[pigpenz]

what to lead??? nv vs vul matchpoints
1NT p 3NT x
p p xx p
p p



♠98652
♥743
♦65
♣654


So do you just take it in the chin when you have a running minor off of this auction?

[pigpenz]

I always assumed this would be pretty standard? Curious to see what others think unless they play DR John doubles( one of Barrys old partners)

[the hog]

Normally I play that the X asks for the lead of a S, but my S length here seems to exclude that lead. I lead a D.

[awm]

The main question is, what lead does a double of 3NT on an auction where no suits have been bid call for? There are three reasonable interpretations (in any case partner has either a running suit, or a suit with one loser and side entries):

(1) Lead your shortest suit, hoping to hit partner.

(2) Lead your shortest major.

(3) Lead your shortest minor.

It seems like meaning (1) is somewhat dubious -- there will always be some chance of leading the wrong suit. Still, without discussion it may be the "standard."

The reasoning behind meaning (2) is, since the opponents would've presumably looked for a major fit, your side is more likely to have a long major.

The reasoning behind meaning (3) is, since partner evidently has a good hand, opening leader has junk. Normally the best guess would be to lead a major (try to hit partner when you have nothing in hand), so the double which indicates an "unusual lead" should ask for a minor.

My preference is meaning (3), but it's something to discuss with partner.

On this hand, without the double, I'd have automatically lead a heart. Of course, I know most people don't lead like I do....

With the double, I lead diamond.

[luke warm]

i'd lead a diamond also, subscribing to awm's #1 above

[Free]

depends on the agreement. Some ask ♠ specificly, other ask to lead your shortest Major (which comes up more often). I lead a ♥.

[Walddk]

Heart, shorter major.

Roland