Losing Trick Count

Losing Trick Count (LTC)

Rev: 06-15-99

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The Losing Trick Count (LTC) applies only to trump contracts and then only if a good trump fit has been found (preferably 9 or more trumps in the two hands or a 4-4 fit). If otherwise see Methods B and C below.

Basic Count of Losers - Losers are any missing top-three honors in each suit in the hand. This number is limited if the suit is short: xxx(xx) = 3 losers, xx = 2, and x = 1. Also Ax = 1, Kx = 1. Queens with a jack or ten (QJx) count as 2 losers, otherwise (Qxx) count as 2.5. Example of counting losers in a hand:

AKxxx 1 loser (missing Q)

Kxx 2 losers (missing A and Q)

Jx 2 lossers (doubleton)

QJx 2 losers (missing A and K)

Total = 7 losers

Adjustments for More Accurate LTC Valuation

	Hand with 12 or more HCP and no ace : Add a loser
	Hand with four aces or three aces and a king : Deduct a loser
	Hand with ten or more combined trumps + ruffing values (singleton or void), i.e., a superfit : Deduct a loser

Counting Assumed Losers in Partner’s Hand	Expected Losers	Expected Winners ( 11 minus LTC )
Opener shows (11 – 12)	8	3
Opener shows (13 – 15)	7	4
Opener shows (16 – 17)	6	5
Opener shows (18 – 20)	5 – 6	6 - 5
Opener shows (20 – 22)	4 – 5	7 - 6
Opener shows (22+)	3 – 4	8 - 7
Weak Two Bid (6 – 9)	7 – 8	NA
Preemptive 3-Level (Vul / Not Vul)	6 or 7	NA
Preemptive 4-level (Vul / Not Vul)	5 or 6	NA
Takeout doubler shows (less than 18)	7 – 6	4 - 5
Takeout doubler shows (18 – 20)	5 – 6	NA
Takeout doubler shows (22+)	4	NA
Simple Overcall	6 – 8	5 - 3
3-level overcall over preempt	6	NA
4-level overcall over 3-level preempt	5	NA
Responder shows (6 - 9)	9	2
Responder shows (10 - 12)	8	3
Responder shows (13+)	7 or less	4 or more

Applications

Method A - When there is a fit.

LTC is applied to both hands.

Add losers in both hands and subtract from 24. The answer is the number of tricks your side will probably take. For example, you have 8 losers and partner is assumed to have 6 losers for a total 14 losers. Subtract 14 from 24 and you get 10 for the number of tricks your side will probably take.

Method B - When partner makes a preemptive bid and you have a strong hand with little or no trump support.

LTC is applied to partner’s hand and ‘cover cards’ applied to your hand.

Count cover cards: A = 1, AQxx = 1.5, KQxx = 1, QJx = 0, any K or Q (even if singleton) in partner’s suit = 1. Count your cover cards and subtract from partner’s losers (usually 7 on preemptive bid). Take this difference and subtract from 13. The answer is the number of tricks your side will probably take. For example, partner opens with a three bid (assume 7 losers). You have 4 cover cards, which you subtract from partner’s losers, leaving partner with 3 total losers. Obviously, 13 minus 3 equals 10, the number of probable tricks your side can make.

Method C - You have a self-sufficient suit and intend to insist on that suit as trumps and partner has little or no trump support.

LTC is applied to your hand and ‘expected winners’ applied to partner’s hand.

Count your losers and deduct partner’s expected winners. (Expected winners = 11 minus LTC). Subtract this number from 13 to determine how many tricks your side will take. To determine if your suit is self-sufficient use the 10-point test: add the number of cards in the suit to the number of honors in the suit. If this number is 10 or higher you have a self-sufficient suit meaning that you can expect to draw the opponent’s trumps comfortably even if partner has only a singleton or even a void.