In a team match, the contract was the same at both tables. South opened one spade, West doubled for takeout and East, with stout spades and 11 points in high cards, was happy to pass for penalty.

At one table, West led the queen of diamonds from his sequence. Declarer took the ace and led the ace and a low heart. West won with the queen and shifted to the queen of trumps. South took his ace, ruffed a heart in dummy, dropping West’s king, and ruffed a diamond. His jack of hearts cashed for his sixth trick, and he conceded the rest. Down one. Minus 200 was not too bad for North-South.

“At least we beat it,” East said sulkily to his partner. “Did a trump opening lead cross your mind?”

“I never know what to do when I hold the queen alone,” West shrugged.

“Maybe it depends on what time the king is expected home,” North ventured.

At the other table, West correctly led the queen of trumps against one spade doubled, and the lead made a difference of three tricks. South took the ace and led the ace and a low heart, but when West won, he shifted to the king of clubs. East won the next club with the ace, drew all the trumps and led the king of diamonds. South’s ace won his last trick. He was down four; East-West were plus 1100.

When your partner converts your takeout double to penalty at the one level, he will have solid trumps as well as a good hand. Your goal should be to prevent declarer from winning tricks with his low trumps. A trump opening lead is mandatory. If you don’t have a trump, borrow one from another deck.

South dealer

Both sides vulnerable

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