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“Improve Your Spade’s Rating the
Easy Way”
Jay Tomlinson
After considerable effort on articles of a
highly technical nature I realize that very little has been published regarding
general competitive skills. We all
possess certain skills that we take for granted that can be improved quite
easily. Sometimes it is these skills
that go unnoticed that cause the loss of many games. We overlook these skills and have problems noticing these
deficiencies because our team is only two players constantly changing. Because of this change it is even more
important that we wear all of the hats that any good team would possess. We are the coach, team captain, and player
all wrapped into one. This article will
briefly cover the traits that any winning spades player should possess from a
non-technical perspective.
Building a
Partnership: The
most important skill that any two-person team can possess is being a good
partner. This trait is evident in our
marriages and all other events involving two.
Your partner is your best friend!
Your partner is your right arm!
You cannot excel if you sever this limb. The online spades partnership is even more delicate. We begin as a very fragile thread. Either party can easily break this
thread. During this fragile period many
partnerships do not survive for a variety of reasons. It is very important that you do not say or do anything that may
damage this thread. In time this thread
will become a rope and the partnership can withstand an occasional hiccup.
If
you attend any offline tournaments you will quite frequently hear comments like
“My Partner is Killing Me”, “If My Partner Would Have Played Better”, “Can You
Believe My Partner Did This”, and many others.
We all feel needs to ventilate after a bad game but to berate a
partner’s actions amongst peers is unforgivable. If a partner makes a mistake they are usually fully aware of
it. Most players tend to be their own
worst enemy after a mistake is made.
At this time they need a real partner,
not one that is going to ridicule a play that has occurred. I strongly urge nonparticipation in this
kind of thing. It is counterproductive
for the game. Anyone that participates
in this sort of thing usually has made plenty of mistakes themselves. Sometimes all it takes is a superior player
to point them out. I have found, that
advice given at the table while playing, is worth exactly what you pay for it, nothing! You can boost partner’s playing level simply
by showing courtesy and understanding.
A simple nice bid, cover, nil, or set goes a long way. Do not be afraid to complement your pard
occasionally. If your frequently
queried by others to play and players comment that they play better opposite
you, indicates that these needs are being met.
Winning the
War:
Another area that a tremendous amount of points are lost is
when the partnership suffers a mishap and carries it into the next hand. Many disasters occur as a result of someone
trying to recover from a previous bad result.
Treat each hand as a separate battle.
You can lose a battle without losing the war, and battles will be lost
with mistakes made. If you engage in
this kind of self-destruction at my table I will help you as much as I can remember
your mistakes. One of many mind games
at the table is to point out all of the opponent’s mistakes hoping to rattle
one of them. If one partner is prone to
berate his partner, fuel has been readily supplied. It is best to ignore this behavior or gloating and make a written
note for later discussion if playing with a regular partner. In the online games this behavior may not be
noticed quite as badly as in offline events.
It is usually quite easy to detect emotion
on the face of your adversary, as well as card slapping and many other methods
people use when they are angry or upset.
It is also important to remember that you can have a poor result by
gloating from a previous hand as well.
This self-gratification can distract you from current play just as easy
as being upset can do. If you are a
result player and take positions constantly after all four hands are known you
are setting yourself up for long-term losses.
These losses may show up in the next hand, future losses of partners,
opponents, and your rating.
R.E.A.C.T. Any
thing worth doing well requires a plan!
Playing spades is no exception to this rule. Without a plan we are simply going through the motions. Even a backup plan is not a bad idea. A hasty play to trick one can be
devastating. It cannot be undone! Your opening lead and your play to trick one
are so important, why risk the rest of the hand carelessly before making some
mental notes and a plan. I use the
following acronym as a reminder.
R.E. Review
the bidding. Is the strength on my
right, or on my left? Does the
opponents’ bidding indicate that my values are well placed, or am I likely to
lose a specific trick? Are the
opponents bidding the full value of their hands? Does it look like suit shortness in my hand is a threat to our
partnership or the opponents? Does the bidding indicate a bagging hand?
A. Analyze
the opening lead! Does it look like a
short suit lead? How much time elapsed
before the lead was made? Timed opening
leads indicated mixed face cards, or other problems. Does the lead allow you to place any cards in the defender's
hand? Does the lead improve your hand?
Does the lead indicate a bagging game?
C. Count
your winners and losers! How am I going
to make my bid?
T. Time
for a plan of action. Put it all
together and form some kind of plan before playing to the first trick. The time that it takes for an opponent to
make an opening lead may give you considerable information about that
hand. If a face card is not led, or
what appears to be a short suit lead the opponent is somewhat balanced and
faced with a tough lead. Probably
leading from an honor and may indicate a need to play a queen or jack if in
second position. This plan does not
need to be firm, but any plan even a temporary one is better than no plan at
all.
Speed Kills: Maintain an even tempo
while bidding and playing. Any
hesitation gives away information.
