Double-edged doubletons

A doubleton is a common opening lead in club bridge but is widely criticised in expert circles; some of which is deserved, some less so. Club bridge is predominantly matchpoint pairs and passive defence is often appropriate. The low-doubleton lead – unlike leading low from honours – is safer (though not as safe as from three or four low cards, which is rarer in the club game)

Doubleton leads are committal, especially the lead of dummy's main suit, which attracts the heaviest opprobrium. In that situation there is considerable risk of ruining partner's honour holding without compensation. These two examples of reasonable leads from recent matchpoint events give a flavour of the dangers.

Both Vul.
Dealer West
  • Q973
  • K
  • J86
  • KJ832
  • J852
  • 753
  • Q542
  • A4
N
W
E
S
  • A64
  • J84
  • AK73
  • 1095
  • K10
  • AQ10962
  • 109
  • Q76
West
North
East
South
Pass
Pass
11
1
X2
Pass
1
2
All Pass

1. Clubs, length or 2+ balanced 11-13/17-19
2. Exactly four spades

West led the club ace and continued the suit despite East's discouragement. The second club was won in North, the heart king unblocked and a spade led. Where East was awake, he took the ace and gave West a club ruff. That led to five tricks and a fair score. At another table East was dozing and allowed declarer to gain entry with the spade king to draw trumps. That meant one spade, four clubs and six hearts for South, a difference of three tricks and a very poor score for East-West.

None Vul.
Dealer East
  • Q975
  • K
  • Q872
  • K954
  • J10862
  • 53
  • A
  • A10762
N
W
E
S
  • A3
  • A10964
  • KJ94
  • J3
  • K4
  • QJ872
  • 10653
  • Q8
West
North
East
South
—
—
1
Pass
1
Pass
2
Pass
2
All Pass

With no attractive lead, South began with the club queen. Declarer played naturally; club ace, diamond ace, club… North, unwilling to set up the club ten, either later or, perish the thought, immediately if South held queen-knave doubleton, ducked. West won, took two ruffs, the diamond king and spade ace. That was seven and she couldn't be prevented from two more from her ace-ten-nine high trumps for a fine score.

When the doubleton has done damage to the lead-suit the defence is committed and must not be caught napping.

Coda

When I put these deals together, the first from a club evening (bd. 4), second from Ipswich & Kesgrave's Swiss Pairs (bd. 14) I couldn't help be struck by the similarity between North's major holdings on both deals. Spooky, eh?

Published Saturday 20.Sep.2014