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Odds of my Side Suit Being Ruffed

Before leading a side suit and before all the trump cards have been drawn there are odds on the probabilities of your card being ruffed by opponents

Probabilities

When needing to play a card in a side suit before drawing all the trump cards. Declarer may or may not wish to have this side suit card trumped. Knowing how likely it is that a ruff will occur is statistical information which has been calculated. Having an overview of these statistics helps with playing decisions
Opposition Holding in Declarers Side Suit Chances of Being Ruffed
1st Round Played 2nd Round Played 3rd Round Played 4th Round Played
2 cards 48% 100% 100% 100%
3 cards 22% 100% 100% 100%
4 cards 10% 60% 100% 100%
5 cards 4% 32% 100% 100%
6 cards 2% 17% 65% 100%
7 cards 1% 8% 38% 100%
Table: The Odds of Being Ruffed compared to how many rounds of that suit have been played



Notes on Even numbers of Outstanding Cards

With two cards missing and looking for the King play for the drop - succeeds 52%


With four cards missing and looking for the Queen play for the drop -succeeds 52%, card distribution may be 2-2(42%) or 1-3(singleton occurs 11%)


with six cards missing and you are looking for the Jack(54%), card distribution may be 3-3(occurs 35% of the time) or as a doubleton(occurs 18% of the time) or as a singleton(occurs2% of the time)


Notes on Odd numbers of Outstanding Cards

With odd numbers of cards out for example 3, 5, or 7 cards out don't expect to drop either the King, Queen or Jack.



Instant Progress Quiz - Check all correct answers




 

 



  100%

  65%

  17%

  2%