| In One Hand. | In the Other. |
| K J 10 | x x x |
| K J x | 10 x x |
| K x x | J 10 x |
In each of these cases the play is practically the same; lead the highest card from the weak hand and finesse. If by the finesse you succeed in forcing the ace, wait until the suit can be led through the queen.
If you hold this combination with nine or more cards of the suit, it is often difficult to determine whether a finesse should or should not be taken; if you play the king and it wins the first trick, you may drop both ace and queen on the next lead.
MISCELLANEOUS COMBINATIONS
If you hold a sequence of three high cards in the combined hands, while, of course, it is better form to lead from the weak hand, it makes but little difference from which hand the suit is led. Therefore, if you cannot conveniently place the lead, do not hesitate to lead from the strong hand. Should you, however, hold a sequence of two high cards in one hand with small cards in the other, for instance:
| In One Hand. | In the Other. |
| K Q x | x x x |
| Q J x | x x x |
it is always advisable to lead from the weak hand. Should the queen win in the first combination, wait until you can again lead the suit from the weak hand.
| In One Hand. | In the Other. |
| Q x x | A x x |
| J x x | A x x |
| Q x x | K x x |
| J x x | K x x |
| J x x | Q x x |
| K x x | x x x |
A suit containing a single honour or one with a single honour in each hand should be avoided. There is a difference of one or two tricks in each of these combinations dependent on whether you or the adversaries open the suit. When it is an advantage to have a suit led by the opponents, endeavour, by throwing the lead, to force your adversaries to lead the suit to you.