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Points Schmoints - CHAPTER 11 -
THE RULE OF 11: CAN YOU SUBTRACT?

© Marty Bergen

 
 
   

Order Points Schmoints here   Other Bergen books
Index   TOC

Prior Chapter:
CHAPTER 10 - PREEMPTS FOR FUN
AND PROFIT                                                                                           81



Note: Only summaries are included below -
see book for details

Partner Leads Fourth Best — What Next?                                              93

Declarer Passes the Test                                                                         97


Partner Leads Fourth Best — What Next?

Use The Rule of 11 to determine your play:

 


When a fourth-best lead is made, subtract the card led from 11. The difference represents the number of higher cards held by the other three players (excluding the opening leader).
 

 

Do not lose sleep figuring out why this is true; just accept it. The following is also worth knowing about The Rule of 11:

1.    It does not apply when an honor card is led.

2.    Contrary to popular opinion, The Rule of 11 does apply in suit contracts, provided the lead is fourth-best.

3.    The higher the card led, the easier it is for third hand to learn more about declarer’s holding by applying The Rule of 11.

...


Declarer Passes the Test

After a fourth-best lead is made, declarer's first thought should be to apply The Rule of 11. This is easier to focus on in notrump, where spot-card leads are always fourth-best. In a suit contract, The Rule of 11 will still be meaningful after a fourth-best lead. However, declarer must proceed with caution; against suit contracts, the opening lead will often be made from a shorter suit.

...


CHAPTER 12 - DON'T BE STUMPED
WHEN PLAYING NOTRUMP                                                                99


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