Examples
Example 1 | ♠ | A K Q J | |||
♥ | x | ||||
♦ | x x x x | ||||
♣ | x x x x | ||||
♠ | x x x x |
N |
♠ | x x x x | |
♥ | x x x x | ♥ | x x x x | ||
♦ | A K Q J | ♦ | x | ||
♣ | x | ♣ | A K Q J | ||
♠ | x | ||||
♥ | A K Q J | ||||
♦ | x x x x | ||||
♣ | x x x x |
In this extreme example, whoever leads first will take the first 8 tricks, regardless of the denomination. That means that neither side can make any contract, and every contract will fail by at least two tricks—the advantage of having on opening lead makes a three-trick difference.
Example 2 South in 4♠ |
♠ | J 10 7 5 4 2 | |||
♥ | J | ||||
♦ | A Q 3 | ||||
♣ | J 7 6 | ||||
♠ | K 6 |
N |
♠ | 9 | |
♥ | A K 8 4 | ♥ | 7 6 5 3 | ||
♦ | 8 5 2 | ♦ | K J 10 4 | ||
♣ | K 7 5 4 | ♣ | 10 8 3 2 | ||
Lead: ♥A | ♠ | A Q 8 3 | |||
♥ | Q 10 9 2 | ||||
♦ | 9 7 6 | ||||
♣ | A Q |
Keeping initiative—gaining tempo—by not taking a finesse can be decisive to prevent the opponents from developing defensive tricks.
Against South's 4♠ west leads the ♥A (indicating the king) and continues with the ♦8. The opening lead, although natural, was unfortunate, as it gave the declarer a tempo to develop heart tricks for himself. However, it is now essential not to take the diamond finesse so as not to lose tempo. South must take the ♦A and play to the ♠A, again refraining from finessing. Now, the declarer can lead hearts for ruffing finesse and discard diamonds until West covers with the ♥K, then ruff and cross over to ♣A, again refusing to finesse. On the remaining hearts, all diamonds including the queen are discarded. In total, the declarer loses one trick in trumps, hearts and clubs each.
Note that a diamond opening lead sets the contract, as it doesn't give the tempo in hearts to the declarer: the declarer must lose a heart and two diamonds before he sets up the hearts for diamond discards; the trump king is the fourth trick for the defense.
Read more about this topic: Tempo (bridge)
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