Part 4

If, however, you hold a black hand when you are a game to the good, with 8 points or more on the second game, particularly if the hand contains four club honours, it may not be advisable to pass the declaration. The honour score together with the probable trick value of the hand will win more points than the average hand is worth, whereas you could not support your partner’s red declaration.

SPADES

Spades should never be declared offensively, unless to win the game at a score of 24 or more points. With a very weak hand some players advise a defensive spade make with the hope of preventing a disastrous passed make. Statistics, no doubt, prove the correctness of this theory, still but few of the better players attempt a defensive spade declaration unless the score justifies their so doing. If you are a game to the good and perhaps well along on the second game, with a hand too poor to support an average “no-trump” or red make, it might be wise not to risk the advantage already gained. Should the adversaries win the game on your deal, it would give them the first deal on the rubber game.

At a love score, however, no player should deprive his partner of the privilege of declaring the trump to win. Many times a passed “no-trump” or red make is strong enough with slight assistance to win the game.

PASSED MAKES

The success of an original “no-trump” make is often due to the fact that the adversaries do not discover the dealer’s weak suit; a passed “no-trumper,” however, is exposed, and has the additional disadvantage of the dealer’s acknowledged weakness. The dealer shows by passing that he has not a strong hand; neither has he much strength in the red suits; while this latter inference may be doubtful, for the dealer often passes with fair strength in diamonds and occasionally in both red suits, still the fact remains that a passed “no-trump” make that is weak in the red suits, is extremely risky.

It is remarkable how many passed “no-trumpers” go astray, and the number proves the necessity for more cautious passed makes. The dummy hand, in declaring the trump, should keep in mind the general rules suggested for the dealer, and be governed in his choice by the state of the score, by the general strength of his hand, and by the dealer’s acknowledged weakness.

A speculative spirit is so strong in some players that they find it difficult to resist announcing a make which they know to be unsound, yet with which they hope, by a fortuitous combination of circumstances, to win. Often the result of one hand, which proves nothing, will encourage this tendency toward unsound makes.

Be very careful about declaring a red trump with but four cards. The beginner’s distaste for spade makes, frequently leads to a light red make which is doubled, and the game thrown away. As a general rule, it is wrong to attempt a red trump unless the hand is worth at least four tricks. With fewer than four tricks, make the declaration that will lose the least. The score will often warrant a risky make, but consider that your partner knew the score and did not deem his hand worth a venture. Do not flatter your partner by a few kind remarks and then place a hand on the table that is a disgrace to your judgment.

When you are ahead on the game, avoid all weak heart and diamond makes. If you must gamble, a “no-trump” make is a safer speculation.

With four or more clubs, including two honours and one or two worthless spades, clubs will usually prove the more profitable declaration. For defensive purposes a club is useful and is a safer defence than an extremely weak spade, which the adversaries will probably double.

Do not hesitate to make it spades when your hand is weak; and be cautious at all times about making a declaration which will more easily win the game for your adversaries than for you.

ABANDONING SPADE HANDS

A custom that is rapidly growing in favour is that of not playing an undoubled spade make unless the dealer is 20 or more on the game. If the hand is not to be played, the dealer scores two points for the odd trick and the honours are credited to the side that holds them.

All Bridge players have objected at times to the tediousness of spade hands, and this may be the cause of the increasing popularity of this innovation in the more prominent clubs. When Bridge is played for a stake, the result is reached in a much shorter time by throwing spade hands, but there is no reason why other players should not find as much interest in a spade hand as in a stronger declaration.

The rule of abandoning spade hands unless the dealer is 20 or more is unsound. If this custom is to stand the test of time, it must be equitable. It should read: “If either side is 20 or more the hand should be played.” It is an obvious injustice to the adversaries not to play a spade hand when the dealer is, say, 14 and the adversaries 28; for, if the opponents do not double, they have no chance to win the game on that hand; while if they do double, a redouble might follow, which would give the dealer an excellent chance to win the game.