Unfortunately most think this is a sign that communication is occurring
between partners and can’t see the forest for the trees. I tend to use this information in just the
opposite manner. If a long hesitation
occurs before a Nil I realize that the person bidding the Nil has a soft spot
and is concerned about this bid. This
information may be invaluable. A
hesitation when holding a king that you have bid on is also another dead
giveaway. Any hesitation by a Nil
bidder during the play indicates problems.
I am not saying that one should read
anything into fast and slow plays. I am
however advocating an even tempo of play.
Many online players insist on fast play for fear of cheating. This is so ridiculous. Most players still pause when they have a
problem in the play, or in the bidding.
Actually fast play helps me locate key cards, and detect problems much
easier. If we establish a very fast
pace it will be much easier to detect a slight glitch in the play and pinpoint
problem areas.
A very good player that plays fast will beat
you to death this way. If you slow him
down to an even pace his decisions will not be so transparent. Also remember when acting on a huddle, that
you do so on your own risk! If you are averaging
about 7-8 minutes per hand you are neither too fast nor too slow. Don’t let the opponent’s fast play and
bidding and constant rush steer you into their game! On the other hand if they opponents are taking 10 minutes to play
a hand you should try speeding them up.
If you want extremely fast play then host your own table and advertise
it.
Up or Down: What is the level of my competition? Most of us play somewhat regularly in the
same arenas. Spend this time getting to
know your opposition. Do not place
major emphasis on ratings. If you think
that you can look at someone’s rating and determine ability conclusively, you
are mistaken. Many use so many names it
is hard to tell. The rating name does
not indicate if it is 1 of 1, or 1 of 15.
We are also left to guess if the individuals’ rating reflects a regular
partnership score, or an individual result playing with many partners. Someone that plays with many partners and
has a higher rating truly has my respect.
The big point to be made here is that we all
put our pants on the same way. When
playing in an up game don’t be concerned about the level or the rating of your
competition. They cannot change the
spots on the cards. If you get wrapped
into thinking that you are supposed to lose against some pair then you probably
will. Information is a good thing only
if you know that it is good information and you know how to perceive it. Someone with a higher rating may not
indicate real trouble. What is the
win/loss ratio? If someone has a high
rating with a terrible win/loss rating, losing more games than won, gives real
food for thought.
Focus: Be ready to play when
you sit down. Clear away all
distractions. Be fair to your partners
by minimal preparations before play.
Remember that people concentrate in different ways. Some can easily turn it on and off; while
others must stay focused the entire match.
It is very difficult for me to make any conversation while playing. I guess the level of counting dictates the
amount of concentration.
Regardless of the level you aspire to reach
you should still stay focused. It is
very easy to lose the whole hand by just a simple distraction. Even pleasant conversation is very
distracting during the play of the hand.
Card counting requires intense concentration but can be lessened with
some simple advice. Remember that 13
can only divide two ways. The suit must
divide either odd, odd, odd, even, or it must divide even, even, even, and odd. A void counts as an even holding. The same is true for hand patterns. All hands fall into this same theory based
on the rule of 13. Usually by the time
spades are led I have an approximate count.
Most of the hand distribution is known.
I simply apply the odd and even rule and deduce the rest. If pard is even in three suits he will have
an odd number of spades, if pard is odd in three suits he will have an even
number of spades.
With
information based on the bidding and current tricks taken, usually an
approximate spade count can be determined.
This method is much easier than trying to count all the cards in every
suit and allows a quick reference in the endgame. If you’re a card counter this method will allow for improved
concentration in other areas of play.
Competitiveness: Obviously most of you
have it or you wouldn’t be reading this.
All of the great players possess an abundance of this trait. Many matches are won on sheer
competitiveness alone. It is that
kicking, scratching, clawing, drive to win that pushes many. These players will always be the toughest to
beat. They will not lie down until the
final point is won and the game is over.
Even then they are still hanging on.
The spades arena is a tough sport and many sessions will yield poor
results.
Many players lose interest when things look
completely hopeless. Your partner will
be eternally grateful if you maintain the “eye of the tiger” even when losing. This game can turn around so quickly that
even the surest of victories can change in a moment’s notice. It takes a real expert to play smoothly when
things are going badly. Almost anyone can throw cards on the table when things
are going smoothly. This ability to come
from behind is truly a competitive talent.
I would prefer an inexperienced partner with this trait anytime to a
veteran player that gives up easy.
Captaincy: Assume the role of
lead if you are the veteran partner.
Allow partner to feel comfortable the way he likes to play. It will be much easier for you to play his
method, instead of trying to teach him all of yours. A veteran player usually can size up a new partner and adapt
rather quickly. Capitalize
on this ability and make life simple on your new partnership. Some bids that are right for your seasoned
partnerships may get you into trouble with new partners. I have heard expressions such as “a five
dollar bid playing with a fifty cent pard” that indicate this problem
area. You can make all the wonderful
bids and plays that you want to but at the end of the game you have only one
score. This score is a partnership
score, not an individual one. It does not
show the world which partner played better or worse. Remember that well and make life easy on your new
partnerships. Once you assume this role
lead by example. Establish a reputation
at the table and away from the table by this positive attitude and firmness. Don’t volunteer fact or information to your
opponents unless asked, and please have some clue about the subject before
providing an embarrassing answer. I
have witnessed so many discussions about play and defense that were so far off
course that it helped me size my opponents up quickly. Do not let results get
you down, and definitely do not let your partner see this behavior. Play for good things to come!
