Lead
Definition
To play the first card of a trick. The player who won the previous trick (or the player left of dealer on the first trick) leads.
Lead in play
Whoever wins a trick leads the next, and the opening lead falls to the player on the dealer's left. The lead is powerful because you choose the suit everyone must follow: pickers often lead high trump to pull the defenders' trump, while defenders use position-based leads - long through, short to - to put the picker in a bind.
Learn more
Related Terms
Trick
One round of play where each player contributes one card. There are 6 tricks in a hand. The highest card wins the trick.
Dealer
The player who deals the cards. The deal rotates clockwise after each hand. The player to the dealer's left gets first chance to pick.
Follow Suit
The requirement to play a card of the same suit that was led, if you have one. Trump is considered its own suit.