Part 2

If your hand is worth less than four tricks make the trump to lose as little as possible.

EXAMPLES OF ORIGINAL MAKES

NO-TRUMPERS WITH 3 ACES.

[C] [D] [S] [H]

A 10 5 3 A J 9 K 8 A 10 6 5 A K Q 10 6 4 2 A J 6 5 3 A 8 5 4 A 8 3 A 3 2 A 9 7 5

WITH 2 ACES AND 2 GUARDED SUITS.

[C] [D] [S] [H]

A K K Q J 8 4 K 9 5 A 8 3 A 7 6 3 K J x Q J 3 A 10 9 K Q 10 5 4 A K 5 4 A 8 7 4 A K Q A 9 Q 9 7 6 5 Q 10 8 A 10 3 Q 10 5 3 A 9 6 Q 9 6 Q J 10 9 A 7 J 10 8 6 A 10 2

WITH 2 ACES AND 1 PROTECTION.

[C] [D] [S] [H]

K J 8 7 5 J 3 A 6 A K 9 6 A 9 8 A 8 6 K J 4 3 8 5 4 A Q 7 K J 10 4 Q 5 A Q J 5 A K J 8 A Q Q 9 7 6 10 4 2 A 9 6 10 4 K 10 8 6 A J 6 2 A J 4 9 5 A 10 2 Q 10 9 6 5 A 10 8 6 5 A Q 3 8 Q J 10 4

WITH 1 ACE AND 3 PROTECTIONS.

[C] [D] [S] [H]

A 5 4 K 8 K Q 9 8 4 K Q 3 Q J 3 A 3 2 K 7 6 5 K 10 4 A 10 4 A J 10 Q J 3 K 9 8 7 Q 9 6 K J 8 A K 8 J 10 8 4 A Q 5 Q 7 4 K 9 5 3 Q 10 9

DOUBTFUL NO-TRUMPERS.

[C] [D] [S] [H]

J 9 7 3 A 10 9 4 J 5 A 9 6 10 6 A Q 5 A 10 7 2 J 10 8 3 10 5 A Q 6 4 J 8 6 A K 9 6 A J 5 3 K 8 2 8 6 K Q 7 2 9 A J 10 Q 10 8 6 4 K J 8 6 8 10 9 A K Q 9 7 6 4 K 10 4 A K Q 9 5 ---- J 10 5 3 Q 10 8 6

HEARTS, NOT "NO-TRUMPS."

[C] [D] [S] [H]

K Q 10 5 4 A K Q 2 A 5 4 3 A K Q 8 6 Q A Q 5 A K Q 4 A K J 9 K J 8 5 3 Q Q J 8 Q J 10 9 7 6 A 7 6 A A 5 3 A Q J 9 7 A J 9 8 6 K x Q A K 10 9 6 A 8 7 6 5 4 K 9 K J 10 7 2 A 8 6 Q 8 4 K 10

BAD "RED" MAKES.

[C] [D] [S] [H]

8 6 9 8 7 J 5 4 J 10 7 6 5 10 9 5 3 10 6 5 4 3 A K Q 4 Q 7 5 J 10 2 6 2 J 8 6 4 3 6 4 3 K 10 7 6 3 8 6 J 9 7 9 4 3 6 2 9 8 7 Q 10 7 5 4 Q 6 3 10 7 3 6 4 2 K Q J 7

DOUBLING

If you--being the leader or his partner--are reasonably sure of the odd trick, it is decidedly to your advantage to increase its value; but to double "just for a gamble" rarely pays; it often results in a redouble, and you are apt to find the sport expensive and your partner very disagreeable.

In order to double with any degree of success, you must consider the state of the score, the possibility of a redouble, and your position in regard to the maker. Above all things, DEPEND ON YOUR OWN HAND and don't expect your partner to take MOST of the tricks.

My advice to a beginner is: Be cautious and, until you have learned to value your hand, be satisfied with the number of points you can make without doubling.

ESTIMATING THE VALUE OF A HAND

To determine the probable trick-taking value of your hand, count each Ace and King as a trick, and add to these the number of tricks you can take in the trump suit. Queens count only as possible tricks, as the third round of a suit may be trumped.

