For beginners, improvers and for many of us
who have been playing for longer than we care to remember, working out who’s got how many cards in each
suit and who’s got
how many points is one of the hardest parts of bridge play, whether as Declarer or Defender.
This is just about the points.
There are many excellent but complex writings on this subject but here I will try to suggest
just a basic approach.
As Declarer first ask yourself whether the opposition bid at all. If they did this is often a
good clue as to where certain cards are.
Suppose LHO has opened a 12-14 No trump and you finish up in Two spades. Between your hand and
Dummy you have 20 points.
LHO as 12-14 leaving 6-8 for RHO.
As soon as the play starts count the points used up by LHO and you will begin to get some idea
of where the outstanding cards are.
In a similar vein suppose you are in exactly the same situation but neither opponent has bid.
Was either first bidder? If so then you can be fairly certain that the remaining points
are split 10-10, 11-9 and very occasionally 12-8.
In clues From The Opening Lead there is a section which reads as follows:
Another fairly simple example but one that shows that sometimes you can take away the “hit and hope“
element of the play is:
As South you are in 2 ♥. West passed. North opened 1NT and you made
a weak takeout into 2 ♥
West leads AK and another Club which you ruff in hand
The full hand is
North ♠Axx AQxx ♦Jxx ♣Jxxxx
South ♠Jx ♥ J10xxx ♦Kxxx ♣Qx
You take the Heart finesse which is successful. You can’t avoid a Spade loser so the problem is
the Diamonds
If the A ♦ was
in West’s hand he surely would have opened the bidding so take out the trumps finishing in dummy and
lead a small Diamond boldly playing the King if East plays small.
The odds are 98% certain.
This is just an example of how counting the points can give you more
success.
As a Defender you can often do similar calculations. LHO opens 1 NoTrump, 12-14 and plays there.
Half way through the play you gain the lead.
Declarer has played 12 points from his hand. You have ♥K4.
Dummy has three small.
Hearts have not been played. Switch to the King with confidence.
Declarer can have Queen at most and Partner the rest
Practice thinking about what the other hands might have like this and you’ll find you can become a much better player of the cards in all situations.