On defense, when leading a suit, we follow certain conventions such as “top of a sequence” or “fourth best”, all the better to help Partner figure out what is going on.  But, once in a while, we lie.  Consider this deal:

                                                    Both Vulnerable

                                                    South  West   North  East

                                                    Pass   1♠        3♥       3♠

                                                    4♥        4♠       Pass   Pass

                                                    Pass

 

North   Declarer    Dummy              You	♠ J87 ♥ 65 ♦ K973 ♣ KQ62
♠ 643 ♥ A43 ♦ T8642 ♣ A7

 

North’s 3♥ showed a weak hand and a long suit (typically seven of them, occasionally only six).  It’s a preemptive bid designed to disrupt the enemy auction.  Nonetheless, E-W breeze into a 4♠ contract and Partner (North) leads the Heart Two, which you win with the Ace, Declarer following with the Eight.  Does anything seem odd about Partner’s opening lead?

►