This is a story I got from a friend of mine, Alon Amsel.
You hold the following hand:
♠ AQ9
♥ 98532
♦ Q6
♣ K85
LHO starts the auction:
1♦ - pass - 1♥ - pass
1NT* - pass - 2♥ - pass
pass - pass
(1NT shows exactly 4♣s)
What's your lead?
Alon thought as follows:
Declarer and I have 11♥s combined, which suggests dummy is short and probably has 3♠s. Also declarer's HCPs are all in ♥ which doesn't leave much room for HCPs in other suits. Moreover partner passed throughout, so he won't have lots of ♠s, which means declarer doesn't have singleton ♠. I expect to see the ♠K in dummy (which will make it difficult for declarer to make the right decision) or with partner (take 3 quick tricks).
As a result of this reasoning, he lead the ♠Q. This is the full hand:
As expected, the ♠K was in dummy. Declarer played small (asuming South lead from QJ9 or something similar), and Alon continued with ♠9. Again declarer played small (still asuming South had QJ9) so North took the trick with ♠J. This was followed by a high ♠ asking for a ♦ return. After taking his Ace, South continued with ♦Q as requested. This made 3♠ + 1♥ + 1♦ + 1♣ = 6 tricks for 1 down.
You hold the following hand:
♠ AQ9
♥ 98532
♦ Q6
♣ K85
LHO starts the auction:
1♦ - pass - 1♥ - pass
1NT* - pass - 2♥ - pass
pass - pass
(1NT shows exactly 4♣s)
What's your lead?
Alon thought as follows:
Declarer and I have 11♥s combined, which suggests dummy is short and probably has 3♠s. Also declarer's HCPs are all in ♥ which doesn't leave much room for HCPs in other suits. Moreover partner passed throughout, so he won't have lots of ♠s, which means declarer doesn't have singleton ♠. I expect to see the ♠K in dummy (which will make it difficult for declarer to make the right decision) or with partner (take 3 quick tricks).
As a result of this reasoning, he lead the ♠Q. This is the full hand:
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As expected, the ♠K was in dummy. Declarer played small (asuming South lead from QJ9 or something similar), and Alon continued with ♠9. Again declarer played small (still asuming South had QJ9) so North took the trick with ♠J. This was followed by a high ♠ asking for a ♦ return. After taking his Ace, South continued with ♦Q as requested. This made 3♠ + 1♥ + 1♦ + 1♣ = 6 tricks for 1 down.