Leading Through Dummy's Broken Honours

The most effective defensive leads occur when you can "trap" the opponent's high cards. The cardinal rule of defense is: Lead through strength, up to weakness. This means if dummy is sitting on your left, you should lead a suit where dummy holds a "broken honour" sequence, such as K-J-x or A-Q-x.

Why leading through dummy works

If dummy holds K-J-3 and you (West) lead the suit, dummy is trapped. Declarer must play a card from dummy before your partner (East) plays.

If declarer plays the Jack, partner can win the Queen. If declarer plays the King, partner wins the Ace. Because you led through dummy's strength, declarer is forced into a guessing game, and your partner gets to capture dummy's honours.

A worked example: Trapping the King-Jack

You (West):

♠ 10 9 4

Dummy (North):

♠ K J 3

Partner (East):

♠ A Q 2

Caption: You are on lead. Dummy is on your left. You lead the ♠10. Declarer is trapped. If they play the ♠J from dummy, partner wins the ♠Q. Next time you gain the lead, you lead the ♠9. Dummy plays the ♠K, partner wins the ♠A. You have completely neutralized dummy's points.

Four common mistakes

• Partner leading the suit from East (leading up to dummy's K-J-x gives declarer a free trick).
• Leading a suit where dummy has a solid sequence (like K-Q-J), which achieves nothing.
• Playing the Ace from East on West's lead when dummy plays low, freeing dummy's King.
• Ignoring partner's signals when choosing which broken suit to target.

When the rule does not apply

If dummy holds a strong, unbroken sequence (Q-J-10) or is completely void in a suit, leading through it provides no tactical advantage. Attack elsewhere.

Key takeaways

• Lead through strength (from West, through North).
• Target broken honours like K-J-x or A-Q-x.
• Traps declarer into making a guess.
• Never lead up to a broken honour from East.