Correct contract bridge / by E.V. Shepard ; including the official Laws of contract bridge adopted by the Whist Club, New York, and by all the leading clubs in America.

BASIC PRINCIPLES

21

lie. Y and Z can win only 2 of the 2~ defensive
tricks jointly held.
Try checking up the defensive, declaring and assisting tricks on the following.hand.
K Q o 8 5
v 972
* 93
0 AK5
4 J76 Y 43
v K6543 A B v AJ8
4 52 * 10 876
0 J 76 Z 0 Q942
A92
Q io
* AKQJ4
0 Io 8 3
Sure tricks count as follows: Z, 3; A, Y2; Y, 3;
B, i; total 7Y2. With spades as trumps Y's declaring strength is: spades, 3%; diamonds, 2/2; total
declaring strength, 5 4 tricks. Z's assisting strength
is: spades, i % tricks; hearts, Y4 trick; clubs, 4
tricks; total 654 tricks. The probable joint strength
of the hands is just I2 -tricks. Against a normal
opening lead of B's lowest diamond Y would make
a little slam, but in case Y bid a little slam at Contract, B would lay down his top heart and another
lead of hearts would hold Y down to 5-odd. Trick
counting that extends beyond 10 is unreliable, often
depending for realization upon a favorable opening
lead.
The next hand shown was played at no-trumps,