In determining the number of tricks you can take in the trump suit you must remember that it makes a great difference on which side of you the trump strength lies. For instance, holding Ace, Queen, and ten of trumps, if you play after the maker, you will probably get three tricks; but if the maker plays after you, your trumps can be led through, and you may make but one trump trick.

If you play after the maker,

J x x x of trumps are worth 1 trick Q x x " " " " 1 " Q J x " " " " 1 " Q J x x " " " " 2 " K Q x " " " " 2 " K J x " " " " 2 " K Q 10 x " " " " 3 " A Q 10 " " " " 3 " A 10 9 7 2 " " " " 3 "

RULES FOR DOUBLING

To double spades, you should hold in your hand 4 tricks and a possible 5th.

To double hearts, diamonds, or clubs, you should hold five tricks and a possible 6th.

To double "no-trumps," you should hold 6 tricks and a possible 7th.

Be careful about doubling "no-trumps," unless you hold a long established suit. Your adversary may have seven tricks in _his_ long suit, and it is hard to discard from a "good all-round hand."

Spades may be doubled when weak in trumps; but, to double hearts, diamonds, or clubs, you should have some trump strength.

When doubling remember

That you show the dealer where the strength lies.

That you stand a better chance of winning the odd trick by not exposing your strength.

That when the "maker" is on your right, you have the advantage that your trumps are over his.

That when the "maker" is on your left you are at a disadvantage; his trumps are over yours.

That it is a good time to double when the odd trick wins the game for your adversaries, and does not win it for you.

That it is a poor time to double when the odd trick wins the game for you and does not win it for your adversaries.

That with a doubtful hand it is better to be satisfied with what you can make without doubling.

That if you double "no-trumps" your partner will lead you his best heart.

THE LEAD WHEN PARTNER HAS DOUBLED

When your partner has doubled, the opening lead must depend greatly on the scheme you adopt for the play of your hand. It is a mistake to suppose your partner wishes a trump led EVERY time he doubles. On the contrary, spades--when doubled--are seldom led by good players, unless with a strong hand, until they have gained information to justify the trump lead.

The majority of hands will be covered by the following rules:

If spades have been doubled and you hold four or more trumps you should usually lead trumps.

It is fair to assume that your partner has doubled with a good suit hand. Lead trumps if you are weak in spades, but hold a strong suit hand. Your partner has probably doubled with trump strength.

If hearts, diamonds, or clubs have been doubled and dummy is the "maker" it is usually good play to lead trumps; that is, when you have no short suit and so are unable to use your trumps for ruffing.

If possible lead to take the first trick. After you have seen the dummy you are in a position to judge as to the advisability of the trump lead.

When hearts, diamonds, or clubs have been doubled and the dealer is the maker, it is not sound play to lead trumps. You would place your partner in a bad position by leading up to the dealer's declared strength.

When leading trumps always lead the top of two or three and the lowest of four.

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. As there are very few hands where it is advisable to double "no-trump" on general strength, it is necessary for the leader to know what suit to lead when his partner has doubled.

When the leader holds an A K or an A K Q suit he should first lead the K of that suit and then his highest heart.

WEAK-SUIT CONVENTION

In England and in some parts of this country the leader tries to guess his partner's suit by leading the one in which he himself is weakest. While this convention affords many more opportunities of doubling, it is not nearly so safe as the heart convention. There is about an even chance that the weak suit led will put the dealer or the dummy hand in the lead.

THE NON-DEALER'S PLAY AGAINST A DECLARED TRUMP

The principles of play adopted against a trump and against a no-trump declaration are entirely different; and it is for this reason that Bridge is confusing to the beginner.

The important principles that govern the play against a trump declaration are:

To hold the lead in order to see the dummy hand. To make high cards before they can be trumped. To give your partner information.

The importance of first seeing the thirteen cards in the dummy is self-evident. The play of an entire hand is often influenced by the cards in the dummy; therefore, if you can win the first trick, you are in a better position on the second lead to play your own and your partner's hand to advantage.

These combinations should be selected in their order for the original lead without reference to the length of the suit.

A K Q A K

Ace from any other combination except A Q with one or two more.

K Q J K Q Q J 10

As the maker, more especially if the trump is red, has shown strength, your first consideration should be to save the game. This is best done by leading your Aces and other high cards before the dealer has a chance to discard and to trump. This is particularly true when there is an established suit in the dummy hand; for then the dealer may be able to exhaust trumps and discard his own losing cards on this established suit.

