The safest lead is a four because this card cannot be used to make a 15 at the opponent’s very next turn. Leading an ace or deuce is not a good idea, for these cards should be saved until later to help make a 15, a Go, or a 31.
Leading from a pair is a good idea, for even if the opponent makes a pair, the leader can play the other matching card from his hand and collect for a pair royal. As expected, the five makes for the worst lead in that there are so many ten-cards that the opponent can use to make a 15. The ace and king tend to be good cards to put in the crib because it is harder to use them in a run. Laying out a pair is usually a poor choice too, and the same goes for sequential cards, such as putting both a six and seven in the crib. Laying out a five would be the worst choice, for the dealer could use it to make 15 with any one of the ten-cards (10, J, Q, K). Conversely, for the non-dealer, it is best to lay out cards that will be the least advantageous for the dealer.
If the dealer is discarding for the crib, he should “salt” it with the best possible cards, but at the same time retain good cards in his hand that can be used for high scoring.
