Page 28 - Learn Bridge Ver2_Neat
P. 28
4 points for each Ace; 3 points for each King;
2 points for each Queen and 1 point for each Jack.
We add up our points in each suit to find the total for our hand. Now
starting from the dealer, we announce out loud the total number of points
in our hands. When all 4 players have announced their points we check
that the total comes to 40. (Note that this effective but simple method of
assessing the hand was invented by Milton Work and called “the Milton
Work count”).
Let us count the points in this hand together -
We have 6 points in spades, none in
hearts, 6 points in clubs and 4 in diamonds.
A total of 16. We announce, “I have 16
points!”
Now we determine the pair
with the most points. If both sides
have 20, we redeal. Otherwise the
side with most points become the
declaring side.
On that side, the player with
the fewer points becomes the
dummy and places their hand face
up on the table with each suit in its
own column, with the highest card
at the top. At this point the declarer
should see something like this -
The declarer now chooses the contract. For now, that is simply
choosing to go for part score or game. A part score is 7 tricks and a
game is 9 tricks.
For game we generally need 25 points and anything less (down to 21)
is a part score.
No, it does not matter if you make too many, that is more than you
declare, but it does matter if you make too few.
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