DOUBLING

With any kind of fair strength the novice at Bridge is invariably anxious to double; but a few experiences with an adversary glad to embrace the opportunity to redouble, will turn the course of his anxiety to a desire to conceal such strength as he may hold.

Ordinarily be satisfied to win at all on the opponent’s make. By doubling you not only place the strength and thus enable the dealer to finesse successfully, but your double is a warning to the dealer to be cautious in leading trumps, and therefore, lessens your chances of winning tricks.

To increase safely the value of the tricks it is essential that you consider the state of the score, the possibility of a redouble, and your position in regard to the maker.

The score is a most important factor, and even, at times, justifies a double with only a fair hand. For instance, suppose the odd trick wins the game for your adversaries, and does not win it for you; if you double and secure the odd trick, the additional count may enable you to win the game on that deal or the next.

It is bad play to double when you need only an odd trick to win the game. If you double you lessen your chance of winning the trick, and by opening the way to a redouble perhaps give the adversaries the game.

Doubling on the rubber game is dangerous. The increased value of the tricks may enable your adversaries to win the rubber on that hand, when, otherwise, you might go out on the next deal.

Your position in regard to the maker claims equal consideration. If the trump has been made at your right, you play after the strong hand, and are, therefore, in a good position to make your high trump cards; but, if you double when this arrangement is reversed, and the maker is over you, the dealer has this advantage.

As spades are made for safety, occasions for doubling the spade declaration obviously arise more frequently than any other; yet players are prone to go to extremes in doubling spade hands, for, while it does not require much strength to double a defensive spade declaration, there is always a possibility of great trump strength in the adversaries’ hands.

Do not double the make of hearts, diamonds, or clubs without some strength in the trump suit; as high cards, particularly if the suits are long, may be trumped, strength in the side suits alone is unreliable. Spades, however, may be doubled with but little strength in the trump suit.

Be particularly conservative in doubling a “no-trump” make; for but rarely does it pay to double with a hand containing general strength. Remember that while you are in the dark as to your partner’s hand, the dealer has the enormous advantage of seeing and combining his own hand and the dummy; that he knows what suit to avoid, and what suit to establish; and that your doubling will place him in a still more advantageous position by enabling him to locate honours and make successful finesses. Be cautious, also, when you hold fair strength in three suits and are weak in the remaining one. The maker is apt to hold a very long suit and you will not find it easy to discard, and at the same time protect your hand.

Usually it is not safe to double a “no-trump” make unless you hold a suit that you are reasonably sure is established. It is a gamble to double with a six-card suit headed by ace, king, and queen with no other trick in the hand. You depend on your partner to take one trick, which he may not be able to do; and, should you find your long suit protected in the adversaries’ hands, you run the risk of being very badly beaten. If the odd trick wins the game for the adversaries and does not win it for you, such a double may be justifiable; still you cannot hope to win more than 24 points by doubling, and you risk losing three or four odd tricks with a possibility of a redouble. While such a double will often succeed it can hardly be classed as sound.

As the younger hand, it may be wise to double a “no-trump” make in order to prevent great loss or to save the game. In other words, it may pay to show your partner by a double that you have strength in a particular suit. There are at present two methods used by Bridge players to indicate this strength, one known as the Heart Convention and the other as the Weak Suit Convention.

REDOUBLING

Although the score may sometimes warrant a redouble without extraordinary strength, a redouble practically avows the ability to take six, and probably, seven tricks. In estimating your hand consider the possibility of finding all the remaining trumps in one hand, and do not value honours in the side suits too highly, for if he holds great trump strength the maker is probably short in the other suits. A redouble at “no-trump” indicates protection in every suit.

The dealer should often redouble, not so much on the strength of his hand, but to the score; knowing that should the adversaries win the odd trick the game is lost, and that his redouble will equalise the situation and make it possible for the odd trick to win the game for either side.

