I simply can’t construct a hand and an auction where that makes sense.
If we’re discussing later leads, then I still struggle with the concept…in what situation would we want to lead the Jack?
Underleading AJ10x on opening lead…I simply can’t construct a hand and an auction where that makes sense.
If we’re discussing later leads, then I still struggle with the concept…in what situation would we want to lead the Jack?
Where declarer has KQx and the remainder are 3-3 and partner is getting in once, or partner has Kxx
#5
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Posted 2026-August-29, 08:16
Thank you for the responses. I agree it is an unusual lead, other opening leads are almost always more attractive. I was coming at it more from the angle of what is the standard lead in theory from this holding vs a suit contract.
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#6
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Posted 2026-August-29, 16:49
Cyberyeti, on 2026-August-29, 07:39, said:
Where declarer has KQx and the remainder are 3-3 and partner is getting in once, or partner has Kxx
If you made the lead of the Jack on opening lead and found that layout, I’m pretty sure most opps would conclude that you were cheating. Not for a moment am I suggesting that you’d ever cheat, but that’s because I can’t imagine you’d actually make that lead. As for the OP, I can tell you that I’ve read a number of books on opening lead, read literally hundreds of lead problems from publications such as The Bridge World and do not believe I’ve seen this holding even discussed. Imo, that’s for the simple reason that I can’t conceive of a hand and auction where the underlead of the Ace makes even the remotest sense. Cyber is just being contrarian, as is his wont. Literally nobody beyond the novice level would even think of leading the Jack.
I stand to be corrected but I suspect David didn’t realize that you were discussing the opening lead…of course maybe you weren’t, lol. I can construct hands in which the Jack would be the normal lead partway through the hand. It’s not easy but neither is it impossible.
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#7
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Posted 2026-August-30, 01:07
Sorry, I don't share your strong aversion. I have led the jack on opening lead from this holding before. It's very unpleasant, and I would lead a different suit maybe 99 times out of 100. But if I do lead this suit anyway, it's the jack.
I believe leading the jack is best from this holding if we believe that dummy is likely not holding any of the missing honours. This keeps the most flexibility regardless of whether partner or declarer has the missing values.
I believe leading the jack is best from this holding if we believe that dummy is likely not holding any of the missing honours. This keeps the most flexibility regardless of whether partner or declarer has the missing values.
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Posted 2026-August-30, 01:46
mikeh, on 2026-August-29, 16:49, said:
If you made the lead of the Jack on opening lead and found that layout, I’m pretty sure most opps would conclude that you were cheating. Not for a moment am I suggesting that you’d ever cheat, but that’s because I can’t imagine you’d actually make that lead. As for the OP, I can tell you that I’ve read a number of books on opening lead, read literally hundreds of lead problems from publications such as The Bridge World and do not believe I’ve seen this holding even discussed. Imo, that’s for the simple reason that I can’t conceive of a hand and auction where the underlead of the Ace makes even the remotest sense. Cyber is just being contrarian, as is his wont. Literally nobody beyond the novice level would even think of leading the Jack.
I stand to be corrected but I suspect David didn’t realize that you were discussing the opening lead…of course maybe you weren’t, lol. I can construct hands in which the Jack would be the normal lead partway through the hand. It’s not easy but neither is it impossible.
I stand to be corrected but I suspect David didn’t realize that you were discussing the opening lead…of course maybe you weren’t, lol. I can construct hands in which the Jack would be the normal lead partway through the hand. It’s not easy but neither is it impossible.
I can believe some strong club auctions where it appears opener has 20+ balanced and responder has nothing that I might find this lead.
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