[blml] An opening lead problem

[Steve Willner]

> From: "Wayne Burrows" <wjburrows at gmail.com>
> 1NT 2C - five card Stayman
> 2H  4C - five hearts; splinter
> 4D 4H - cue; sign-off
> 4S 4NT - cue; waiting
> 5D 6H - cue; sign-off
> 
> 10xxx
> A10
> Jx
> KQxxx
> 
> What would you lead?

A club is last on my list: too likely to be into AJT with the known 
stiff on board.  There's a case for ace and another trump, hoping to cut 
down on club ruffs, but I'm afraid partner might have Qx.  I'd lead a 
diamond, hoping this might take out a reentry prematurely.  The x might 
work, but I'd lead a pedestrian J.  Second choice is a spade, which is 
safe but unproductive.

> Would you make a different lead on the identical auction but with the
> explanation that 4NT was RKCB?

Trump (ace and another) is now much more attractive; opponents are much 
less likely to be missing the Q.  I think I'd probably still lead the 
diamond but the x this time; we aren't going to find declarer 
misguessing trumps.  Spade drops to distant third; club is still last.