COMBINING THE HANDS OF DEALER AND DUMMY

The following table gives the different combinations of cards and shows how they should be played to get the best results when the dealer holds one combination and the dummy holds the other. An "x" means one or more small cards.

The following combinations may be led from either hand:

In One Hand.In the Other.
A K x Q x x
A Q x K x x
K Q x J x x
K J x Q x x
K x x Q J x
Q J x 10 x x
Q 10 x J x x
Q x x J 10 x

If forced to lead from any of the following combinations, lead from the weaker of the two hands. In these, lead the highest card of the three in the weak hand:

In One
Hand.		In the
Other.
x x xK Q xFirst trick, play queen.
x x xK J xFirst trick, play jack.
x x xK x xFirst trick, play king.
J x xK x xFirst trick, play low.

In the following, lead from the weaker hand, but begin by playing the lowest card:

In One
Hand.		In the
Other.
Q x xA x xFirst trick, play ace.
J x xA x xFirst trick, play ace.
Q x xK x xFirst trick, play king.
J x xQ x xFirst trick, play queen.

These rules are based on the supposition that the second hand has not played a higher card than any in the hand to which you lead.

There is a difference of one or two tricks in all these combinations, depending on whether you or your adversaries open the suit. Try to get the adversaries to open such suits for you, as you do so yourself to a disadvantage. Throw the lead into their hands and make them lead to you.