Cashing winners
a Winner = the highest card in the game.
Cashing winners = playing the cards that cannot be beaten.
Watch the video lesson first to learn all essential information
Remember
⇒ Both players must contribute a card to each trick.
⇒ The combined number of winners is limited to the number of cards in the player’s hand that holds more cards.
⇒ Play the high cards first from the hand that holds fewer cards in that suit – "shorter hand".
TEST your skills – make all 13 tricks
Lesson overview
Bridge is a game of tricks and the first card play technique you have to learn is cashing the high cards so you make all the tricks that belong to you.
Bridge is a partnership game. You have to cooperate with your partner and play your high cards smart. Players often forget that all players have to play a card in a trick and they keep their high cards for later. Then they play their winners in the same trick with their partner and lose tricks.
Top card combinations that can win 3 tricks:
A) AKQ vs 432
B) AK2 vs Q43
C) AQ2 vs K43
D) A32 vs KQ4
In all examples A-D, you need to pair up a small card with a high card. Do not waste 2 high cards in one trick. It should be quite easy when you have the same amount of cards in the suit.
Can you win all the tricks in the following combinations?
E) KQx vs. Jxx
F) QJx vs Kxx
G) J10x vs Qxx
PLAY HONORS FROM THE HAND THAT HAS FEWER CARDS IN THE SUIT – WE CALL IT A "SHORTER HAND"
E) If you lead from the top hand first, lead the 2 and win the trick with the Queen. Then lead the ♠3 and with with the Ace or the King. The top hand will lead to the third trick and will be left with the ♠K which is a winner. If you lead from the bottom hand first, lead the ♠Q in the first trick.
F) Lead the ♥2 from the higher hand first and win the first trick with the Ace. Then play the ♥3 and win with either King or Queen. They have the same value because you do not miss any higher card. The last trick will be a winner because you lead from the higher hand again.
G) Lead the ♦K first and play the 2 in the opposite hand. Then play the ♦3 and win with the Ace or the Queen. The bottom hand leads to the last trick and will win the last honor.