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THE GREAT UNDERLEADS OF 2015 by Richard Solomon
Lead low
and down they go.....
No! 
We’ve had a lot of reminiscing in the media about sporting and musical exploits in 2015. This is one category of “greats” which so far has not been seen. We tell less experienced defenders never to under-lead an ace against a suit contract. If you have ever wondered why, then read on.
1st Nomination
| North Deals Both Vul |
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| West | North | East | South |
| 1 NT | Pass | 3 ♣ | |
| Pass | 3 NT | Pass | 6 ♣ |
| All pass |
West “knew” where the 
K was from the strong no trump opening. Time therefore for a cunning under-lead of his ace to partner’s queen. South was not that impressed with the sight of dummy, that is until the K or Q or J held at trick one. 7 clubs, 4 hearts and a diamond trick well compensated for a tricky spade position. + 1370.
| North Deals None Vul |
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| West | North | East | South |
| 1 ♦ | Pass | 1 ♠ | |
| Pass | 2 NT | Pass | 3 ♠ |
| Pass | 4 NT | Pass | 5 ♥ |
| Pass | 6 ♠ | All pass |
For those of you who led the 
A, or any suit apart from hearts, your defensive duty is not yet over if you want to defeat the contract. South has only one line open to him, the phantom squeeze. That involves running all the trumps (losing to the A in the process if not led) and hoping one defender will throw a diamond from a three card suit. That should not happen but even the best defenders can err in such cases. Here on the run of the trumps, you, West, should throw both your diamonds making it absolutely clear to your partner that looking after that suit is their responsibility. That’s good sensible discarding.
However, our expert West relieved himself of that responsibility by leading a low heart, 7. South seized on his slim but realistic chance of making his slam. He needed trumps 2-2 in the defenders’ hands…and they were. After drawing them, he cashed the two top diamonds and played 
A,K and ruffed dummy’s other club in hand before exiting a heart. West did not have the top J and therefore the heart or club played would give South the ruff and discard needed to make his slam.
Are there any further nominations? If not, then…
(oh, both the above came from 10A or greater events last year.)
The award for the best under-lead goes to……..
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