The Name of the Game Is.... Spades!

If I had to identify a single, sharp play that most often leads to an 11-bid set, it would be the spade lead. Actually, what we see so often in practice is that a side that is ripe for the plucking manages to escape by a whisker because the other side failed to lead a spade at the right time.

The spade lead is a vastly underused strategy. There are many reasons and many situations that make a spade lead a winner, while a plain suit lead hands over an undeserved trick to the opponents. In Example A, below, we have a finessing situation.

A. South is on lead; N-S need to win 2. North K 8 7 West A 9 East -- South 3

In this 3-card ending (only the spade suit is shown), a plain-suit lead from South forces his partner to ruff. North is then endplayed, giving up the last two tricks to West. Only a spade lead wins the two tricks needed for the set.

B. South to lead. North-South need all. North K Q 9 7 -- -- -- West 10 10 3 2 -- East J 8 -- -- 7 South 2 J J J

In Example B, North-South want all of the tricks and South has the boss cards in all three side suits. Each one (those pesky jacks again!) will cost the set if led. A red-suit jack promotes a spade winner for East, while the J allows West to uppercut with the 10. The set is gained only by leading the 2, the card that ranks fourth on South's list of choices.

Incidentally, should South be expected to find the right lead? Yes, absolutely! All the count cards in the plain suits have been played. The bidding, however it has gone, must indicate that partner, who is still 2 or 3 tricks short of his bid, can only be left with a fistful of spades.

C. South to lead. North-South need 1. North --- -- -- Q 6 5 West A K -- -- J East Q 7 5 -- South 2 J J --

It is not necessary that North and South have the advantage in the spade suit, either by number or by high cards. In Example C, North and South are clearly outgunned in spades. Still, the only way to win a trick in this position is with the spade lead.

Now let's look at a full-deal example that will illustrate some of these points.

Run 'Em Down

North A K J 10 2 8 7 4 J 7 5 Q 3 West 7 3 J 9 3 2 A K 6 J 9 5 4 East 9 8 6 5 A K Q 10 Q 8 2 6 2 South Q 4 6 5 10 9 4 3 A K 10 8 7 The bidding: West North East South 2 4 3 2 West led the A

The table total was 11 tricks. West took his top two diamonds, as advertised, and switched to a heart. East made two heart tricks and misguessed by leading a third round of hearts. South trumped with the 4.

South had seen four of the side-suit count cards go by and he was staring at the other two. What could Pard possibly have for his 4-bid?

The light bulb came on. "Spades!" realized South, as he led the Q. This card was indeed the only lead to set the hand. North overtook the queen and ran all five of his spades, while South discarded his trash. North next cashed his Q and South won the last two tricks with the A and K.

Notes to the play:

1. South made use of the Count Card Principle to determine North had strong spades, but North used the same concept to determine as early as Trick 5 that his partner had the AK.

2. Note North's fine technique of leading out the last spade before playing the Q. This play can squeeze the opponents in some positions when East has the K and South stretched out a 4th-position 2-bid with Qx and only AJxxx.

Thrust Home

Lead spades whenever the bidding or early play suggests your side has a majority of trump cards. There are also times when it is right to lead spades even if you do not have control of the suit, such as when you have to stop an opponent from ruffing. A spade lead at the right time is a sharp thrust at the enemy right in the gizzard!

Regards,
Popsicle