D27 THE LAW OF TOTAL TRICKS

1. Introduction

How high should we compete against the opponents bids in the auction? You might think that there is no general answer to such a difficult question saying that 'it all depends' on the hand in question. Well not exactly, since modern bidding theory has come up with a remarkably simple guide-line.

2. The law of Total Tricks.

In a competitive auction, each side has a preferred trump suit, for example we are bidding clubs and they are bidding, say, spades. What you do is to try to add the total number of clubs we have between us to the total number of spades they probably have. The 'law' then says that the addition is the total number of 'notional' tricks available on the hand. So if we have a 9 card club fit and they have a 9 card spade fit, there are a 'total' of 18 tricks available. This actually means tricks for our side if we play in clubs and tricks for their side if they play in spades, the total adding up to 18. What you then can do is to say that if their side can make 3 spades (9 tricks), then we can also make 3§ (9tricks), the total adding up to 18.

You might now say 'so what' ? Well, the most important adjunct of the law is;

YOU SHOULD USUALLY COMPETE TO THE LEVEL EQUAL TO THE COMBINED NUMBER OF TRUMPS HELD BY YOUR SIDE.

How does this work? Say we have 10 clubs. Opposition have 23 cards which are not clubs, so, mathematically, they must have at least an 8 card fit in some suit. This gives 18 'Total Tricks'. So if we bid to the 4 level and go one off (9 tricks), they could have made their three level contract (9 tricks) and we have made a profitable sacrifice, particularly at pairs. If you only made 6 tricks, (4 off) then you have sacrificed against an opponents slam! (12 tricks). You do have to be a bit more careful vulnerable against not vulnerable. When not vulnerable, however, or even at game all, follow the law to the letter.

3. Raising Partner's Suit

After Partner has made a suit overcall and you have good trump support, show it immediately. You do need to differentiate, however, between a preemptive raise with a poor hand where you are simply following the law and a good hand with sufficient points where you actually expect to make your contract.

;a) With a poor hand, just support the suit to the level of the trump fit immediately to steal their bidding space and make them guess at a high level.

;b) With a better hand where you actually expect to make your contract, cue bid your opponents suit at the level at which you wish to play. This convention is called the 'Unassuming Cue Bid' or UCB and says, 'partner, I can support your suit, I have sufficient points, and I expect we will make a contract in your suit at this level'

For example; You are North, not vulnerable, they are vulnerable and the bidding has gone;

on both hands you have at least a 9 card fit. On hand a) you bid 3ª preemptively. On hand b) however, you want to bid 3ª expecting the contract to make and invite partner to bid 4ª if he is maximum. Bid 3©, the UCB showing a constructive raise to 3ª.