OK, you need to set a contract. Preferably 3NT (9 tricks), 6NT (12 tricks), or 7NT (13 tricks) — they pay more. But imagine you have these cards in South:
Your hand in South
How do you know what to bid? You could say '3NT' for example, and then get slammed because you didn't have nearly enough to make it!
Here's the thing. Estimate your hand by assigning these points to your high cards:
| Ace | 4 honor points (4 H) |
| King | 3 honor points (3 H) |
| Queen | 2 honor points (2 H) |
| Jack | 1 honor point (1 H) |
How many honor points do you count?
Section quizBy studying many deals, it was found that you need in your side:
- at least 25 H to make 3NT (9 tricks)
- at least 33 H to make 6NT (12 tricks)
- at least 37 H to make 7NT (13 tricks)
You have 18 H and your partner has 16 H. What's the best contract to bid?
Section quizAt 3NT, you count two sure tricks in Spades, three in Hearts, one in Diamonds, and none in Clubs. How many additional tricks must you build?
Section quizGo! On these deals, you see your hand (in South) and you have info about your partner's hand in North. Add up the honor points in your side, find the right contract, and make it!