Journalist leads

Journalist leads are an Opening lead convention in the game of contract bridge. The method is designed to fix some problems with the standard opening lead system. It bears some resemblance to Rusinow leads but has striking differences.

Not only do Journalist leads attempt to show what the opening leader has, but may also request the partner of opening leader to take specific actions, such as unblocking. Journalist leads are normally used against No Trump contracts.

* With a holding of A-K-J-x, A-K-Q-10 or other similar sequence the defender would lead the Ace, which requests the partner to unblock by playing their highest card.
* In other situations the second of touching honours is normally played.
* The lead of the Queen may be from K-Q-10-9 and requests partner to unblock the jack or may be from Q-J-10, in which case it is an exception to the rule to lead the second-highest of touching honours.
* From A-J-10 or K-J-10, Q-10-9 and similar sequences the 10 is led, to indicate that a higher honor. From sequences without the higher honor, such as J-10-9-x the Jack would be led.
* From long suits generally lead third or fifth best.
* From long suits the defender does not want to see returned generally lead a high card.

The proposed advantage of Journalist leads is shown in this deal:

When West leads the Jack his partner may win the Ace and switch to another suit. When the 10 is lead East will know to return the suit.