When there is the slightest chance that the adversaries may win the game on your deal, hasten to secure the tricks needful to insure its safety. Many times the game can only be won or saved in case the cards lie in a certain position, and the dealer must assume that the cards are favourably placed and play the hand accordingly.
When the game is saved, but with no possibility of winning it, the seventh trick should be the objective point in the dealer’s play. When you cannot reach game, never hazard the odd trick in an attempt to win two tricks. In a no-trump declaration, the risk would be twenty-four points for a possible gain of twelve points; and if you lose the odd trick, it may enable the adversaries to win the game on their deal.
THE NON-DEALER’S PLAY TO THE SCORE
The probabilities are not in favour of winning against declared strength. The score will indicate the number of tricks needful to save the game, and the adversaries should take no chances until this important object is attained. Until the game is saved, make no effort to gain extra tricks. Many a rubber which the prompt lead of a high card might have saved is lost by trying for too much.
If you find that the continuation of a certain line of play will lose the rubber, abandon your scheme and take the one chance of finding in your partner’s hand the cards that will save the game. The loss of an extra trick is of slight importance compared with the loss of the game.
THE DECLARATION
The advantage of the deal is enormous, and it is important to utilise it properly to make the largest possible score with the least possible risk. The make shows the great increase in percentage of the good player over the poor one. More rubbers are lost by bad makes than by bad play. The cautious man who passes “no-trumpers” will lose many games by his extreme carefulness. The reckless man loses even more by declaring “no-trump” when his partner must have a “no-trumper” to pull him through. As the element of luck has a potent influence on the result of a make, a sound declaration based on the merits of the hand may be unsuccessful. No one can select the winning trump every time, and an occasional loss must be borne with equanimity for the sake of the many successes; the make that will win with average strength in the dummy hand will pay in the long run. Do not hope for too much, or expect too little assistance from your partner; give him credit for no more and no less than the average hand. If you question yourself—what will my partner probably make it if I pass?—you will find it a great help in determining the declaration. He will usually make it your weak suit, and it follows that you may depend on him for protection in that suit.
A sound make may necessitate the sacrifice of the possibility of a large score for the sake of positively winning the game. The chance for the game takes precedence of all other considerations.
As Bridge is played for points, a fair amount of regard is also due the honour score. A declaration that is apt to give honours to the adversaries is a costly method of winning the game.