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The Losing Trick Count (LTC) is a tool to guide you when partner opens 1♥/♠ and you have an eight card or better fit. It is popular in the United Kingdom where 4 card major suit openings are prevalent. |
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The most common method of raising partner is simply to add the high card points |
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(6-9 = 2-level; 10-12 = 3-level; 13+ = go to game) but the LTC method is different and takes more account of distribution. |
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Playing the LTC you access each suit in turn: - |
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With 3 or more cards in the suit, consider just the top 3; the ace, king or queen are considered to be winners, any other card is a loser. |
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With just 2 cards in the suit, only the ace or king are winners. |
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With just 1 card, only an ace is a winner. |
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A void has no winners (but more importantly no losers). |
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The LTC says that you subtract your losers from 17 and that is the number of tricks that you will make assuming that partner has opened with a minimal 7 loser hand. Alternatively, subtract the number of losers in your hand from 11 and bid to that level. |
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In the following examples we assume that partner has opened 1♠ which may be 4-cards. |
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| ♠ |
KJ65 |
2 losers |
There are 8 losers, so bid 3♠ (11-8) |
| ♥ |
Q432 |
2 losers |
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| ♦ |
65 |
2 losers |
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| ♣ |
A54 |
2 losers |
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| ♠ |
AQ65 |
1 loser |
There are 7 losers, so bid 4 ♠ (11-7) - via whatever mechanism you use to show a sound raise to game. |
| ♥ |
Q432 |
2 losers |
| ♦ |
65 |
2 losers |
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| ♣ |
A54 |
2 losers |
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The scheme has its merits, but there are numerous adjustments that you have to make if you pay it seriously – for instance Qxx and Axx are both defined as one winner. I do not play the LTC, I simply look at the HCPs and do sensible adjustments for shape/distribution and other features as described in the booklet on hand evaluation. |
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| For further details and examples of the LTC, read the book "The Modern Losing Trick Count" by Ron Klinger. |
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Pattaya Bridge Club - |
www.pattayabridge.com |
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