Opening leads are so important to the defense  and 

I would like to  see   a  good  reference here  on opening leads too

I have always led 4th best and seems I get   several  different leads from   partners  3rd , 5th ,    10 means,  1 higher etc  etc     I have searched the  bridge pages for opening lead tables  and leads  from  certain holdings   but  do not find much.

I recall   somewhere  a  table that listed the best to the worst (dblton) but  I dont find it on the net ..... help!!!!

 

excellent resources for opening leads/defense:

1.louis watson-play of the hand

2.easley blackwood-the complete book of opening leads at bridge

3.easley blackwood-play of the hand with blackwood[1st chap deals with opening leads]

4.john mallon-opening leads and signals

I would like to know what the advantage of 3rd and 5th best leads over 4th best leads is supposed to be. 

 

Gipp

 

I put up a table of worst leads on here - it was taken from Blackwood - The complete book of opening leads. I  don't have the book anymore so can't reproduce it.

 

2fer

 

The original methods which many American experts use is called Journalist leads - this includes 3/5 and Rusinow. The book most Americans refer to is Journalist Leads by Lawrence Rosler and Jeff Rubens which outlines the whole method with zillions of examples (but you'll have to get it second hand). There were earlier books recommending the same methods in Europe. A very brief summary of journalist leads can be found at http://www.cavendish.demon.co.uk/bridge/journlst.htm .

 

If you want an exploration of 3/5 leads I can write a few thoughts...I used to play them all the time and they are great for people who count everything on defense...(Im too lazy/incompetent most of the time)...but I gave them up for different methods.

 

I once asked one of our top Canadian players the merit of playing 4th best, rule of eleven (subtracting from 11 to find the amount of cards that will be higher than the card lead) rule of , 3rd best, rule of twelve, 5th best, rule of 10.

However the most interesting comment made by this person was that one of the main reason he used 3rd or 5th was  that many opponents are reluctant to learn the difference.

The moral is "do not be reluctant to ask for explanation". Most bridge players take pride in giving a full explanation. I use 4th best but when checking ops cc and I  see different leads I will often check my bible to see which rule applies. Can't remember everything you know. Hope I didn't post this message already.

I play 4th best vs. suits because I know immediately a little more about length in suit led. I prefer 3rd best in partners bid suit (or implied suit) as pd more often has 3 than 4. Also, I prefer 3rd best when leading your unbid or 2nd suit after having bid a suit. Rusinow vs. suits rather than ace from ace king or standard has been deemed theoretically superior in BRIDGE WORLD article "3 coins in a fountain".