ESTIMATING THE VALUE OF A HAND

In considering your probable tricks those in the trump suit are of course most certain.

On the right side of the maker three trumps with a single honour, ace, king, or queen, may be estimated as being worth but one trick.

Do not count on ruffing with a single trump.

Should you hold three trumps with two honours, headed by the ace king, the king queen, or even the king jack, you are reasonably sure of two tricks in the trump suit--as can also be said of four trumps with two high honours. Indeed in the last combination, with the third best card an eight or better, there are probably three trump tricks.

With four trumps including three, or five trumps including two honours, provided the suit is headed by the ace or king, you can reasonably expect to secure three tricks in the trump suit.

Aces and kings in the side suits are usually good for a trick each; but allow for the length of the suit, the shorter it is the less probability that your honours will be trumped. It is not safe to count on making your queens; they may be classed as doubtful tricks.

Spades may be doubled with four tricks. To double hearts, diamonds, or clubs you should be sure of five tricks.

THE LEAD WHEN PARTNER HAS DOUBLED

A double by your partner indicates some strength in trumps as well as in the side suits. It does not necessarily imply a desire to get the trumps out, nor should you invariably lead trumps when your partner has doubled; your play must be influenced by the general character of your own hand.

If you hold a short suit it is obviously a better lead than trumps. You may be able to ruff with your small trumps.

It is also bad play to lead trumps up to the maker. This would place your partner’s high cards in a position to be easily captured by the dealer.

When dummy is the maker, the trump lead from weakness through the strong hand gives your partner the advantage of position; but it is safer play to win the first trick, if possible, and decide on your subsequent play after seeing the dummy hand.

Avoid leading trumps to your partner if you hold the ace, the king, or the queen of trumps guarded; your partner may have doubled on high suit cards with but little strength in trumps.

In leading trumps from weakness always lead the highest card, so that your partner can discover the distribution of the suit, and place the dealer’s trumps.

As a doubled spade make does not of necessity show strength in trumps, it is not as a rule the custom of good players to lead spades, except from strength, before seeing the dummy hand. If you hold trump strength your partner has probably doubled on his suit cards, and your trump lead will insure the safety of his high cards. Should you hold a strong suit hand, your partner’s double is presumably an indication of trump strength, and the trump opening would be advisable.

With only fair strength in the side suits and weak trumps, especially where you hold a short suit, do not be tempted to lead the trump originally. Wait until you learn more of the position of the cards.

THE HEART CONVENTION

When you have the first lead and your partner has doubled a “no-trump” make, you are expected to lead your highest heart.

Under this system the younger hand does not double “no-trumps” unless he is willing that a heart should be led; and although the doubling power of the younger hand is reduced, it makes your lead, unless you have the misfortune to hold no heart, a practical certainty.

Should you hold an established suit and the ace of hearts you must, of course, double to have the heart led. When you hold an established suit of hearts, or a long suit of hearts that can be established in one lead and a sure card of re-entry, a double may save the game.

THE WEAK SUIT CONVENTION

In England and in some parts of this country, if the younger hand doubles it is a signal for his partner to lead the highest card of his weakest suit; trusting that this weak suit and the doubler’s long one will prove identical.

As this convention justifies a double with any established suit, it multiplies the opportunities to double; but, on the other hand, since the leader may have to choose between two weak suits, there is no certainty that he will make the desired lead; he may instead strike the dealer’s long suit with a disastrous result.

THE NON-DEALER’S PLAY AGAINST A DECLARED TRUMP

Remember that in playing against a trump declaration, unless it be spades, you are sure to find trump strength, probably five or more, with the maker. If you are weak in the trump suit, and your partner does not show strength by doubling, your best defence is an endeavour to save the game by making high cards early in the hand.

