Counting partner’s points

Listen to the bidding. West has 11 HCPs and East 14 or a good 13. So partner has an opening hand and therefore all the defensive entries. We need to lead partner's suit not one of ours. We cannot be sure which of the black suits partner would prefer, but we do have a clue.

Partner had the opportunity to double the 2♠ bid for lead, but he didn't. So maybe he prefers clubs. Get the defence off to probably the best start by leading ♣Q.

Even if you haven't agreed to double artificial bids for lead direction, there is another advantage to ♣Q. By showing all our points at trick one, partner will immediately be able to determine all of declarer's high honours.

As the cards lie, this is the only lead that defeats the contract.