Dealer: South
Vulnerability: All

                           S AQ54
                           H QT9
                           D KQ5
                           C QT6 

           S T863            N              S 92         
           H 652           W   E            H AKJ8
           D A83             S              D J7642
           C 842                            C 73           

                           S KJ7
                           H 743 
                           D T9
                           C AKJ95 

                 Bidding:

                 South   West   North   East
                  1C     PASS    1S     PASS
                  1NT    PASS    3NT    PASS
                 PASS    PASS

     This is an actual hand from a Senior's event at a recent
Regional Tournament in Canton, Ohio.  The competition was fierce
and very rigorous.  The East/West pair were contending for first
place and this hand was going to be important, one way or the
other.  Mike Cassel was in the West seat and had to select an
opening lead.  Cassel knew his hand was not going to provide many
tricks and so decided, correctly, to lead the Ace of Diamonds. 
In this way he could see the dummy before relinquishing the lead
and also get some information from his partner's play to guide
him to the proper play at trick two.  Most established
partnerships have agreements as to the meaning of the card played
when the opening leader plays a card that will retain the lead. 
Against a No Trump contract, the lead of an Ace requires partner
to play his highest or second highest card in that suit as the
start of an unblocking procedure.  When it is obvious that
partner is not leading from a controlling position (such as this
case when the King and Queen appear in dummy), unblocking is not
necessary.  Partner should attempt to play a card that shows suit
preference so that the opening leader can make the right switch. 
A high card would show a preference for Spades, a low card,
Clubs, and therefore a middle card should indicate a preference
for the Heart suit.  Attitude signals and count signals will
accomplish nothing in this situation, and a good player will
always stop and consider the situation before playing a card so
as to insure that the right card is played.  Cassel's partner
played the 2 of Diamonds.  He meant it as an attitude signal. 
Cassel expected a suit preference signal and dutifully switched
to the 8 of Clubs.  Declarer quickly made 2 over tricks and the
chance for victory slipped away.  
     The most important lesson here is to have a firm partnership
understanding with regard to these situations so that you are
very clear on what each partner expects.  And then, keeping your
agreements in mind, try to Play The Right Card!