ORIGINAL LEADS AGAINST A DECLARED TRUMP

+------------------+----------------------+ | FROM | LEAD | +------------------+----------------------+ | A K Q | King, then Queen. | | A K | King. | +------------------+----------------------+ | K Q J and others | King. | | K Q | | +------------------+----------------------+ | Q J 10 | Queen. | | Q J 9 | | +------------------+----------------------+ | K J 10 | 10. | +------------------+----------------------+ | A x x x or more. | Ace, then small one. | | A J x x | " " " " | | A Q J x | Ace, then Queen. | | A Q x x x | Ace, then small one. | +------------------+----------------------+

When opposed to the dealer, aim to give your partner as much information as possible. You certainly cannot expect to gain much by deceiving the dealer--he knows what is held against him--and it is a decided advantage for your partner to know where certain cards are and to understand what you are trying to do. The best method of indicating the cards you hold is to adhere strictly to the correct lead from each combination of cards.

From all other combinations, such as

K J 7 5 2 } K 8 6 2 } Q 9 7 5 } lead the 4th best card. J 6 5 2 } 10 8 6 3 }

Don't lead low from suits headed by an Ace.

The lead of an _Ace_ followed by the _King_ shows no more of that suit.

The lead of a _King_ indicates the _Ace_, the _Queen_, or both.

With any three honours in a suit, your lead is always one of the honours.

Holding but 3 or 4 cards in any of the following suits avoid leading if possible. Wait until they are led to you.

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

If in any doubt as to your lead select your longest and strongest suit and lead the 4th best.

WHY THE 4TH BEST CARD IS LED

There are two reasons for leading the 4th best card of your long suit.

To show partner how many cards you hold in the suit.

To show partner what you have in the suit.

If you lead 4th best and afterward either discard or play a smaller one, your partner will know that you originally held more than four cards in that suit. The lead of a deuce, for instance, shows but four cards in the suit. Your partner, by applying the "Rule of Eleven," can very often tell the exact combination of cards from which you have led.

THE RULE OF ELEVEN

Deduct the size of the card led from eleven, and the difference will show how many cards HIGHER than the one led are held outside the leader's hand. If, for instance, your partner lead an eight spot, the dummy having the queen and you holding A 10 x of the suit, as you see three cards above the eight, you know the dealer cannot play higher and that your partner must have led from K J 9 8.

Q 6 2 (11 - 8 = 3) +---------+ | Y | | | 8 | A B | A 10 4 | | | Z | +---------+

This rule is especially important at "no-trump"; but players should not give it much attention unless the card originally led is higher than a five.

If your partner has had the original lead, and you have taken a trick, either make your high cards or

LEAD UP TO WEAKNESS

Weakness means no high cards, and leading up to, is making a person play fourth in hand to a trick. By leading a suit in which dummy has weak cards, you may enable your partner to win a trick cheaply. Whenever the dummy hand is on your right you should take this advantage of its weakness. It is sometimes good play to lead a card higher than the dummy's best. This, if the card you lead is not covered, gives your partner a chance to pass the trick.

EXAMPLES OF OPENING LEADS

THE CARD IN RED INDICATES THE LEAD.

(_Hearts_) TRUMP DECLARED BY DEALER.

_Holding the Lead._

+--------------+-------------+---------- [H] | [S] | [D] | [C] ---------+--------------+-------------+---------- Q 6 2 | K J 7 6 | A K Q 6 2 | 8 7 5 | A K 4 | A 9 7 5 2 | 6 4 2 5 3 2 | 9 8 6 2 | K J 6 2 | A K 8 | A Q 8 7 6 3 | K 7 6 | Q 9 8 10 4 | A 8 | A J 7 6 3 2| 9 6 2 7 5 | A Q J 10 9 2 | 5 3 | 9 7 4 Q 9 |10 7 5 | K J 9 3 | A 8 6 5 J 10 3 | A 9 6 |10 7 6 4 | J 4 3 6 4 2 | 8 7 4 | A J 8 4 | 9 6 2 9 5 4 | A 7 | K 8 7 3 | A Q 6 2 J 7 5 | 8 6 5 2 | A 10 | 9 7 4 3 =========+==============+=============+==========

