Bridge Shapes Fundamentals: Read Distribution Quickly

The key to counting is to learn the shapes. There are easy ways to think about bridge shapes.

I like to break bridge shapes up into two parts, stick with me because this is about to become very simple.

Step 1.

8 card fits are very common, often we have an 8 card trump fit with partner. Lets think about the number 8, and come up with two numbers that equal 8. Simple hey?

4-4
5-3
6-2

These are the most common 8 card shapes. Ideally, its a good idea to practice reciting these 8 card fits. Recite them quietly in your mind, recite them out loud, write them on paper. Its okay to get a piece of scrap paper and just freely write down 4-4, 6-2, etc. Just until these numbers gel together.

Overall I think we can agree to this point, things are simple, we are just adding to 8.


Step 2.

So you have an 8 card fit, that means the opponents have how many cards? The answer is 5! So, step 2 is to think about the 5 card fits. The main ones are

3-2
4-1

we also occasionally have
5-0.

Once again we need to do what we did in step 1, we need to acquaint ourselves with these fits. Practice them, say them, write them down. Get good at them. Again its not difficult, its adding to 5.

Step 3.

We combine the 8 card fits with the 5 card fits.

For example
8 card. 5 card
4-4. 3-2
5-3. 4-1

combine any and every 8 card fit, with any and every 5 card fit. Again write these down, make up as many as you can. 6-2-4-1 etc etc. The key to this is practice and repetition.


The result of following those steps is that you create a template in your mind - 4-4-3-2 exists now in your mind. If I said 5-3-4-? You will in time come up with the missing number, 5-3-4-1.

So what is the point in all that? You are creating a very powerful habit, maybe the single most powerful bridge habit.

Where to next

• -> Next: Understand Fourth-Highest Leads: Read the Defensive Picture
• -> Related: Count Winners in No-Trump: Build a Trick Plan
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