June Hand

Lead Your Fourth Best

One of the first things we learn as beginning players is to lead our fourth from our longest and strongest. We do this automatically and really never know why we do it. The deuce is the lowest card in the deck and has a “numerical” value of two; therefore the ace, being the highest card, has a “numerical” value of fourteen. When partner leads their fourth highest, he has three cards higher then the spot card led. Those “three” cards subtracted from fourteen (the value of the ace) gives us, eleven. Hence the derivation of the rule of eleven. Therefore, when that spot card hits the table and Dummy is exposed, both the other defender and the declarer will know how many cards higher then the spot card led each other has. The “spot” card subtracted from eleven will reveal how many cards higher then that “spot” will be in the Dummy, the other defender’s hand and the Declarer’s hand. For example, if the six is led and dummy shows J84 and you as the other defender have K93, you will know that declarer has only one card higher then that six.

The contract is Three No Trump, and West leads his fourth highest. Six , and dummy is tabled and the J84 appears. East now knows that Declarer has only one card higher then the six. When the four is called is called from the Dummy, East should follow with nine, forcing the Ace. Declarer has only five top tricks and must start the Diamonds to fulfill his Game contract. East will take the Ace , and next play the King and continue the suit, setting the contract. Observe that if East, automatically plays third hand high, the King, Dummies Jack will provide an additional stopper in Spades, giving Declarer enough tricks to fulfill his Contract.