Making Overtricks Without Risking the Contract

Overtricks score points, and at pairs they can turn an average into a top. But an overtrick is only worth chasing when going for it does not put the contract at risk.

Why it works

Count your sure tricks first. If you already have enough, any line that might give the defenders the lead at the wrong moment risks a sure plus for a small gain. Lines that do not lose the lead, or lose it only when that is harmless, are free overtrick chances.

A worked example

You are in 3NT. West leads the ♠5 and you win with the ♠A, your only spade stopper. You can count nine tricks: ♠A, ♥A K Q, ♦A and ♣A K Q J.

A diamond finesse (♦A Q in your hand, small in dummy) would give a tenth trick if West has the ♦K. But if the finesse loses, East wins the ♦K and returns a spade through you. The defence may then cash four spade tricks. With the ♦K, that's five, and you go down in a contract you were sure to make.

The safe approach is to cash your clubs and hearts first and watch the discards. Defenders often have to throw cards that give the position away. Only take a risk for an overtrick when losing the lead can no longer hurt you.

Four common mistakes

• Taking a finesse for an overtrick when its failure lets the defence run a suit.

• Forgetting to count the sure tricks before choosing a line.

• Cashing winners in an order that gives up later chances.

• At teams, risking the contract for one overtrick. It is never worth it.

When the rule does not apply

At pairs, if you suspect most of the room will make an overtrick, you may need to take a small risk to match them. Do that only when the risk really is small. If the contract is unusual (you are in a part-score when others are in game), an overtrick may matter more than usual.

Key takeaways

• Count your sure tricks before chasing extras.

• Prefer overtrick chances that don't lose the lead.

• Cash safe winners first and watch the discards.

• At teams, the contract always comes first.