BRIDGE

THE #1 MIND
SPORT
Leads and Plays

Lesson 4
1-3-5 Leads

From a sequence
the highest card

From a four-card suit

the 3rd card from the top

Against notrump, we play the

longest suit, hearts, the ♥K From a five-card suit
the 5th card from the top

Lesson 4:2 THE #1 MIND SPORT

Leads against Trumps
Hearts are trumps
Lead: ♠2
1-3-5 Leads
 Top of sequence
or a singleton
 3rd from the top with 4 cards
 5th from the top with 5 cards

Against trumps, you can also lead a

short suit (singleton) in order to ruff
before declarer can draw trumps.

Lesson 4:3 THE #1 MIND SPORT

Strategy in Notrump
Task: to win seven tricks
Count the certain tricks
 Zero in spades
 Zero in hearts
 Two in diamonds
 Two in clubs
Total four certain tricks
Lead: ♣Q
You can establish four tricks in
hearts by forcing out the ♥A.

Establish new tricks before

you cash your certain tricks.
Vin the first trick with ♣K and
play hearts!

Lesson 4:4 THE #1 MIND SPORT

Strategy in Trumps
Task: to win seven tricks with
spades as trumps

In trumps it is often good to

play trumps (spades) until the
opponents are out of their
trumps.
You must simply count to 13!
Lead: ♣Q

In this case you play spades

- twice if it is 2-2 and
- three times if it is 3-1

Lesson 4:5 THE #1 MIND SPORT