In playing against a red declaration, be on the defensive from the start. The only time that you can afford to be aggressive is when it is evident that the dealer is trying to establish a “cross-ruff,” or a “ruff” in the weak trump hand.

It is an advantage to win the first trick, as this enables you to see the thirteen cards in dummy. The scheme of play of a hand may be changed after the dummy is seen; therefore, it is not possible to state what should be done after the opening lead; but, as a general principle, it is safe either to continue the suit led originally or to endeavour to help your partner’s hand by leading through strength. You should be careful at all times neither to establish a suit for the adversary, nor to give the dealer an opportunity to discard his worthless cards.

When there is an established suit against you, unless you can stop the dealer’s lead of trumps, make all possible tricks before you give up the lead. If the dealer once obtains the lead, he may exhaust the trumps, and make the established suit.

As the dealer sees the dummy hand and his own, and therefore knows the cards that are against him, give your partner correct information regarding the cards you hold. While this may be valuable to the dealer in placing the cards, the knowledge will be of greater benefit to your partner and yourself.

THE OPENING LEAD

When trumps are against you, unless you lead your high cards early in the hand you may lose them. The dealer may be able to exhaust trumps, and make some one suit on which to discard his losing cards. When your hand is strong in each suit, there is not this danger; there can be no established suit against you.

No doubt the best opening that can be made against a trump declaration is from a combination containing both ace and king. The lead of the king from this combination gives you an opportunity to see the dummy and does not clear the suit for the adversary. While the king lead should usually be followed by the ace, in some cases, where it is apparent that the dealer’s weak hand can trump on the second round, or that the lead may clear the suit for the dealer or dummy, the suit should not be continued. It is rarely wrong to lead from a sequence, especially from one of three high cards. If you hold no sequence of three, perhaps those containing two honours in sequence, such as king queen, queen jack, or even jack ten, may be classed as good openings. Often when you hold no high card sequence, the lead is a disadvantage; experience shows that you make more tricks in a suit if it is led to you; for that reason it is often advisable to refrain from opening tenace suits or suits with a single honour.

The following are given as examples of combinations from which it is not advisable to lead:

A Q x x A J x x K J x x K x x x

In opening a suit headed by the ace, avoid the lead of a low card. The dealer may win the first round and find means to discard his remaining losing cards in that suit.

No objection can be raised to the lead of an ace with four or more other cards in the suit, but with less than five it is better play to avoid leading that suit. If the lead comes up to you, the ace may kill some high cards in the adversary’s hand and promote the value of the cards held by your partner; whereas if you lead the ace presumably only small cards will fall, making high ones good for the dealer.

If your hand is hopelessly weak in trumps and in side suits, even with but three cards in the suit, an ace should be led in order to save a grand slam.

If you are forced to open a suit containing a single honour, or a suit with two honours not in sequence, not including suits headed by the ace, the fourth best card should be led.

The following are given as examples of combinations from which the fourth best card should be led:

K J x x K 10 x x K x x x Q x x x Q 10 x x J x x x 10 x x x

With a long weak suit it is better play to lead the fourth best card. Any irregular lead may suggest a short suit to your partner, and loss may result from his incorrect interpretation of the lead.

EXAMPLES OF OPENING LEADS

THE UNDERLINED CARD INDICATES THE LEAD.

(_Hearts_) TRUMP DECLARED BY DEALER.

+---------------------------------------------------------+ | Transcriber's Note: | | The underlines have been replaced with square brackets. | | For example [K]. | +---------------------------------------------------------+

