Lesson Bridge Base

Approximating Partner Loser

From the way offer, we will only get information hold of Partner in the form of point, and non amount of loser which he has if it does, how to know and count loser of hold of Partner? If Partner Opening, we can sure he is at most holding 7 losers. When Partner Opening strong, amount of loser can be estimated 5 losers, Let us estimate Partner loser of HCP which he promise.

                 HCP Partner           Amount Loser

                7-9 point                9 losers

              10-12 point              8 losers

              13-15 point              7 losers

              16-18 point              6 losers

              19-21 point           4/5 losers

              22 up point              3 losers

Estimate of partner loser from the way bidding.

Partner           You

          1♦                1♠

          2♠…..

Partner hold minimum of opening bid, become he hold 7 loser.

Partner           You

1♦                  1♠

3♠…

Partners hold maximum point, estimated to hold 6 losers.

Partner           You

1♦                  1♠

4♠….

Partners hold maximum point with good distribution, possibility 5 loser.

When Rully calculate loser holed by Opener = 5 loser, added 7 loser which he have = 12 loser, so that 24 - 12 = 12 trick.

Try to count loser if partner if :

a.  Opening 1NT Strong

b.  Take Out Double

c.  Limit Raise

d.  Jump rebid, 1♦ – 1♠ – 3♦

Response:

a.    6 losers, better the than opening

b.    7 losers, opening hands

c.    8 losers, 10-11 point

d.    6 losers.

Card distribution in West :

♠ AQ876       West        Responder

♥ 3               1♠               2♠

♦ -                                 ???

♣ AQJ98                 

Hold of You 5 loser (1 Spade, 2 Heart, 1 Diamond, and 1 Club). While partner hold 6-9 point by 9 losers. Become totally LTC is : 5+9 = 14. Totalizing trick; 24-14 = 10 trick. Become bid 4♠.

♠ AQ876        West          Responder

♥ 973             1♠                3♥*

♦ 2                ???

♣ AQJ 

*3♥ = Bergen raise, 4 cards support ♠, 10-12 point.

You hold 7 losers, partner 8 loser. Become totally loser is : 7 + 8 = 15 loser. Total trick : 24 - 15 = 9 trick. Become us enough bid 3♠, refusing invitation of Partner for the bid of game.

♠ A10876            West         Responder

♥ 9                      1♠               ???

♦ 32                                

♣ AK963

Partners hold at most 7 losers (Hands Opening). While you hold 5 loser (support 5 card suit of trump, loser can lessen one. Becoming 2 loser ♠ become 1 loser, that is 1 loser ♠, 1 loser ♥, and 3 losers in Minor suit). 24 - 12 = 12 trick, thereby offer of Slam have before very eyes.

The above is true Lesson of bridge base which studying about elementary principle of Loser Trick Count. Next article will be studied by how “tuning fine" this method. But there are some matters which need to be paid attention, that LTC not one hundred real correct percent, real correct LTC oftentimes but not always. If trump divided is normal, hence LTC of correctness. If thrice in finesse fail, hence LTC also fail. Equally LTC can be pledged at most case, but not hold of extreme. Useful hopefully

Previous article: Loser Trick Count 1

Translated from Magazine Bridge Indonesia, Loser Trick Count, by: Ir. Iskandar, 9/06