There should be a certain set standard for a “no-trump” make, but at
times it is difficult to draw the line that divides the hands that
should be passed from those that warrant a “no-trump” declaration.
It is obvious that a good player will make more with a hand than a
poor one; consequently a greater risk may be taken by players who
thoroughly understand the finesse and strategy of the game. The make
which would prove successful if played correctly, if badly played
might be disastrous. Then again your adversaries must be regarded; if
pitted against weak players, you are more apt to pull a “no-trumper”
through than when matched against opponents who will take advantage
of any failing in your hand or play.
{ 4 Aces.
Declare { 3 Aces.
“No-trumps” { 2 Aces and one other guarded suit.
holding { 1 Ace and three other guarded suits.
{ 1 long established black suit (A K Q x x x)
and one other Ace.
“NO-TRUMP” WITH THREE ACES
Unless you hold a strong heart hand, or, unless the game can be won
with a trump declaration, three aces should usually be considered
an obligatory “no-trumper.” No doubt a three-ace hand containing
no other honour, is a weak one with which to make the strongest
declaration; but experience demonstrates that if your partner
holds an average hand or any one long suit, loss seldom occurs.
When the make does lose, the points secured above the line usually
compensate for the loss sustained in trick points, and if the rule is
consistently followed, the total gain will be many times greater than
the aggregate loss.
“NO-TRUMP” WITH TWO ACES AND ONE OTHER GUARDED SUIT
At a love score, if the ace suits contain additional
honours, “no-trumps” should always be declared
with two aces and a guarded honour in another suit.
This is particularly true if the aces are red; if you
hold the two red aces, it is doubtful if your partner
could declare any other than a black make. A long
suit, particularly one that can be easily established,
is additional strength; and jacks, tens and nines are
an important assistance to a two-ace “no-trump”
declaration.
If all the remaining cards in the ace suits are small, and if the
protection in the third suit is doubtful, “no-trumps” can scarcely be
considered a safe declaration. A guarded honour or a protected suit
is supposed to imply a certain trick; but a king once guarded or a
queen twice guarded may be led through and captured.
Guarded suits are:
K Q J K 10 x Q J 10 Q x x
K Q x K x x Q J x J 10 x x
K J x K x Q 10 x J x x x
The value of these suits is greater or less according to the size of
the top honour, the number of cards in sequence, and the length of
the suit.
An ace suit may contain: