[MickyB]

In the context of leading 4th from an honour, 2nd without an honour, low from Hxx, T from T9x and HT9x - when should the systemic lead from H98 be the nine? I have heard separate suggestions that it should only be led from -

• H98 and possibly H98x, not H98xx
  
• A98, Q98, J98, not K98
  
• A98, J98, not K98 or Q98
  
• Two higher honours, eg KJ98

and others beside, including at least one of "only vs suits" and "only vs no-trumps". Thoughts?

Edit: Also, what if you are leading the 9 from HT9 as well?

[han]

I always treat 98 as small cards, not as a sequence.

[paulg]

han, on 2011-April-20, 03:07, said:

I always treat 98 as small cards, not as a sequence.

Always been my view too, although I am concerned by the number of experts who now seem to think differently.

[gnasher]

When we lead an intermediate from H109, the main reason is to allow us to finesse dummy's jack.

Similarly, if we lead an intermediate from H98, the main reason will be to finesse dummy's 10. That gains on this sort of layout:
        K1042
J986            Q5
        A73

        1043
J986            Q5
        AK72

Interestingly, the nine lead is more likely to be necessary in a suit contract. At notrumps, declarer will often play 10 anyway.

I can't think of a layout where the nine is right from K98.

[MickyB]

..... AT3

K984 ... J65

..... Q72

The suit will be frozen if we do not lead the nine. It also safety plays against partner playing the jack [could be right vs NT and a common mistake for weak players vs suits].

..... QTx

J98x ... Kxxx

...... Ax

Not technically a position where leading the 9 from K98x gains a trick, but it does leave declarer with a guess when we lead from J98. I was on the wrong end of this in the Euros, pretty painful.