Calling the Twenty: Example E1

CTT-E1 Example

All three passed and the Forehand called Dodge Round: fewest Card Points wins now. Compare two of the hands at the table. P2: XI, IX, VII, VI, IV, Jhearts, Jclubs, 1hearts, 1diamonds, 10spades. P4: Skus, XXI, XVIII, XV, Khearts, Kclubs, Qdiamonds, Cspades, Jdiamonds, 10clubs.

Who is smiling, and why?

Answer

P2. In the Dodge Round you want losers: cards that can never be forced to win a fat trick. P2’s hand is almost all losers. P4’s stars and Kings are now magnets for exactly the tricks nobody wants: the Skus MUST beat what it can (the Rising Rule is on), and every trick it wins comes with a bill.