HEARTS IN PREFERENCE TO NO-TRUMP
As it requires three odd tricks to win a game of thirty points without a trump, and but one trick more to win a game with a heart trump, the dealer will often have occasion to choose between the two makes. With a strong heart hand and a doubtful "no-trumper," or if the hand contain one unguarded suit, hearts should always be given the preference. As the adversaries have the lead and the privilege of doubling, a weak suit exposes the hand to some danger at no-trump.
RULES FOR THE HEART MAKE
The dealer should declare hearts:
| Holding— | 6 Hearts, including 1 honour and some protection in other suits. 5 Hearts, including 2 honours and some protection in other suits. 5 Hearts, including 1 honour with a good five-card plain suit, or with strong protection in other suits. 4 Hearts, including 3 honours and some protection in other suits. 4 Hearts, including 4 honours, with or without protection in other suits. |
DIAMONDS
As there are two declarations of greater value than diamonds, there is often a question as to the advisability of passing the make with a fair diamond hand and of giving partner an opportunity to declare no-trump or hearts. The dealer should always make the trump diamonds holding four or five honours in his hand, irrespective of the state of the score; holding less than four honours the dealer must be influenced by the number of points that are necessary to win the game, and by the strength of his hand. Many players are prejudiced against an original diamond declaration when the score is love all; and, while the writer believes it safer at this score to declare diamonds with a fair hand than to chance the uncertainty of a passed make, yet the make SHOULD be passed:—
When behind on the first game—as 0-24.
Having lost the first and with nothing scored on the second game.
When nothing on the rubber game.