Numbered Rules

Most Bridge players have heard of the Rule of Eleven usually associated with opening leads particularly when the contract is No Trumps...... but what about other 'rules'?

Here are some rules you may, or may not, be familiar with.

The Rule of ONE:
When there is just one trump out higher than yours, it is normally best to leave it out.
The Rule of TWO:
When you are missing two non-touching honours, it is normally superior to finesse for their lower honour first.
The Rule of THREE:
If the bidding of a deal is competitive and the points are roughly equal between the two pairs, once the bidding is at the 3 level, tend to defend rather than carry on bidding, unless your side has 9 trumps.
The Rule of FOUR:
Avoid giving partner support of a 5 card suit if a superior 4-4 fit may be available.
The Rule of FIVE:
When the bidding has reached the 5 level in a competitive auction, tend to defend rather than bid on.
The Rule of SIX: Part One:
A six card suit is revealed when responder bids 1NT and later follows with a change of suit.
The Rule of SIX: Part Two:
Where opener rebids 2 of the suit opened after a 1NT response (eg 1H: 1NT: 2H...) responder subtracts the number of cards held in opener's suit from the number of cards in responder's long suit. If the answer is BELOW 6, pass. If the answer is 6 OR MORE, bid 3 of your long suit.
The Rule of SEVEN:
In no-trumps, when intending to hold up with only one stopper in the enemy suit, add the number of cards held by you and dummy in that suit and subtract from 7. The result is the number of times you must duck.

Look out for more of these interesting, and possibly helpful, rules.