In my previous blog we analyzed how effective trump leads are against auction that promise a two suited hand where the hand that is short in trump is poised to ruff losers and has reluctantly agreed to the trump suit. Ex 1S 1N, 2C 2S.
There are some other situations where a trump lead is either automatic or highly likely.
- Opponents have landed into an artificial suit due to bidding misunderstanding.
- The auction has been passed for penalty after a TOX. Partner of the TOXer has strong trump, he/she expects to pull trump as defender.
- Against a grand slam. This is considered a safe lead.
- When opponents have bid two suits and landed in a third.
Aside from these basic occasions to effectively lead trump, trump leads are very common against part scores when opponents have overcalled. The defense should have lots of opportunities to get in with side suits and breaking your own suits often reveals lots and gives declarer significant timing to set up ruffs in dummy. If the advancer has given a four-card raise, you may not have enough trumps to do any damage to the offense. You may want to think of something else.
When a part score has been X'd for penalty either outright or converted to penalty by a TO action, trumps are usually led at the first convenient opportunity. Failing to do so by opening leader usually means one of two things.
- Opening leader risks losing a trump position from his/her holding, or
- The opening leader prefers a tapping defense.
Figure it out and go for the huge set. Leading trumps will get you lots of mp and imps if it's done after carefully assessing the bidding, and analyzing the source of tricks for the defense.
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