[helene_t]

I lead the jack from AJTxx against a notrump contract and partner did not return the suit.

In EBU land it is somewhat popular to play Strong 10 leads. So a Jack denies a higher honour. The ten "promises" a higher honour as from T9x you lead the 9. But for most pairs, the ten can also be from Tx.

Questions:
1) Should we play this against suit contracts also?
2) Is it a good idea at all?
3) Especially in the context of Polish leads, should we lead small from Tx? Should we lead the 10 from QTx and KTx?
4) What about QJTx?

[DavidKok]

I don't think Polish honour systems and strong 10 leads are compatible. If you wish to specify that the J denies a higher honour and the 10 "promises" one, I think you may have to change your pip leads to accomodate this.

[PrecisionL]

Bob Hamman does not play J denies.

[helene_t]

DavidKok, on 2025-August-20, 04:20, said:

I don't think Polish honour systems and strong 10 leads are compatible. If you wish to specify that the J denies a higher honour and the 10 "promises" one, I think you may have to change your pip leads to accomodate this.

Why is that? Is it a problem that you have to lead the 9 from T9(x(x)) ? Maybe it is a problem that 9 followed by a small could be either H9x or T9xx(x) but that is only against suit contracts since against NT we would lead 4th from T9xx(x). What am I missing?

[DavidKok]

Playing Polish leads, I would lead the J from AJx and KJx (including AJT/KJT?). Since jack denies, you presumably lead the x from those holdings. But now the x no longer promises one or three higher cards, so partner will have a more difficult time telling what you hold on a small card lead. Similarly, you mention the problem with Tx, where you might now wish to lead x.
Polish 2nd/4th with top of an (interior) sequence carries both shape and strength information, and by adding "jack denies, ten promises" you need to start introducing exceptions where shape, strength or both are more difficult to read on pip leads. I'm not sure it gains (much, or even anything) on the relevant honour leads either?

[helene_t]

Thanks David, maybe it's not such a good idea.

My partner (not playing Polish leads, nor strong 10s) said I should lead x from AJTx as he couldn't read the Jack. Maybe that's better. Of course the internal sequence can win if dummy has the queen and partner the king but it may be more important to lead and encouraging small card.

[WasWinM]

You should have an idea from the bidding and your own hand the likelihood that J is an interior sequence. Keep in mind what you tell partner you’re also telling declarer. I played them because Bob liked them but I think an over reliance on gadgets hurts bridge thinking.

[bluenikki]

helene_t, on 2025-August-20, 10:42, said:

Thanks David, maybe it's not such a good idea.

My partner (not playing Polish leads, nor strong 10s) said I should lead x from AJTx as he couldn't read the Jack. Maybe that's better.

Also, anytime partner has honor doubleton, you don't block the suit.

[bluenikki]

helene_t, on 2025-August-20, 10:42, said:

Thanks David, maybe it's not such a good idea.

My partner (not playing Polish leads, nor strong 10s) said I should lead x from AJTx as he couldn't read the Jack. Maybe that's better.

Also, anytime partner has honor doubleton, you don't block the suit.

[bluenikki]

helene_t, on 2025-August-20, 10:42, said:

Thanks David, maybe it's not such a good idea.

My partner (not playing Polish leads, nor strong 10s) said I should lead x from AJTx as he couldn't read the Jack. Maybe that's better.

Also, anytime partner has honor doubleton, you don't block the suit.

[TMorris]

I love strong 10s leads. I want all my opponents to play them. I find them very helpful as declarer.