Improve Your Opening Leads
AI-assisted editorial content · Not independently verified expert advice
The opening lead is the only card defenders play without seeing dummy. A few simple principles will make it far less of a guess.
Listen to the auction
The bidding is your best clue. If the opponents bid 1NT – 3NT with no major-suit enquiry, a major is often a good start. If partner overcalled, leading their suit is usually right.
Against notrump: length and strength
Lead your longest suit, fourth-best from an honour: from ♠ K J 7 5 3 lead the ♠5. Holding a sequence such as ♥ Q J 10 8, lead the top card, the ♥Q.
Against suit contracts: safety and ruffs
Sequences are safe and attractive: from ♣ K Q J 4 lead the ♣K. A singleton can win a ruff if partner has an entry. Avoid leading away from an unsupported ace — underleading A x x x often gives declarer a cheap king.
When to lead trumps
If the auction suggests declarer will ruff in dummy (for example, dummy gave preference to a second suit), a trump lead cuts down those ruffs.
Key advice
- Decide on a strategy (active or passive) before choosing the card.
- Top of a sequence is rarely wrong.
- Lead partner's suit unless you have a strong reason not to.
- Agree leading conventions (fourth-best, top of a sequence) with your partner.