ACBL07A – Defense: Opening Leads Acronyms Ward Trumbull
Apr 15, 2012
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Acronyms are used to help people remember things. A typical acronym in bridge is ARCH, which is a declarer checklist that is used before playing to the first trick (see ACBL16). Often we can recall the acronym that is appropriate in a given situation, but for the life of us, we can’t remember what the letters stand for. With that in mind, let’s learn some words and phrases that can be used to help recall the rules of opening leads. They are:
The Words
Notrump Leads Suit Leads
----------------------- ----------------------------------
FIST TOTS STAMPS T
Phrases
Notrump Leads: “Never shake your FIST at your TOTS.”
Suit Leads: “Collecting STAMPS fits you to a T.”
Leads Against Notrump Contracts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Notrump Contracts – FIST |------ Priority
|
Rule v Result
------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------
F - Fourth longest and strongest 3 Must have an ace and/or face
card(s) at the top.
Partner must use the Rule of 11.
I - Internal sequence 2 Suit with 3 honors but 2nd
missing. Lead your 2nd honor.
S - Sequence, top of a 1 3 in sequence or compliment 3
of 4+ card suit
2 OK with 6+ cards in the suit.
T - Top of nothing 3 Hoping to hit partner’s suit.
ACBL07A – Defense: Opening Leads Acronyms Apr 15, 2012
Page 2 of 3
Notrump Contracts When Leading Partner’s Bid Suit - TOTS
Rule Result
------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------
T - Top of nothing (no honors) from Partner will then know where
3+ cards in partner’s suit all the missing honors are.
O - Only card in partner’s suit Partner must figure it’s ‘only’.
T - Top of ANY 2 cards partner’s suit Could be ace or face card.
S - Small from an honor (A,K,Q,J) Partner should take the trick
from 3+ cards in partner’s suit with highest card and lead the
suit right back.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leads Against Suit Contracts
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Suit Contracts - STAMPS |----- Priority
Rule v Comment
-------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------
S - Small from ONE face card 2 For God’s sakes learn this
(K,Q,J) of a 3+ card suit lead. (BosTon)
T - Top of a sequence of a 3+ card 1 2+ honors in that sequence
suit
A - Ace from A x 1 If partner has the king, you
will get a ruff.
But not from Kx, Qx or Jx.
M - MUD, middle-up-down 3 With 3+ spot cards in
partner’s suit
P - Push trump with 2+ cards in trump 1 OK from A x x but not from
a king or queen
But never a singleton trump
S - A singleton 1 From an ace is OK but not
from K, Q or J.
ACBL07A – Defense: Opening Leads Acronyms Apr 15, 2012
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Suit Contracts When Leading Partner’s Bid Suit – T
Rule Comment
--------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------
T - Top card in partner’s suit Keep it simple. You’re telling
partner “This is the
highest card I’ve got.”.
NOTE: This a nice over simplification for a lead rule that actually gets
very complicated. Start with this and then refine it with your
partner.