Advanced Bridge; The Higher Principles of the Game Analysed and Explained

THE DECLARATION

The advantage of the deal is enormous, and it is important to utilise it properly to make the largest possible score with the least possible risk. The make shows the great increase in percentage of the good player over the poor one. More rubbers are lost by bad makes than by bad play. The cautious man who passes “no-trumpers” will lose many games by his extreme carefulness. The reckless man loses even more by declaring “no-trump” when his partner must have a “no-trumper” to pull him through. As the element of luck has a potent influence on the result of a make, a sound declaration based on the merits of the hand may be unsuccessful. No one can select the winning trump every time, and an occasional loss must be borne with equanimity for the sake of the many successes; the make that will win with average strength in the dummy hand will pay in the long run. Do not hope for too much, or expect too little assistance from your partner; give him credit for no more and no less than the average hand. If you question yourself—what will my partner probably make it if I pass?—you will find it a great help in determining the declaration. He will usually make it your weak suit, and it follows that you may depend on him for protection in that suit.

A sound make may necessitate the sacrifice of the possibility of a large score for the sake of positively winning the game. The chance for the game takes precedence of all other considerations.

As Bridge is played for points, a fair amount of regard is also due the honour score. A declaration that is apt to give honours to the adversaries is a costly method of winning the game.

It is difficult for the beginner to understand the reason for certain formulated rules for the makes, but it will pay the average novice to accept the judgment of those who have learned by, often bitter, experience. Sound makes will win in the long run, and the rules should not be scorned merely because in a few hands the cards were badly placed.

“NO-TRUMP” DECLARATION BY THE DEALER

While a good red declaration is always preferable to a doubtful “no-trumper,” yet when a bold dash for the game must be made, a forward “no-trump” declaration is the safest risk; and experience certainly shows that what is called a doubtful “no-trumper” will succeed more often than it fails. Such a declaration has a great advantage over a light red make. There is a wider range for assistance in the dummy hand. The make does not disclose the dealer’s principal strength. It offers the adversaries a larger scope for errors, and an error is more costly in a “no-trump” hand. The opponents have no means of knowing their combined strength, and for this reason their best suit may never be made; while the dealer knows the suit to establish and can arrange the lead to bring it in. In short, the dealer can utilise his strength and the adversaries’ drawbacks to the best advantage in a “no-trump” hand. As a logical consequence, a strong player may take more chances in the make.

Your goal is the game, and at a love score, this can be reached with fewest tricks at a “no-trump” declaration. Therefore, lacking a good red hand, a “no-trump” declaration that with average strength in your partner’s hand will secure the odd trick, will more often win than lose.

What constitutes an average hand, and how much help should you expect from your partner, are frequent inquiries. As the trick-taking value of a hand may depend entirely on the distribution of the remaining cards, these questions are difficult to answer. An average hand, however, contains the equivalent of one ace, one king, one queen, etc.

An established suit that can be made before the adversaries obtain the lead the second time is always a great advantage.

A “no-trump” make that is not protected in three suits is dangerous, but, even if you are entirely void of a suit with real strength in the other three, you can reasonably expect your partner to supply protection in the missing suit. Aces are an important help in establishing your suits, and are much greater strength than kings or queens, which may be led through and captured. A no-trump make without an ace is liable to score honours for the adversaries—in rare cases 100 points—and is almost never sound.

RULES FOR “NO-TRUMP” DECLARATION BY THE DEALER

There should be a certain set standard for a “no-trump” make, but at times it is difficult to draw the line that divides the hands that should be passed from those that warrant a “no-trump” declaration. It is obvious that a good player will make more with a hand than a poor one; consequently a greater risk may be taken by players who thoroughly understand the finesse and strategy of the game. The make which would prove successful if played correctly, if badly played might be disastrous. Then again your adversaries must be regarded; if pitted against weak players, you are more apt to pull a “no-trumper” through than when matched against opponents who will take advantage of any failing in your hand or play.

	-	4	Aces.
Declare		3	Aces.
“No-trumps”		2	Aces and one other guarded suit.
holding		1	Ace and three other guarded suits.
		1	long established black suit (A K Q x x x)
			and one other Ace.

“NO-TRUMP” WITH THREE ACES

Unless you hold a strong heart hand, or, unless the game can be won with a trump declaration, three aces should usually be considered an obligatory “no-trumper.” No doubt a three-ace hand containing no other honour, is a weak one with which to make the strongest declaration; but experience demonstrates that if your partner holds an average hand or any one long suit, loss seldom occurs. When the make does lose, the points secured above the line usually compensate for the loss sustained in trick points, and if the rule is consistently followed, the total gain will be many times greater than the aggregate loss.

“NO-TRUMP” WITH TWO ACES AND ONE OTHER GUARDED SUIT

At a love score, if the ace suits contain additional honours, “no-trumps” should always be declared with two aces and a guarded honour in another suit. This is particularly true if the aces are red; if you hold the two red aces, it is doubtful if your partner could declare any other than a black make. A long suit, particularly one that can be easily established, is additional strength; and jacks, tens and nines are an important assistance to a two-ace “no-trump” declaration.

