Lead top of two (remaining)

Top of a doubleton harks back to way back when. A player playing “high-low” indicates they hold no more cards and can ruff the third round (there can be an ambiguity with leading high-for-hate).

The top-of-a-doubleton opening lead is somewhat overrated, however. It’s relatively unlikely you’ll score a ruff; too often you’ll help to set up declarer’s side-suit. Especially misguided is the queen from queen-small and jack from jack-small, because you’re losing your honour and also potentially misleading partner into thinking you own the card immediately below (leading top-of-a-sequence). There’s no argument about one thing, though. If you are leading back a suit from two remaining cards, you must lead the top. As well as giving partner the count of the suit, this is a crucial unblocking manoeuvre.