Winners in notrump, losers in suits

Partnership trust is built on agreements you both understand. A simple method played well beats a complex one played badly.

Before you play to the first trick, stop and count. How many tricks can you take right now, and how many more do you need?

• Count your sure tricks.
• Look for the extra tricks you need.
• Choose the order of play before you touch a card.

Try it: next time you are declarer, say your plan to yourself before playing from dummy.