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.