_Leading from a Sequence._

+--------------+-------------+---------- 9 2 | K Q J 8 5 2| A J 7 | A 4 J 8 7 | 9 | K Q J 9 6 2 | Q 4 2 Q 8 4 | A Q 3 | A 7 3 | Q J 10 4 A J 3 | K Q J | 7 5 3 2 | K 9 7 K 9 4 | A 7 6 | K Q 7 5 | K 8 6 K 7 4 | Q J 10 |10 7 4 2 | 8 6 3 9 8 6 3 | K Q J 10 | A 9 6 2 | 5 =========+==============+=============+==========

_Leading from Long Suits._

+----------+--------------+------------ [H] | [S] | [D] | [C] ----------+----------+--------------+------------ K 5 | 10 6 2 | Q 10 9 6 5 | J 8 7 Q 7 4 | A Q 5 | 10 7 4 3 | K 10 3 9 5 | A J 2 | 9 8 6 2 | K 10 7 4 8 3 2 | Q 8 7 4 | 9 6 2 | 10 6 3 J 7 6 5 | 8 | A 4 2 | K 10 6 5 3 A J 8 6 | J 4 | 10 9 7 6 2 | 3 2 J 10 | A J 6 | A Q 7 5 | Q J 4 2 4 2 | K 8 4 | K J 10 7 5 | A J 3 K 6 | 7 5 2 | 9 8 4 | Q J 9 6 2 Q 10 7 6 | J 9 4 | A 5 | K 10 8 4 ==========+==========+==============+============

_Leading from Short Suits._

+----------+-------------+----------- 9 4 3 | A J 9 4 | 10 9 | A Q 8 6 J 4 2 | Q 7 4 | K 8 7 6 5 | J 9 9 6 4 | 10 6 4 2 | A 4 3 | Q J 5 A 9 5 | 8 6 | 10 6 4 3 | J 9 5 2 7 4 3 2 | 8 | 9 7 6 4 2 | Q 6 3 A Q 2 | K J 7 4 | J 10 | K 9 6 3 K 5 3 | J 10 4 | K 9 7 | Q 7 6 3 9 8 6 | A Q 9 8 | 10 | J 9 5 3 2 Q 7 4 | A J 9 6 | K Q | K J 7 3 A 6 2 | Q | K 8 6 4 3 | J 9 4 2 ==========+==========+=============+===========

(_Hearts_) TRUMP "PASSED MAKE."

+-----------+------------+----------- J 10 | K 9 8 6 | A Q 7 | K 6 4 2 8 5 2 | A Q 7 3 | K J 6 | A J 8 4 3 | K 9 4 2 | Q 10 7 6 | J 9 4 J 4 2 | 10 6 | Q 10 9 4 2| Q 8 3 Q 6 | Q 7 4 3 | K Q 10 | 8 6 4 2 Q | K 8 5 2 | Q 8 3 | A Q 5 4 3 Q 6 2 | A 5 | K 10 7 5 2| 9 7 4 9 4 3 | A Q 7 6 5| J 9 | K 8 6 K 8 5 | K 9 7 4 | Q J | K 9 4 3 8 7 | Q 6 3 | K J 9 3 | A 8 6 5 9 8 | A Q 6 3 2| Q J 6 2 | K 7 ==========+===========+============+===========

AFTER THE FIRST TRICK

After you have led and have won the first trick, examine the exposed hand carefully; then either continue with the suit led originally or lead through strength.

LEADING THROUGH STRENGTH

The beginner will appreciate the fact that strength in a suit consists of high cards, but is apt to find the term "leading through" difficult to understand. Leading through means to make a person play second in hand to the trick. You always lead through your left-hand adversary.

The object of leading through strength is to help your partner make his high cards by giving him the advantage of playing after the exposed hand.

Holding a sequence of two or more cards, headed by a Queen, Jack, or Ten, when there is an honour in the dummy it is good play to lead the highest card. If the dummy does not cover this lead, it gives your partner an opportunity to pass the trick.

Holding one or two high cards of dummy's strong suit that are _not_ in sequence, avoid leading the suit. Wait until dummy leads to you.

Don't lead through strength when dummy holds a sequence of three or more cards, as

A K Q K Q J Q J 10

Holding a high card or cards in a suit in which the dummy is weak, avoid leading that suit. Try to put your partner in the lead, so that he may lead it to you.

