25 / DEFENSE SYSTEM [07.21.2007] COMMENT: The Choice of the Opening Lead is critical for best defense. Some leads are passive. Some give precise information. Some "ask" for specific information. "SPOT CARD" OPENING LEADS "LO SPOT" in Partner's Suit [CONFIRMS HONOR] "HI SPOT" in Partner's Suit [DENIES HONOR] 3rd-and-5th at NT-or-SUIT 10-9 [TWO Higher -or- NONE Higher] "SPOT CARD" AFTER OPENING LEAD "LO SPOT" [CONFIRMS HONOR] "HI SPOT" [DENIES HONOR] OPENING HONOR LEADS @ NOTRUMP A-K-J-10 [UNBLOCK QUEEN -or- Standard Count] A-K-J-X [Upside Down Attitude] A-Q-J-10 [UNBLOCK KING -or- Standard Count] A-Q-J-2 [Upside Down Attitude] A-J-10-9 K-Q-J-2 [Upside Down Attitude] K-Q-10-9 [UNBLOCK JACK -or- Standard Count] K-Q-10-2 [Upside Down Attitude] K-Q-9-8 [Upside Down Attitude] K-Q-X [AVOID - Upside Down Attitude] K-J-10-9 Q-J-10-X [Standard Count] Q-J-9-X [Standard Count] Q-J-X [AVOID] Q-10-9 J-10-9-X [DENIES Higher HONOR - Upside Down Attitude] J-10-X [Usually in Partner's Suit - Upside Down Attitude] J-10-X-X [Standard] OPENING HONOR LEADS @ SUIT COMMENT:  HONOR leads @ Suit Contracts request specific Upside-Down-Attitude -or- Standard Count. An exception is necessary when Dummy's holding indicates "NO more tricks in Opening Suit". In this instance, partner's carding should indicate "Suit Preference". A-K-X [Upside Down Attitude on ACE - Standard Count on KING] A-K ALONE [Standard Count on KING -THEN- SUIT PREFERENCE For Entry] K-Q-J-X [Standard Count - EXCEPT UpSide Down Attitude if DUMMY has ACE] K-Q-10-X [Standard Count] K-Q-X [Standard Count] K-J-10-9 Q-J-10 [Upside Down Attitude] Q-J-9 [Upside Down Attitude] Q-J-X [Upside Down Attitude] Q-10-9 J-10-9-X [Upside Down Attitude] J-10-X [Usually in Partner's Suit - Upside Down Attitude] J-10-X-X [Standard] LATER HONOR LEADS @ NOTRUMP -or- SUIT Higher of Touching HONORS [Upside Down Attitude] EXCEPT ACE DENIES KING [Upside Down Attitude] SPECIAL CARDING 1st Discard [LAVINTHAL] - Negative Suit Discard HI-SPOT = Higher suit preference LO-SPOT = Lower Suit preference STANDARD COUNT UPSIDE DOWN ATTITUDE [ONLY OUR HONOR LEADS] “Trump Suit Preference” [Sequence “suggests” suit preference]