Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1899-11-19
WHIST.
When to Lead SingIeton-Can Such a
Thing Be Without Shocking the Nerves
Of Long Suiters?---A Second Hand
Finesse That Will Do to Ponder Over,
Only venturesomc Player Would
fIake 1t.
WHEN TO LEAD A SINGLETON.


A singleton lead is not only justifi-
able, but sometimes almost imperative,
as when the leader holds strong tenace
suits up 10 which it will be advantage
one very strong suit and no probable
entry in another suit. With four
trumps it is rarely or never justifable
to lead singleton. If the singleton
be high enough to enable partner to
read that it is not fourth best, Or 9TH
erwise irregular, as from the eight to
the Queen, he will finesse, if possible,
so that the lead may not kill high
card of the suit in his hand that would
otherwise be likely to make with a sim
gleton lower than the eight may do.
But holding suit OF such length that,
even If established, there is no human
probability of bringing in, and which
will probably be ruffed on the second
round, singleton opening is the right
opening, in our judgment, when weak
than three and without an honor. A
good example of this play is afforded
by deal rs of the New American
trophy match, illustrated in the Deem
Der number of the Player, in which
Elwell, of the New York team opens
the Nine of Hearts singleton, holding
Jack, 8, 2 of Spades (trumps); Queen,
8, of Clubs; Ace, Queen, Jack, 10, 9
of Diamonds. Covered second hand
By the 10, his parner, wins with the
J~ek and, having three trumps to the
Ace, the Heart suit sets up, excepting
tie King (Which is marked with sec
ond hand), opens from his hand the
singleton Seven of Clubs. A gain of
two tricks is directly traceable to the
opening, which we think an ideal hand
for singleton lead.
Barring trumps less than two tricks
can hardly be made in the Diamond
suit if not opened, and more could
scarcely be expected by opening it. On
the other hand the Nine of Hearts,
marked as short, allows partner fin
esse and gives the leader chance to
make one or more of his small trumpS
by ruffing. But the singleton is dan
gerous to fool with and unless led with
good judgment may wreck the hand.
1t is certainly a good, general rule for
the inexpert never to open with a sin
gleton. The opening of a low single
ton is especially dangerous, as it may
secrifice a Queen or King in partners
hand, which, if led to fourth hand from
him, would make. Still if the object
for which it is led namely, the making
of small trump by rufing, is finally
accomplished, this may more than Off
set the apparent loss. 1t is only when
the adversaries are strong in the suit
led and also strong enough in trumps
to venture a trump attack on the sus-
picion of your design to ruff the next
round, that a loss is entailed, and even
then if fourth hand opens trumps up
to your partner (who is likely to be
strong in them if you are weak and he
gets in it, is probable that he will
come back with the suit and give you
the ruff. Here is a recent holding from
which the singleton Queen of Spades
gained two tricks:
Hearts-ftrlmp) A O IL Q
Spades-Q.
Diamonds, 5.
Clubs-9, g. Z, 8.
Heart @ turned. Leader w
Second hand wins with the King and
starts the Nine of Trumps; third hand