Holding no high cards in the suit, the following combinations should be led through:

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

Holding a sequence of two or more cards the following combinations should be led through:

K x x K x Q x x

FORCING

Judicious forcing will do more than anything else to break up a strong trump hand.

Forcing means making a player trump--the object being to weaken his hand.

It is good play to force the strong trump hand.

When the strong trump hand holds no more cards of your long suit, do all damage possible with it. Unless trumps are out, the suit is of no other use to you.

It is bad play to force the weak trump hand. Unless you can make the strong hand trump it is better to stop leading the suit.

Do not lead a suit that will allow the weak hand to trump and the other hand to discard; the adversaries take the trick and get rid of a losing card.

It is too late to force when the dummy has an established suit and the dealer has the last trump or trumps. Make what you can before giving up the lead.

When the weak hand can ruff your suit, it is sometimes good play to lead trumps; but only when, in doing so, you are leading trumps through the strong hand, and when you have some protection in the other suits.

SHORT SUITS

There are two lines of play that may be followed to make tricks against the dealer. The first--to make your high cards--has been explained. The second is to make your small trumps by ruffing.

When you have no high card lead, or if you are anxious to be led up to, it is often good play to throw the lead and, at the same time, to try to make your small trumps. This can be done by leading a short suit.

A short suit is a suit of less than four cards; but the term is commonly used to denote a singleton or a two-card suit.

In order that your partner may understand that you are leading a short suit (and not the fourth best card of a long one) it is customary to lead the highest card. (If you are forced to open a suit with K J x, K x x or Q x x, the low card should be led.)

To detect a short suit apply the "Rule of Eleven." If there are (in your hand and the dummy) more higher cards than the rule allows, the lead cannot be the fourth-best card.

Under the following circumstances a short suit should not be led.

If you hold four trumps, including any one honour, don't lead a short suit. Your best play is to open your long suit and force the dealer to trump. In this way you weaken the dealer's hand and you may prevent his bringing in his long suit or you may even establish and make your own.

If the make has been passed, don't lead a short black suit. It is natural to suppose that the dealer is strong in black suits--if in any--and you would be leading up to declared strength.

If you can take the first trick, do so and then judge of the advisability of the short-suit lead.

THE DISCARD

There is considerable discussion and a wide diversity of opinion among Bridge Players as to the best suit to throw away. You should, therefore, before playing, ask your partner which method he adopts. Some advantage may be claimed for each theory of discard; but the main object of them all is the same--to indicate to partner the suit you wish led and at the same time protect any honours you may hold in other suits.

The three different discards used by Bridge Players are:

Strength, both with a trump and at "no-trump." Strength, with a trump and weakness at "no-trump." Weakness, both with a trump and at "no-trump."

The discard of strength with a trump and weakness at "no-trump" is the one most commonly used. This discard of weakness at "no-trump," while it has the advantage of saving all the cards of the long suit, which you may make, has also several disadvantages.

To show your suit absolutely you need two discards.

In order not to deceive your partner it may be necessary to unguard honours, such as J x x x, 10 x x x, Q x x, or even K x.

By discarding weakness you show the dealer against which hand to finesse.

The writer, after the analysis of many thousand hands, believes that at "no-trump" the first discard from strength, _i.e._, the long suit or the suit you wish partner to lead, is the safest and best, both for protecting the hand and for showing the suit beyond possibility of mistake.

The main advantages of the strength discard are:

It takes but one discard positively to show the suit wanted.

You can protect the high cards in your weaker suits without deceiving your partner.

It does not show the dealer so clearly on which side to take a finesse.

By showing your suit earlier in the hand, you enable your partner to discard to better advantage.

There are but few "no-trump" hands in which it is possible to make all the small cards of one's suit against the dealer--unless it be the suit first opened. Occasionally the suit in which the dealer is weak in both hands will be made; but more often this suit is never brought in, because the adversaries do not know the cards they hold in the two hands.

For years whist authorities have agreed that with trump strength declared against you the first discard should be from strength. Why, then, when strength in all of the suits has been declared, should not the strength discard be the best defensive discard for the majority of bridge hands? In order not to lose an opportunity of making all of the long suit, players will continually unguard cards in the weak suits which, if properly protected, would win tricks; and when using the weak suit discard these cards _must_ be unguarded in order to show partner your suit.