Counting Points on Opening Lead

Source: Bridge Bum

Here’s a simple example why it’s important to count HCP before making your lead.

Your hand:

K1098  10983  AQ4  AJ

The opponents have shown about 25-27 points here. You are looking at 14, so what does that leave partner? 1 HCP at most. Therefore it is futile to lead a spade, even though it’s your best suit, because partner cannot have the ace or queen, and he probably doesn’t have the jack either. It is dollars to doughnuts that the lead of the spade 10 will blow a trick; think of all the possible spade holdings declarer and dummy can have: [ilink url=»http://www.bridgebum.com/counting_points_on_opening_lead.php»]Click here to continue reading[/ilink]