Friday, November 18, 2005 6:12 PM

Opening Leads - Visualization

PITBULLS:

What is visualization as it pertains to Bridge ? In Golf , all pro players visualize their shots or putts before they make them. They “go to the movies” in their minds eye to paraphrase Jack Nicklaus. They visualize the putt or shot before they make it and the human brain tries to replicate the visualization. If all goes well , the shot will go how the pro golfer “pictured it” . This has been quite a bit of study on the beneficial effects of visualization in sports.

In the game of Bridge the same type of “visualization” is necessary on bidding , opening leads , defense and play of the hand. This visualization is done via patterns. These patterns are built from the bidding or other clues. I have heard tormentees lament that they are not very good on opening leads. Sorry to say but this is caused by the usual reason – not applying patterns. An expert uses patterns to “visualize” the dummy before she leads. The bidding fills in the blanks and quite often the picture is complete before the opening lead. This is why experts say opening leads are a bidding skill rather than just following rote rules with regard to sequences and honours in your own hand.

I was playing against a tormentee who was on lead against this auction in matchpoints. My partner opened 1♥ and I responded 1♠. My partner bid 2♦ and I bid 2♠ and the auction made an exciting turn when my partner leaped to 3NT. I corrected the auction to 4♠ so what do you lead ? The opener has mapped out a stiff spade. She has 1-5-4-3 or 1-5-5-2 and a 17 HCP hand. What is the last lead you make on this auction ?. A trump can be the only lead to assist their side. The board has no ruffing power so all you are doing is finding cards for them or finessing partner out of rightful trump tricks. My hand was KJ1098xx x xx Jxx and the board hit with x AKQxx AJxxx Kx . LHO tormentee led a trump on this auction which meant she did not apply patterns from the bidding before she chose her opening lead. In fact she led a small spade from Qx !! . RHO went up with the spade Ace and as I had no more trump I had to drop the queen for a top board. What if RHO had Jxx of spades ? You just blew a natural spade trick by leading a trump.

It is very important that you apply patterns and “visualize” the dummy before you make an opening lead. Otherwise you will always make “bad leads”. You can not play any aspect of the game of Bridge at an advanced level without the application of patterns. Patterns are your friend.