Mighty

Example 1

Hand: ♥A, K, Q, J, 8, 6 / ♣A, K, Q / Joker /
Trump: ♥
Friend: Mighty Friend

How should this be played?

1. The declarer cannot lead a trump on the opening lead, so they lead ♣A. Everyone follows clubs, and the declarer wins the first trick without any problems. On the second trick, the declarer leads ♣K again, thinking
   "♣K is the second-highest club after ♣A. I should win this trick as well~".
   The next player is the Friend, who recognizes ♣K as a top card at this moment and therefore sees no need spend the Mighty here, choosing to hold it back. However, the third player then plays a Kan with ♥10. As a result, the defenders capture the point cards, even though the declarer led a seemingly perfect top card.
   This illustrates an important lesson: a top card is not truly a top card until all trumps have been drawn.

2. In the same situation, instead of leading ♣K on the second trick, the declarer leads ♥A. Everyone follows hearts. The declarer then continues with ♥K and ♥Q, drawing out all of the opponents' trumps.
   After all trumps are gone, the declarer leads ♣K. Although one defender is void in clubs, there are no trumps left to beat it. In the end, the declarer - Friend team wins the round comfortably.

This example is intended to highlight the importance of drawing trumps early. Although the hand itself is strong enough to succeed in no-trump, the key lesson here is that, when playing with a trump contract, a top card is not truly safe until the opponents' trumps have been removed.

In fact, if the declarer were to choose no-trump instead, even the uncertainty of the opening lead could be avoided, making a clean run much more stable.

Example 1

Hand: ♠A / ◆A, K, J, 9, 7 / ♥K, Q, 5 / ♣3 /

What should you choose as the trump and the Friend? How should you play?

1. Set a trump as ◆ and select ♥A Friend. On the opening lead, play ♥5. The Friend may immediately help by playing ♥A and winning the trick. The friend then returns a trump.
   At this point, the declarer uses the Mighty here. On the third trick, the declarer leads ♣3 and calls the Joker. Although about 2 points are conceded to the defenders here, the declarer still holds five diamond trumps, and the remaining hearts are now effectively top cards.
   On the next trick, the declarer plays a Kan and continues drawing trumps. Once all defender trumps are gone, the declarer can safely lead hearts, which are now the uncontested top card.

2. Set a trump as ◆ and choosing Joker Friend because the declarer holds the Mighty. The declarer cannot lead a trump on the opening lead. Should they play the Mighty? Or will ♥A come out if they lead ♥5? Since the declarer also holds Jocall, they decide to lead ♥5.
   However, ♥A does not appear. A defender wins the trick with ♥J. On the second trick, a defender leads ♠ to initiate a Mighty attack, forcing the Mighty to be played.
   The declarer then begins pulling trumps, playing ◆A and ◆K, but ◆Q does not appear. On the next low trump, the Joker Friend finally helps, and on the third trump trick, ◆Q is drawn out.
   Although all defender trumps are eventually removed, the declarer's remaining point cards are later captured by ♥A, and ♣3 is left stranded. The declarer ultimately loses a trick on a club lead.

If you hold the Mighty, should you always choose Joker Friend? Not necessarily. Depending on the hand, choosing First Help Friend or Top A-card Friend may lead to a much more stable outcome. Extra question: Can this hand be played as no-trump? I have considered several lines, but personally, I think no-trump is too risky with this hand.