In contract bridge, if I think the opposing team is lacking in hearts, should I bid hearts as the trump?

Answer 1

You need to bid your longest suit.

To start with; you need to count the points in your hand.

ace = 4 points
king = 3
queen = 2
jack = 1

Now that you know your HCP (High Card points), you need to consider your DP (Distribution Points)

There are two ways to look at DPs.

1. Audrey Grantm and others recommends adding dummy points when your partner has bid.

Void = 3 points
Singleton = 2 points
Doubleton = 1 point

2. Edgar Kaplan. Max Hardy, eand others has you add a point for the fifth card in a suit,, and another point for the 6th card , 7th card in he suit.

I really don't like the dummy points as proposed ny Audrey Grant; because that is a plan for disaster.

1. If your partner changed to bidding No Tump; your short suits are a liability.

2. If you add these dummy points you better have quite a few trumps (4 or 5) at least. The reason is because the person playing the two hands (his and the dummy) should lead trumps until the opponents have mo trumps left, and your partner may have to use all of your trumps to get the opponents out of trumps, After this; you won't have any trumps to trump those short suits.

If you want to learn how to play Bridgel i can recommend two books.

"Winning Contract Bridge: Edgar Kaplan.

This is the system I use, and I have only been playing Bridge for two years. and I have brought the money home more than 40 times since May. I just LOVE to turn the people who follow Audrey Grant inside out.

"Standard Bridge Bidding: For The 21st Century" Max Hardy.