[mike777]

Email quiz sent to me, any suggestions?

"Need your help on this one. My partner and I are of different opinions...But I acknowledge I can learn a lot from this one, since it seemed clear to me...

From a BBO speedgall game.

Matchpoints, neither vul

873 652 KJ86 QT7

1d p 2nt p <--- 2nt is invitational
3nt p p p

What's your opening lead at MP?

Would your lead change if IMPS?"

[hanp]

I'd suggest reading the bridgebase forums.

[dburn]

Would not consider a minor at either form of scoring. Would prefer a spade to a heart simply because the spade spot I will lead (the eight playing top of nothing, the seven playing second highest from bad suits) is less likely to be misread by partner than the six or the five of hearts.

Mind you, I don't consider our chances of beating the contract to be very good. But here, unlike a similar problem elsewhere in these forums, the opponents are marked with not only length but strength in the minors. Moreover, my spot cards in the minors may prove awkward for declarer unless I break the suits first.

Still, as with all opening leads, anything could work on a given day (for example, if dummy produces 4=4=3=2 shape, I may regret not leading a diamond). If the situation is "clear" to the original poster's correspondent, I conjecture that he will not remain a beginner or even an intermediate player for long - it is far from clear to me.

[mike777]

dburn, on Mar 16 2009, 08:21 PM, said:

Would not consider a minor at either form of scoring. Would prefer a spade to a heart simply because the spade spot I will lead (the eight playing top of nothing, the seven playing second highest from bad suits) is less likely to be misread by partner than the six or the five of hearts.

Mind you, I don't consider our chances of beating the contract to be very good. But here, unlike a similar problem elsewhere in these forums, the opponents are marked with not only length but strength in the minors. Moreover, my spot cards in the minors may prove awkward for declarer unless I break the suits first.

Still, as with all opening leads, anything could work on a given day (for example, if dummy produces 4=4=3=2 shape, I may regret not leading a diamond). If the situation is "clear" to the original poster's correspondent, I conjecture that he will not remain a beginner or even an intermediate player for long - it is far from clear to me.

Thank you David...for your comments...very helpful.

[P_Marlowe]

A major.

Throw a dice to decide between hearts and spades,
it wont make a big difference, I voted spades.
The spades are a bit stronger, and maybe partner
has it easier to read the lead, but the latter may be
day dreaming.

With kind regards
Marlowe