Opening leads
The opening lead is the very first card of the play, made by the defender to declarer’s left before dummy appears.
When it is used
Choosing it well is the single most important defensive decision, made on the bidding alone. Against no‑trumps, you want to set up long suits, your own or partner’s: lead your longest suit (with two the same length, the stronger) and, from it, your fourth-best card. With three touching honours, such as K Q J, lead the top one.
Against a suit contract declarer can ruff, so long suits aren’t automatic winners. A sequence lead is still safe; a singleton can set up a ruff; and never lead a low card from a suit headed by an ace.
An example
You’re on lead against 3NT. You hold this hand.
- ♠ K J 7 4 2
- ♥ 9 6
- ♦ Q 10 5
- ♣ 8 4 2
Lead the 4 of spades. Spades are your longest suit, headed by the king and jack, with no three-card sequence, so lead fourth-best: count down K, J, 7, 4.
Where we teach it
Taught in the Beginner course, in the Defence topic, in both systems, ACOL and 5‑card majors: one lesson for no‑trumps and one for suit contracts. Improver goes further in The Opening Lead.
Learn it properly
Bridge Unlocked teaches the game step by step, with real hands to play. Bridge Basics is free.