Over the years, I’ve spent a lot of time thinking, and canvassing opinion, about what to lead from AKxxx (or AK10xx) against no trump contracts. Yes, I know, I should be spending my time pondering weightier issues, but it’s surprising how often that particular dilemma crops up. Holding AKxx, you would clearly kick off with an honour, but with five in the suit, the question of whether to lead high or low is as hotly contested among bridge players as Brexit is among Tory cabinet ministers. In fact, most experts would agree there’s no clear right or wrong; but whichever card you plump for … it’s usually the very one that either beats or lets through the contract.
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David Butterfield
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In the semi-final of the recent European Winter Games in Monaco, the brilliant Phil King, playing on ‘Bertie’ Black’s team, had to choose what to lead on this deal against Team Lavazza:
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