The Washington times., 1932-07-26
Contract
Bridge
By E. V. Shepard
Measures Of Values

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players to guess with reasonable
accuracy what hands are worth
in probable tricks. The great
majority of players must have
definite means of valuing hold
ings. 1t took nearly 20 years
to devise the method Of valu-
ing hands given here. Those
who have tried this method
agree that my method is the
most simple one ever suggested.
Also it is remarkably accurate.
The declarer and dummy
constitute the declaring, or of.
fensive, side. Their adversaries
form the defensive side, or de-
tenders, endeavoring to save
game or to defeat contract.
At no-trumps both sides count
high card values and low card
values alike. At trump decla.
rationS the declaring side has
control Of trumps, refraining
from pulling trumps when
either declarer or dummy wishes
to trump a short suit, and pull.
ing trumps when the declaring
side wants to prevent the de-
tenders from trumping long
suits held by declarer or dunn.
my. The advantage of con-
trolling trumps enables the de-
clarlng side to count high
card values and low card values
as they do at no-trumps. Lack
ing control of trumps, the de-
lenders are robbed of their low
card values, and they must
count only such high card
values as can be won before
either declarer or dummy can
trump. Very appropriately, such
values are called quick tricks"
Quick Tricks
An. average deal distributes
only 712 quick tricks among the
Tour players. Modern custom
prescribes minimum of 2h
quick tricks to open the bid.
ding as dealer or as second
hand. If strong in both major
suits no increased quick trick
values are needed to open bid.
ding as third or fourth hand.
If strong in only one major
suit, you should hold not less
than three quick tricks to open
the bidding as third hand or
fourth hand. If weak in both
major suits, do not open the
bidding in either of those two
positions unless 312 quick tricks
are held.
The only genuine quick trick
values are as follows: AK of
same suit, two quick tricks;
40, 112; Ace or K-Q of one
suit. one quick trick; XXX *.
guarded by at least one small
card), Y quick trick.
1t seldom serves any useful
purpose to open the bidding on
a hand like the following:
AAKQ96. 1873, &J92, u64
The hand contains only two
quick tricks, without excuse
for showing a hand Of about
average declaring strength.
Such a hand should, however,
be bid 1-Spade over declara-
ton of a lower suit, or upon a
second round of bidding, if it
appears worth while to do so.
Because two biddable suits
are held, although only two
quick tricks appear it is per-
missable to bid the next hand,
either as dealer or in second
position.
AAK964, VQJS72, rs. H63.
Having a single long suit,
probably worth game, and
worth not more than one de-
fensive trick against any other
declaration, you must open bid
ding on the next hand, with f.
Spades, trusting your partner
for the customary two tricks.
AAKQJes74 %s2. 163
Suppose that you are
doubled, even when you are
vulnerable and go down two
tricks. 1t is one of the legiti-
mate risks of the game. 1t is
probable that the other side
have game-going strength If
YOUR partner holds no high
honors.
CCopyright. 1882. King Features