Declarer Play Exercise #12 - 6 Hearts

This post talks about counting losers in a trump contract. If you want some practice on doing that please read this post first:
Counting Losers

The reason why bridge players count losers in a trump contract is to determine whether or not Declarer has enough losers that they will not be able to make their contract. If Declarer has too many losers to make their contract they have to figure out a way to get rid of some of their losers! If Declarer has losers but will still make their contract they try to figure out if they can avoid some of their losers without jeopardizing their contract. Bridge players are a bit greedy in that sense.

To avoid some losers you might have to try a finesse. If you are not sure what a finesse is try these posts:
The Finesse
More Finessing
Eight Ever, Nine Never

This post also talks about playing high cards from the short side. If you are not sure what this means check out this post:
Declarer Play - High Cards from the Short Side

If you want to see me walk through a few hands with you check out these posts:
Counting Losers in Action -- 4 Spades
Counting Losers in Action – 3 Spades

This post is designed to test your declarer play in a trump contract. Count your losers and determine how you will play the contract. For example you could say "I have 4 losers and I will try the ♣ finesse to try to get rid of my ♣ loser!" Or you could say "I have 3 losers and no way to get rid of any of them!"

So let's practice. The final contract is 6♥. The lead is the K♦. Count the losers in the ♠ suit. Count the losers in the ♥ suit. Count the losers in the ♦ suit. Count the losers in the ♣ suit. Do you have too many losers? If yes, can you get rid of any so you can make your contract? If no, can you try to get rid of any?

This was a real hand played by real novices in a real game. Only one person took ALL the tricks like they should. Let's see how you do at home without the pressure of a real game.

Try playing out the contract at home. Deal out the cards and play as normal. Write down all the steps you did in order.

Contract: 6♥ Opening lead: K♦.

Dummy:
♠Q3
♥AQ83
♦5
♣AKJT62

Declarer:
♠AT982
♥KT72
♦A9
♣Q5

Before reading any further write down how you would play this hand.

Now I will walk you through it. I can count losers in either hand so for this hand I will count the losers in my hand. I could choose Dummy because of that FABULOUS ♣ suit but it is easier to explain how to take ALL the tricks by looking at Declarer's hand!

Count the losers in Declarer's Hand:



So this is not looking so good. I have FIVE losers not including any potential trump losers. How do I get rid of them?

What is your plan to get rid of the losers?



As long as the trump suit breaks you should not have any losers. But what happens if the trump suit doesn't break? This was a real life hand and the trump suit didn't break very well in real life. One Opponent held four trump to the J9. But it was actually the Opponent that Declarer WANTS to hold four to the J9. So that was good. Which Opponent would that be?

If one Opponent holds four trump to the J9 you will lose a trump trick. If the other Opponent holds four trump to the J9 you will NOT have to lose a trump trick. Which Opponent is which? As Declarer do you want your RIGHT HAND Opponent to hold four trump to the J9 or your LEFT HAND Opponent to hold four to the J9.

I know, you don't want either of them to hold four trump. But that wasn't a choice. RHO or LHO. You choose.

If it helps, take a deck of cards and ONLY give the Heart suit to everyone. You know what you have as Declarer. You know what Dummy has. Give one Opponent (either one) four Hearts to the J9. Can you pick up that suit for no losers? Now give the other Opponent four Hearts to the J9. Can you pick up that suit for no losers? You should be able to choose correctly if you do that.



How will you play the hand now?