Losint Trick Count Q & A

Here's an email I received this week about using Losing Trick Count.

Hi Jennifer,

Question on how the bidding should have gone with a 1,5,6,1 distribution please.

N: S K84, H QJ3, D J2, C J976         7LTC, 12 pts

S: S 97652, H K5, D K53, C 643      9LTC, 6 pts

E: S AQJ3, H 862, D AJ, C AT98      7LTC, 16 pts

W: S T, H AT974, D QT9842, C 7   6LTC, 6pts

I was West and with a 6 losing trick count opened 1H. Right, Wrong?

Bidding: P – 1H – P – 1S; P - 2D – P – 3NT we went down 1

Bridge printout says we make 2NT, 4H, 4D.

So with my 5-6 west hand, should I have opened or passed?

Or how should this board have been bid? Maybe to get to 4H or 4D?

At this time, we are playing Standard American. Any thoughts on how to evaluate and bid this board etc. would be greatly appreciated?

Thank you.

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Dear 6-5 friend,

Although you only have six losers, you don't have enough HCP to open the bidding. You should be "in the range" – probably at least 10 HCP. Also remember this: losing trick count does not really apply until you find a fit.

 

That being said – once you open, your partner has heart support and should always take you to game in hearts, not NT!

 

Now let's look at how the auction should have gone. Your partner would open 1NT and you would transfer to hearts. Now you might consider taking another call, say, 3D, at which point he would jump to four hearts with his maximum. His hand will play great in hearts with his aces, three trumps and ruffing value.

Good luck!

* These topics are covered in my articles in the Bridge Bulletin; the most recent series published in May, 2018 through Oct., 2018.

*For more info, grab a copy of one or both of my LTC books, available on this site.

See you at the table!