If all the remaining cards in the ace suits are small, and if the protection in the third suit is doubtful, “no-trumps” can scarcely be considered a safe declaration. A guarded honour or a protected suit is supposed to imply a certain trick; but a king once guarded or a queen twice guarded may be led through and captured.

Guarded suits are:

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

The value of these suits is greater or less according to the size of the top honour, the number of cards in sequence, and the length of the suit.

An ace suit may contain:

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

But the value of the ace suit diminishes according to the decreased value of the next card. A single ace is of little use in blocking the adversaries’ suit, and it may often block the long suit in dummy.

“NO-TRUMP” WITH TWO ACES

A “no-trump” declaration that is unguarded in two suits, is always dangerous; while you can rely on your partner to protect one suit, it is a bit sanguine to expect him to hold guards in two. However, a hand containing a long established suit, headed by ace, king, queen, and another ace, wins at “no-trump” many more times than it loses, and the make must, therefore, be classed as sound. If you hold two suits headed by ace king, and particularly if these suits are red, a “no-trump” declaration is preferable to passing; but with less strength, the make should not be attempted except at an adverse score.

“NO-TRUMP” WITH ONE ACE

With one ace and general protection in all the suits, “no-trump” should be declared. Of course, the adversaries may secure the honour score, and it is probable that such a hand will contain no long suit; but any good suit in your partner’s hand will ensure the safety of the make.

With one ace and but two other protected suits, “no-trumps” should not be declared unless the guarded suits include at least two honours. “No-trump” declarations with one ace and a single honour in each of two other suits are often made to the score, but a venture of this kind is dangerous and is more apt to lose than to win.

A six or seven card suit headed by ace, king, and queen, with a guarded king in another suit, will usually succeed as a “no-trumper.”

“NO-TRUMP” WITHOUT AN ACE

A “no-trump” make without an ace is almost never sound. There are, no doubt, extreme cases where, with a king and queen in each suit, this make may be justifiable; but the honour score obtained by the adversaries will usually far exceed the trick points secured by the dealer.

EXAMPLES OF NO-TRUMP MAKES

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

HEARTS

The advisability of a heart make is contingent on the length and strength of the heart suit, as well as on the probable trick-taking value of the hand. However, as the honour score must also be regarded, hearts should be declared with four honours irrespective of the strength of the other suits; the honour score will usually more than compensate for any possible loss in trick points.

Declare hearts with but four cards, including three high honours, provided you hold another long suit or two outside tricks; results show conclusively that this make is sound.

Hearts should be declared with five hearts, including two honours and at least one outside trick. Without this extra trick a five-heart declaration with two honours—unless they are ace and king—is unsafe.

Hearts should be declared with six trumps, including one honour; but, with fewer than six trumps, a one honour make is doubtful. Occasionally it may not be advisable to pass five hearts with one honour—holding, say, five hearts and four diamonds; your partner’s make would probably be black.

In considering such a declaration, the value of a long side suit that either is, or can be easily established, must not be overlooked. The strength of a five-card trump hand with a long suit and a re-entry card, is apparent to those who have had Whist experience. It requires but one trump honour from your partner to make this a winning hand, and unless the remaining cards are very unfortunately placed, it is difficult to defeat the make.

With a good side suit, do not hesitate to declare hearts with five, including an honour. Even a four-card side suit is usually a help. It is when the hand is divided 5, 3, 3, 2, that you are apt to lose by being forced to follow suit. Therefore a short suit is a help to a five-trump hand; to be sure, it may at times enable the adversaries to force you, but as you can always prevent the adversaries’ high cards in that suit from making, a short suit is a greater benefit than detriment.

RULES FOR THE HEART MAKE

Generally declare a red make holding six cards with one honour, five cards with two honours, or four with three honours. Some makes may be attempted with or without outside strength, while others require a certain amount of strength in side suits. The value of a long suit and the importance of inferring the probable passed make, has been mentioned.

Below are given various combinations of honours showing the strength required for a red make. Only general rules are cited and the particular value of the hand must be left to the individual judgment. In these examples, the score has not been considered.

FIVE HEARTS INCLUDING THREE HONOURS

A K Q	-
A K J
A K 10
A Q J		With or without other tricks.
K Q J
A J 10
K Q 10
K J 10	-	With one outside trick.
Q J 10	-	With one outside trick.

FIVE HEARTS INCLUDING TWO HONOURS

A K		With or without an outside trick.
	-
A Q
K Q
A J		With one outside trick.
K J
A 10
K 10	-
Q 10		With a four or five card plain suit,
J 10		or two outside tricks.

FIVE HEARTS WITH ONE HONOUR

	-	With any good four or five card plain suit, when partner will probably declare black, or with two or three outside tricks. With an established black suit, especially when void in one suit, or with two or three outside tricks.
A
K
Q
J
10

FOUR HEARTS WITH THREE HONOURS

A K Q	-
A K J		With any good suit, with an outside ace,
A K 10		or with two or more outside tricks.
K Q J

EXAMPLES OF HANDS THAT SHOULD NOT BE PASSED

A number of hands are given below to illustrate the value of a long suit. If your partner holds an average hand the long suit can usually be made.

