[olegeorge]

Assume: Matchpoints - common 2/1 - opponents only bid - to a final contract of 2♠ , 3♠ , or 4♠ with a direct bidding sequence that gives you little information about others suits (only other suit bid might be a minor suit opener + 1♠ + further spade bids if opener didn't open 1♠. (This question does not relate to non-standard lead practices, fluke situations, weird exceptions or the like - e.g. "normal")

Assume that your hand has: about 5-8 points including: QJx of one minor suit, ♠ = xx, and 4/4 in hearts and the other minor suit.

What factors would make you make an opening lead of:

1.) the Queen of the QJ sequence in the minor suit?
2.) a trump?
3.) one of the other 2 suits - and if so how to choose which one?

Please assume that the opponents are reasonably normal, experienced players and your own partnership is similar.

Thanks!

[wyman]

Would never lead QJx of opener's suit. I try not to lead from QJ anyway without the 10; it seems that I always end up hitting K10x(x) in dummy and Axx(x) in declarer's hand.

If trumps appear 4-4, I probably lead a trump. If the auction was 1S-2S; 4S or something, I'd probably make a more attacking lead, from say Hxxx of a side suit.