The advisability of a heart make is contingent on the length and
strength of the heart suit, as well as on the probable trick-taking
value of the hand. However, as the honour score must also be
regarded, hearts should be declared with four honours irrespective of
the strength of the other suits; the honour score will usually more
than compensate for any possible loss in trick points.
Declare hearts with but four cards, including three high honours,
provided you hold another long suit or two outside tricks; results
show conclusively that this make is sound.
Hearts should be declared with five hearts, including two honours and
at least one outside trick. Without this extra trick a five-heart
declaration with two honours--unless they are ace and king--is unsafe.
Hearts should be declared with six trumps, including one honour;
but, with fewer than six trumps, a one honour make is doubtful.
Occasionally it may not be advisable to pass five hearts with one
honour--holding, say, five hearts and four diamonds; your partner’s
make would probably be black.
In considering such a declaration, the value of a long side suit that
either is, or can be easily established, must not be overlooked. The
strength of a five-card trump hand with a long suit and a re-entry
card, is apparent to those who have had Whist experience. It requires
but one trump honour from your partner to make this a winning hand,
and unless the remaining cards are very unfortunately placed, it is
difficult to defeat the make.
With a good side suit, do not hesitate to declare hearts with five,
including an honour. Even a four-card side suit is usually a help. It
is when the hand is divided 5, 3, 3, 2, that you are apt to lose by
being forced to follow suit. Therefore a short suit is a help to a
five-trump hand; to be sure, it may at times enable the adversaries
to force you, but as you can always prevent the adversaries’ high
cards in that suit from making, a short suit is a greater benefit
than detriment.