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Fewest HCP To Make Suit

by Richard Pavlicek

This page shows the fewest HCP required to make a suit contract against any defense, (1) against any distribution, and (2) with favorable distribution. In all cases it makes no difference which hand (North or South) is declarer. Most examples are not unique but show just one possible layout.

7 of suit

6 of suit

5 of suit

4 of suit

3 of suit

2 of suit

1 of suit

Besides the fewest HCP, each example has the lowest possible rank sum* for North-South.

*Ace = 14, king = 13, queen = 12, jack = 11, etc.

Seven of Suit

10 HCP against any distribution

7 North or South	— 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 2 6 5 4 3 2
?  ?  ?  ?		?  ?  ?  ?
Any lead	A K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 — — —

At least the play is easy!

5 HCP with favorable distribution

7 North or South	6 5 4 3 2 — 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 2
K J 10 9 A K Q J A K Q J 10		Q A K Q 10 9 8 7 6 9 8 7 6
Any lead	A J 10 9 8 7 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 — —

Hearts are easily established with three ruffs.

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Top Fewest HCP To Make Suit

Six of Suit

8 HCP against any distribution

6 North or South	— 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 2 6 5 4 3 2
?  ?  ?  ?		?  ?  ?  ?
Any lead	A K J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 — 6 —

Note that A-Q-J… would not be enough, as West might score the K by an overruff.

3 HCP with favorable distribution

6 North or South	6 5 4 3 2 — 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 2
A J 10 9 A K Q J A K Q J 10		K A K Q 10 9 8 7 6 9 8 7 6
Any lead	Q J 10 9 8 7 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 — —

Hearts are easily established with three ruffs.

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Top Fewest HCP To Make Suit

Five of Suit

6 HCP against any distribution

5 North or South	— 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 2 6 5 4 3 2
?  ?  ?  ?		?  ?  ?  ?
Any lead	K Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 — 6 —

1 HCP with favorable distribution

5 North or South	5 4 3 2 — 6 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 2
A J 10 9 A K Q J A K Q J 10		K Q A K Q 10 9 8 7 9 8 7 6
Any lead	J 10 9 8 7 6 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 — —

Hearts are established with three ruffs. Note the need for a blank A to block the suit, else two trumps could be led.

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Top Fewest HCP To Make Suit

Four of Suit

5 HCP against any distribution

4 North or South	— 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 2 6 5 4 3 2
?  ?  ?  ?		?  ?  ?  ?
Any lead	A J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 — 6 7

Declarer must not ruff a suit led by East until he has to. Else West might overruff with K-Q then put East back on lead for a trump promotion.

0 HCP with favorable distribution

4 North or South	5 4 3 2 2 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 —
K J K J K J 10 A K Q J 10 9		A Q A Q A Q 8 7 6 5 4 3 2
Any lead	10 9 8 7 6 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 — —

Overbidders rejoice! You no longer need any points to make game. Declarer has just enough time to crash the enemy trumps and establish a side suit. After a diamond lead, declarer must lead trumps immediately to prevent a trump promotion; then if diamonds are continued, a second trump fells the tops, and the diamond suit can be established. Otherwise, hearts are established. If the defense starts a club, declarer can even score an overtrick by pitching North’s heart.

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Top Fewest HCP To Make Suit

Three of Suit

3 HCP against any distribution

3 North or South	— 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 2 6 5 4 3 2
?  ?  ?  ?		?  ?  ?  ?
Any lead	Q J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 — 6 7

0 HCP with favorable distribution

[Trivial since 4 can be made]

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Top Fewest HCP To Make Suit

Two of Suit

3 HCP against any distribution

2 North or South	— 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 2 6 5 4 3 2
?  ?  ?  ?		?  ?  ?  ?
Any lead	Q J 10 9 7 6 5 4 3 2 6 6 7

Declarer must not ruff a suit led by East until he has to. Else West with A-K-8 could pitch (if declarer ruffs high) then later put East on lead for a trump promotion.

0 HCP with favorable distribution

[Trivial since 4 can be made]

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Top Fewest HCP To Make Suit

One of Suit

1 HCP against any distribution

1 North or South	— 5 4 3 2 5 4 3 2 6 5 4 3 2
?  ?  ?  ?		?  ?  ?  ?
Any lead	J 10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 6 6 7

0 HCP with favorable distribution

[Trivial since 4 can be made]

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Top Fewest HCP To Make Suit

© 2008 Richard Pavlicek