Losing Trick Count

This was a bidding system devised by an American writer, Dudly Courtenay. Its principal feature was a method of hand valuation based on a count of losers.
To assess the value of his hand in support of his partner's suit call (with less than 11 points), responder first counts his losers. Then he applies the “rule of eighteen".

Counting losers

There is a maximum of three losers in each suit, each missing top card (A, K, D) counting as one loser (except Qxx = 3 losers | but Qxxx = 2 losers). Losers in short suits are counted only up to the number of worthless cards held. Thus, in the following hand there are nine losers in support of spades *:
QJxx xxx KJxx xx
There are three losers in hearts and two losers in each of the other suits, nine losers in all.

Rule of Eighteen

The rule is: “Ascertain the total number of losers held by the partnership and deduct that total from eighteen. The answer gives the number of odd tricks that should be made.”
It is assumed that a sound minimum opening bid contains seven losers. Thus, if South held the hand given above and heard North opening one spade, South would add his partner’s assumed seven losers to his own nine losers. He would deduct the total from eighteen and the answer, two, would give the number of odd tricks that should be made in a spade contract. South, therefore, would raise to two spades.

* N.B. MUST AGREE SUIT

The negative double

This convention is especially useful over a minor suit opening bid by partner which is overcalled by opponent's major suit, but may be used over any opening bid/overcall sequence. A double by you shows:

1)    9 plus hcps, with likely interest in two suits other than the opening bid suit
2)    It is forcing for 1 round and alertable
3)    It is for take-out but may be left in for penalties
4)    It denies 4 card support for an opening major suit bid.
5)    It applies even up to an overcall of 2 spades by opponents.

Responses by partner:

1)    Bid a new suit, or no-trumps with 2 guards in the opponent's suit
2)    A new suit may occasionally be 3 cards
3)    Rebid the opening suit (shows 6 if a major or a very good 5 card suit headed by 2 honours; 5 or more if a minor)

Bridge for beginners

OPENING BIDS
Remember, a balanced hand contains no void, no singleton, and at most one doubleton.

With a balanced hand of:-
12-14 points, open 1NT
20-22 points, open 2NT
15-19 points, open one of your longest suit, then rebid NT at the appropriate level

With an unbalanced hand, the most frequent opening is one of your longest suit.
If you open with 10 points you need a 6-card suit.
If you open with 11 points you need a 5-card suit
With more points, even very strong (18-19 points, say) open one of longest suit.

Special hands
23 + points, balanced, or to make a game force (shape important), bid 2C
With 8 playing tricks (your long suit being trumps), bid 2 of suit.
With less than 10 points and a 7-card suit, bid 3 of that suit - this is pre-emptive with the intention of silencing the opposition.
Guide For a game in NT you need a combined strength of 25-26 points.
For a game in a trump suit, about 24-26 points is usual, but shape is crucial.

RESPONSES TO OPENING BIDS BY PARTNER

Partner opens 1NT
With balanced hands, Pass or bid NT at the appropriate level:-
With 0-10 points - Pass
With 11-12 points - Bid 2NT (invitational)
With 13-15 points - Bid 3NT (game, sign-off)
With unbalanced hands, - more later!

Partner opens 1 of a suit
With 4-cards (or more) in partner’s trump suit, show support:
With 6- 8 points, raise to 2 of partner’s suit
With 9-12 points, raise to 3 of partner’s suit (limit bid)
With 13-15 points, raise to game (4 major, 5 minor)
(Later on, you will learn to use more advanced sequences, but initially, it reassures
partner that you have agreed to play in that trump suit.)
With a balanced hand, bid 1NT at the appropriate level:-­
With 6- 9 points hid 1NT (limit bid)
With 11-12 points bid 2NT (limit bid)
With 13-15 points bid 3NT (game)

If your hand is unbalanced, use the following responses:
1. You need 6 points to respond at the one level. (e.g. 1C-1D or 1H-1S or 1D-1S)
This shows at least a 4-card suit. Always show a 4-card major rather than NT.
2. You need 9 points to respond at the two level without jumping (e.g. 1S-2C or 1D-2C) The alternative is to bid 1NT so partner doesn’t over-value you.
3. You need 16 points to jump in a new suit e.g. 1C-2H or 1H-2S. It is forcing.

Some important points to bear in mind:
1. Bids may be:
Forcing - you must bid again to keep the bidding open
Invitational - partner would like you to bid again if you have anything worthwhile to communicate. Sign-Off - “This is all I have to say partner.” (See 2 below.)
2. Partner opens 1NT. You have poor point count and an unbalanced hand. Bid two of your longest suit to tell partner to pass and let you play in this ‘cheap’ contract. This is a weak take out.
3. Every opening bid of a suit guarantees a rebid (unlike NT). If partner responds in a different suit, it is forcing and opener must bid again .