[wvlaker]

If you are leading against 3NT with AKxxxx(x), how do you decide between leading the A or 4th best?

[Trumpace]

I guess it depends on the bidding and your holding in the other suits, the latter probably being the dominant factor.

For instance, if our hand has no valuable cards other than AKxxxx, we should lead 4th best in order to maintain communication with partner.

If we have a sure entry, we could try the A maintaining chances of running the whole suit (for instance Qx with declarer etc).

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

4th best.

in case you have a 7 carder, you wil have mentioned the suit,
else I would abstain, and holding AKxxxxx in green,
... well there is nothing which prevents me from bidding 4H at
my first turn , so the only excuse is, that you are red versus
green.
4th best, because they will have a stopper, and the only real chance
to beat the contract is, that partner has an entry and 2 cards.

The same reasoning is still valid, if you hold only a 6 carder,
there maybe sequences making it impossible to mention the suit,
but not many.
The nice thing, when holding only a 6 card suit, is,
that the chances, that partner holds 2 cards did increase.

With kind regards
Marlowe

PS: If you hold outside entries, you still need to develop tricks in
the suit, so 4the best is still best, and may it be only for the resson, that you can say: "My granny taught me that.".

[luke warm]

i agree with trumpace, i'd lead high if i have an entry else low hoping partner has one