[Antrax]

I know this is a very broad question, but I hope it can be answered without my having to invent specifics.
How high would you rate leading from QJxx(x)? More concretely, would you lead it to not blow a trick, to try and develop a slow trick, or because other leads are worse? Does having the T improve it considerably?

(The context is a discussion with partner about whether we should encourage on the Q lead vs. suit when holding the 9, but it got me thinking)

[the hog]

Depends on the auction and on the rest of my hand. This is a question that cannot be answered without knowing the auction as a whole.

[P_Marlowe]

Having the ten makes the lead more attractive, but even without,
if the holding is in an unbid suit, the suit is attractive.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Codo]

One of the best rules for leading was:
Do not look at your hand and listen to the bidding- which suit should you lead.

If QJxx(x) is among the suits which I have to lead according to that rule, I am pleased.

But of course there is much more to it:
Versus suit contracts, the holding does not promise too much- you will not develop many tricks, against a NT contract QJxxx is great. Of course we would like to have the ten, but...

It is defensive enough to be lead. It will just blow a trick if the opps have all other missing honours and AK are in dummy, or the honour in dummy is long enough to finesse my second honour.

And of course you know that you will lead a small card against NT but usually an honour against a suit contract.

[Vampyr]

P_Marlowe, on 2012-December-31, 03:57, said:

Having the ten makes the lead more attractive, but even without,
if the holding is in an unbid suit, the suit is attractive.

Against NT, best not to lead high unless your third card is at least the eight.