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Detail specifications 76GA - Level 3 ★

Playing a major game (4♥ or 4♠) with 5+2 trumps

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Win 4♥ or 4♠ with 5+2 trumps
You may have to play a game in major with only 7 trumps (5-2) : when you can't play
  • 3NT if you have no control in one of the suits
  • 5♣ nor 5♦, if you have 3 losers
This type of contracts is dangerous and requires skills and caution during the card play.The most frequent danger : the opponents force you to ruff again and again with the long hand, then you lose control of the trump suit.
 
How to handle the situation when the opponents make you ruff with the long hand ?
  • Instead of ruffing, you can discard losers. That's the solution most players choose.
  • During game, play your finesses towards the opponent who can't make you ruff.
  • Use the "invisible ruff" when it's possible : play a suit 3rd and ruff it with the short hand.
  • Play your long suit to force your opponents to ruff, so as to shorten their trump suit
Example
You are South, playing 4♥. You only have 5+2 trumps. West leads ♦, and replays Ace ♦. How can you make 10 tricks ?
SWNE
1
Pass
1NT
2
X
Pass
2
Pass
2
Pass
3
Pass
4
Pass
Pass
Pass
K
6
3
K
4
6
5
3
2
7
5
4
 3  
9  A
 8  
A
10
8
7
A
Q
J
10
9
A
K
4
8
♠ is the only option to find the 10th trick. Cash your tricks, and then prepare your ♠ ruff. The opponent is in hand and plays trump, of course. Keep dummy's K♥, and ruff high on the 4th round of ♠. Eventually, you make 3 tricks in ♠, 5 in ♥ and 2 in ♣. Congratulations !
 
 
Example
You are South, playing 4♠. The lead is ♥, your void.
How do you operate ?
SWNE
1
2
2
4
Pass
Pass
4
J
4
5
3
2
Q
7
6
A
K
Q
9
4
 2  
Q  8
    
A
K
Q
10
9
A
5
4
3
2
J
10
6
Be careful, the opponents' trump distribution might be 5-1. Discard 3 ♣ losers in order to keep your 5 trump leading cards. When the opponents play ♥ for the 4th time, dummy will ruff. Afterwards, it's easy, isn't it ? Play your trumps and ♦.
 
 
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