?	?	?	?
J 10 8 6 4	7 5	A K 5 3 2	8
10 9 8 7 5	None	K Q J 7 6 3	K 7
K J 8 6 4	6	8 3	K 10 8 7 4
A 9 7 6 4	K 8 6 5 3	4 2	6
J 9 8 7 4	6	A	K Q 10 8 7 6
K 9 8 6 5	4	A Q J 6 3	3 2
Q 9 7 6 3	None	K J 10 7 5	A 10 4
A 9 8 5 3	K 7	6	K Q J 9 6
10 9 8 6 5	None	Q J 9	A K Q 7 5

HEARTS IN PREFERENCE TO “NO-TRUMP”

There are many players who delight in declaring “no-trumps,” overlooking the fact that they may hold a suit declaration that would be certain to win the game without the risk attending a “no-trump” make.

Although one more trick is necessary at hearts, the chances are that if the game can be won at “no-trump,” it will be won with equal facility at hearts. The adversaries may hold an established suit or may establish and make a suit at “no-trump” which it would be impossible for them to bring in with a trump declaration. There is no rule so universally followed among the better players as that of declaring hearts in preference to “no-trump.”

HEARTS, NOT “NO-TRUMPS”

?	?	?	?
A Q J 9 5	A 6 4	A 7 5	7 3
K Q J 9 6 3	A 7 5 3	A	8 4
A K Q 9 8	A Q 7	A K Q J	4
A K Q 9	A 8 4	5	J 10 8 6 3
A K Q 9	7	Q 1O 5	K J 8 5 3
K Q J 9 7	A	A 5	K J 9 8 7
A K Q 9 8	K Q 7	A Q 5 3 2	None

DIAMONDS

As there are two declarations of greater value, it is often advisable to pass a fair diamond make to your partner in the hope that he may be able to make it a “no-trumps” or hearts. There is no declaration more universally disliked than diamonds. It is frequently spoken of as the “deadly” or “unlucky” diamond make. Players seem to be continually making or not making it at the wrong time. Often an original diamond declaration will find your partner with a game hand at “no-trumps” or hearts; again, when the make is passed and your partner declares spades, you make eternal vows never to pass a diamond hand.

The diamond is essentially a score make, and should be attempted at a score which admits of a reasonable chance to win the game. With a love score it requires a very strong hand to win the game; eleven of the thirteen tricks must be won. When the adversaries are 24 to your nothing either on the first or on the rubber game, it is most important that you win the game before it becomes the turn of the adversary to deal. Winning three or four odd tricks will be of little use, as in all probability the adversaries will make the number of points requisite to go out on their own deal. At this score, it is usually better to pass a fair diamond hand in the hope that your partner can make a stronger declaration.

If at least 24 points are necessary to win the game and there is a question between a diamond and a “no-trump” make, the preference should be given to the “no-trump” declaration. Each trick at “no-trump” is worth just twice as much as at diamonds, and if it is possible to win four or five odd tricks with diamonds, you will have no difficulty in making the fewer number required at “no-trump.”

In considering the advisability of a diamond make, infer from your hand your partner’s probable declaration. If you hold no ace, there is a fair chance that he will declare “no-trump.” If you hold but one or two hearts, you are likely to get a heart declaration; an honour included in these hearts would support the supposed make. If you hold length in the heart suit, say five diamonds and four hearts, there is small hope for a red declaration by your partner; at this time, and when your hand contains cards that preclude the possibility of a “no-trumper,” the make should not be passed.

Occasionally diamonds should be declared as a safety make, with a hand that affords little help to a “no-trump” or a heart declaration. Take the following hand:

?	?	?	?
J 10 7 5 3 2	8	J 7 5 3	6 4

Should the hand be passed, partner will either declare hearts or “no-trump.” Unless he holds great strength or the cards are very fortunately placed, you must lose, and not only that, your partner’s make is also very apt to be doubled. If your partner holds a strong hand the diamond declaration may win the game; at any rate it will sufficiently increase your score to facilitate winning on your next deal. As a matter of fact, this hand was held and the make was passed. The dummy held the following hand:

?	?	?	?
K 6	A K 10 6 2	K 9	Q J 9 5

Hearts were declared, the adversary doubled, and the dealer lost three by cards. While in this hand the remaining cards were unfortunately placed for the dealer, still it shows that a strong make may be defeated when you can lend it no support.

The general rules given for the heart makes may be applied to the diamond declaration.

CLUBS

An original club should be made only when the score is 18 or more, and the hand strong enough, with slight assistance, to win the game. As there are three declarations of greater value than either clubs or spades, unless there is a reasonable chance to win the game, black makes should not be considered. Your partner may be able to make a red or a “no-trump” declaration, and, failing these, his defensive black declaration may suit your hand. There are unpleasant occasions when you hold a strong club hand and your partner declares spades. When the make has been doubled and you have little strength to support it, you are very apt to regret that you did not make an original club. While this may be true of an occasional hand, don’t forget the many times your partner can give you a heart or a “no-trump” make which will enable you to win the game.

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.

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