We recently published an article on Losing Trick Count (LTC), our favorite method of hand evaluation. Here is an example of a hand where, using standard hand evaluation, few partnerships will get to slam. However, using Losing Trick Count, slam is very easy to reach.
| North ♠ Kxxxxx ♥ x ♦ xx ♣ Axxx |
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| South ♠ AQxx ♥ xx ♦ AKxxx ♣ Kx |
After a fit has been found in spades, the North hand evaluates to about 11 points, including distribution, using standard hand evaluation. In LTC, however, the North hand evaluates to 7 losers. Using standard evaluation, the South hand evaluates to 18 or 19 points; in LTC, the South hand has 5 losers.
So, in standard bidding, the combined strength is 29-30 points, keeping many people from even attempting to bid beyond 4♠ to reach the slam. Using LTC, however, the 7 losers in the North hand combined with the 5 losers in the South hand, for a total of 12, strongly suggests that slam should be explored.
This hand comes from Ron Klinger’s wonderful book, “The Modern Losing Trick Count.”