EASY AUCTION BRIDGE

Greymouth Evening Star, 29 March 1930, Page 4

EASY AUCTION BRIDGE

LESSON No. 11. After the Auction is over, the player who first mentioned the winning call becomes the “Declarer,” his partner is the “Dummy,” and Declarer plays the two hands. Before Dummy’s hand is placed on the table, the player on the left of the Declarer has to lead a card called the “blind opening lead.” The opening lead may be the means of defeating the Contract or preventing game, and ma,ny players have said, “1 wish I knew what to lead.” The speaker states in plain language, “I am too lazy to learn the conventional leads.” The experience of numerous teachers and Bridge experts all over the world has proved that a lot of information can, be given by leading certain cards, and every player should be acquainted with the conventional leads. Leads against a No Trump bid differ greatly from those used against a suit bid, and this lesson will deal with leads against No Trump bids. When partner has called a suit, the best lead for the average player is the highest card of the suit bid by partner, unless you hold a strong suit. , When partner has not bid, the lead should be from, the longest suit, which, of course, must have four or more cards, and if three or more cards in sequence are held, lead the highest. The top card would be led from the following:—A.K.Q.x, K.Q.J.x, Q.J.10.x, J.10.9.X. .

In practically all other cases, lead the fourth highest—the fourth from tho top of your longest and strongest suit. When two suits are of equal length, lead from the strongest. The lead of the fourth highest is called the rule of eleven. By subtracting the number of spots on the card led from 11, the difference is the number of cards higher than the one led that are not in the hand of the leader. Assume the card led to be the 7; 7 from .11 leaves 4, so that only 4 cards above the 7 of that suit are not in the hands of the leader. By counting the number above the 7 in Dummy and your own hand, you can tell how many cards above the 7 are in the Declarer’s hand. In the same way, the Declarer can tell how many cards above the 7 are in your hand; but the information is of greater value to you than to him. When the card led is a 5 or lower, the rule of 11 is not of much practical value; but when it is a 6 or higher, examine your own and Dummy’s hand carefully. Assume a 7 is led and Dummy holds Q. 8.2, and you A. 10.3. Seven from 11 leaves 4, and as Dummy holds 2 cards above the 7 and you the other 2, the 7 will take the trick if Dummy plays the 2. To thoroughly understand the> rule of 11, deal the cards of one suit into four hands, putting 4 and more cards in one hand, and lead the fourth highest. Who is the Declarer? Who makes the first lead? When is the Dummy hand placed on the table? What is the rule of 11? (Copyright by S. N. Lythgo, Box 401, G.P.0., Melbourne)'.