Counting

Counting as declarer is a critical skill. We've often heard about counting winners or losers, but most players aren't in the habit of doing it — and doing it repeatedly as the hand develops. Applied correctly, it's a very powerful skill and the basis for any good declarer planning.

Counting is usually very simple — it's about looking at basic suit holdings and counting to small numbers, for example up to 7 or 10. Or, when counting losers, it's often just making sure there aren't 4 losers when you're in 4♠. It sounds basic and pointless, but as you do it, an amazing skill gets unlocked — you'll be in the top 1–5% of declarers!

Practise counting in the trainer
Interactive practice hands
Practise counting on the treadmill
Treadmill trainer

Work through it

  1. 1
    Counting Losers: Plan the Hand and Spot Hidden Dangers EarlyAdvanced
  2. 2
    Count Winners in No-Trump: Build a Trick PlanAdvanced
  3. 3
    Count Winners in Trumps: Avoid Missed Tricks and Read the Trump LayoutAdvanced
More declarer topics