_Holding the Lead._ +--------------+----------------+---------------+--------------+ | ♥ | ♠ | ♦ | ♣ | +--------------+----------------+---------------+--------------+ | J 8 2 | K J 7 6 | A [K] Q 5 3 |7 | | 8 |[A] Q 6 5 4 2 | Q 8 4 | 9 8 | | J 10 | 10 8 4 | K J 9 |[A] 8 7 4 3 | | 6 4 |[A] Q J 10 9 | 7 3 2 | 9 6 4 | | 10 4 | A 6 |[A] J 7 5 3 2 | 8 7 5 | | 9 7 | A [K] 4 | A 8 6 4 3 | 7 6 3 | | 6 5 3 | 8 6 5 2 | K J 5 3 |[A] K | | J 6 5 | 9 6 4 2 |[A] 10 | 9 7 4 3 | | 9 5 3 |[A] 6 | K 9 5 2 | A Q 5 4 | | 8 6 5 | 9 6 3 |[A] J 9 4 | 10 5 3 | +--------------+----------------+---------------+--------------+

_Leading from a Sequence._ +--------------+----------------+---------------+--------------+ | ♥ | ♠ | ♦ | ♣ | +--------------+----------------+---------------+--------------+ | 8 6 | A 5 | A J 5 |[K] Q J 7 6 4 | | 9 8 6 4 | 7 | A 8 5 3 |[K] Q J 10 | | K 8 5 | 8 5 4 | 10 6 5 3 |[Q] J 10 | | K 10 5 | K 6 3 |[K] Q 8 5 | A 7 3 | | A J 6 | K 6 4 | 8 6 4 3 |[K] Q J | | Q 7 5 |[Q] J 10 6 | A 8 5 | A Q 7 | | J 6 4 | 10 |[K] Q J 9 7 5 | Q 7 3 | +--------------+----------------+---------------+--------------+

_Leading from Long Suits._ +--------------+----------------+---------------+--------------+ | ♥ | ♠ | ♦ | ♣ | +--------------+----------------+---------------+--------------+ | Q J 7 4 | K 10 8 [4] | A 7 | J 9 5 | | K 6 |[Q] J 9 6 4 | 9 8 6 | 6 5 2 | | 8 5 | A J 6 | K J [10] 8 5 | K 7 4 | | J 10 | Q J 7 [3] | A Q 6 3 | A J 8 | | A J 7 5 | 4 3 | 10 8 7 [4] 2 | Q 5 | | J 8 5 3 | K 10 7 [5] 3 | A 8 6 | 8 | | 8 6 4 | 9 5 2 | 8 6 3 | Q 9 6 [4] | | 10 6 | K 10 8 [3] | 10 7 6 2 | A J 5 | | K 10 7 | A J 8 | 10 7 5 [4] | Q 9 2 | | A J | J 6 4 | Q 10 8 [6] 2 | 8 5 3 | +--------------+----------------+-------------+----------------+

INFERENCES FROM HIGH CARD LEADS

It is not easy to determine from the lead of a high card how many cards are held in the suit. You can only assume the length from the number of cards you hold and the number in dummy. The fall of the cards may give the information, but you cannot rely altogether on the dealer’s play; it is his object to make it difficult for you to place the cards.

=The lead of an ace= denies the king. If the king is neither in dummy nor in your own hand, it should be placed with the dealer. Should your partner, however, lead an ace and follow with the king, the lead indicates that he holds no other card of that suit, and should enable you to locate the queen.

Among the better players the lead of an ace also denies the queen, since if the suit is led up to the ace, queen, tenace, two tricks may be made. This inference, however, should not be too rigidly drawn, because great length in the suit might justify an opening from an ace-queen combination.

The lead of an ace followed by the queen indicates the jack.

The lead of an ace followed by the jack indicates the ten, or no other card in the suit.

If it develops that your partner has led the ace from ace and two small cards, it indicates either a very weak hand or a tenace in some other suit.

=The lead of a king= indicates the ace, the queen, or both. Should the king win the first trick, you should infer that your partner holds the ace. If the king is taken by the ace, the queen is marked in your partner’s hand. If the king is followed by the ace, it denies the queen.

{ A K Q { A K J =The king should be led from= { A K x { K Q J { K Q x

=The lead of a queen= denies the ace and the king, consequently the lead places both of these high cards.