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Bidding Defence Declarer

Leading through strength and up to weakness

If you are on lead with the dummy shown above playing second, then a heart lead would be termed as 'through strength' and would be an attacking lead as partner might take a trick with H K or H J. A spade lead would be passive as it simply gives declarer a trick she is going to take anyway. This might be best if eg partner has few points. A club or a diamond lead would in general be stupid as any honours that partner might contribute would be liable to be beaten by declarer or if not, would capture nothing.

If, with the same hand as dummy, you are on lead with dummy playing fourth, then you aim to 'lead up to weakness', ie a club or a diamond lead here would be fine, while a heart lead would be stupid.

Note that this particular dictum could well be overridden by other considerations eg the need to persist with your own or partner's suit in no-trumps, or the need to give your partner a ruff.

Quiz on leading through strength and up to weakness.