It is obvious to a good player what fault
occurred and who was responsible. It is
also obvious that the game has already been won mentally once this happens at
the table.
I guess my
favorite pet peeve is an inexperienced partner or opponent telling me how to
bid or play and being so clueless about the subject they are talking
about. It is one thing to be a poor
loser and be right, it is quite another to open your mouth when totally
ignorant. Rating does not necessarily
mean one player is better than another.
Unfortunately it is perceived by many to be so.
Trumps, Trumps, and Trumps: Do you fairly rate
your trumps? Most slightly underbid on
spade strength. In any close decision
an abundance of spades is all the push I need to bid one more. Natural spade winners have the extra bonus of
being taken when “you” want to take them.
They will not disappear, when you control the spade suit you control the
hand. How often do you lead trumps? An old saying used to exist that said “when
in doubt lead trumps.” “ Lead a trump when a reason exist”, is a better
expression. Have a reason for leading a
trump! Either to set up a set suit that
you own, or to cut down on the oppositions cross-ruffs, or to signal to partner
that you have your tricks and it is time to give away the rest.
Another area that is ignored is when one
partner has made a bid while the other is sitting on a natural trump
trick. Don’t sit on the Ace of spades
if it is the last trick for your side.
Let partner have some clue by playing it. It will allow your partner to unblock the highest spade, or
either pitch a winning card from another suit.
It’s amazing how many times I have taken a trick with a Queen of trumps
when partner held the Ace. When partner
is one away from his bid it is a very dangerous game to refuse a trick unless
you have undisclosed agreements about showing this. I think that I make this obvious to my partners by trumping high
and playing a smaller spade later when I am still one shy of my bid. This is my signal to pard that I am holding
a sure trump trick.
When holding a spade two suiter, something
like 5-5, or 6-5, or even 6-4 bid more.
This hand is a distributional monster and will sway the match usually. If pard is bidding on your short suits this
causes no grief. Your spades are good
whenever you want to use them. If the
opponents are bidding on your short suits then it is they who are in real
trouble. This side suit of yours is
going to net you some extra tricks.
Count a trick for the 4th, 5th, and 6th
card in the suit regardless of size. My
opinion is that this game is a “bidders” game.
If you are on lead and holding this hand it will usually be correct to
lead from your long suit and not your short suits. The principle here is to get rid of your losers in your hand
before the opponents shorten you in spades and weaken your hand. Tempo is very important in this kind of
hand.
More points are lost on timid bidding I
think than any other facet of the game.
It is a very aggressive game with bidding being the cornerstone. Instead of worrying about what partner has
bid, think about what he hasn’t bid.
Many times partners one bid is a very close nil bid. Remember that when making your final bid! At the table absolutely nothing can replace
“good judgment.” It can always be easy
to visualize partner’s hand in a manner that makes your overbidding look
good. Partner almost never has that
hand!
Memory: How
good is yours? How long do you remember
the opening lead? Is it easier if a
face card is led? Many players will
remember an opening lead of a face card.
Some will remember spot cards.
But most will remember the suit but forget the exact size of the card
led. This size is very important! It gives the partnership vital information
regarding suit length. If you have any
trouble remembering opening lead spots I strongly advise you to play the spot,
jingle game. Make a quick jingle about
partner’s opening lead as a memory aid.
Many expert players write the opening lead in a scorecard as a memory
aid. This is not to be referenced
during the play, but the act of writing it down serves as a memory aid. Some can remember by writing and others by
simply restating mentally the card led.
Use whatever method works for you but remember the importance of the
opening lead spot!
It
is also wise to develop memory ability by simple concentration type games. I like to play the old game “concentration”
with my son. It involves placing the
entire deck shuffled, face down and turning over two cards trying to match a
pair. Once you master this game you
will then work on actually remembering spots by dealing out 10-15 cards. Look at each one briefly, and then try to
write down all that you can remember.
You will be pleasantly surprised at how much you can improve your memory
in this manner. Remember, that
regardless of how good your memory is unless you follow the key points listed
in Focus, you will still have
problems. Distractions and unnecessary
haste will ruin a good count every time.
A gamblers philosophy:
I belong to the school that believes that days
exist that you absolutely cannot do anything right. The opposite is also true.
Some days whatever ridiculous bid or play you make turns to gold. I firmly believe that we all have these
days. I also believe that most of us
realize it when it occurs. My advice is
to be aggressive on days, or in games when you are having a day like this, or
be conservative, and cautious on days when everything seems to bite you.
Most gamblers live by this
philosophy. Many experts agree with it,
and many simply believe it is complete nonsense. I guess I am a gambler, it seems that everything about this game
is somewhat of a gamble except for bidding on the top spades. At the end of the game the winner is usually
the one that has made a certain amount of gambles, right or wrong that either
win or lose. It is not correct to say that
winning will be the end result by the pair that makes the fewest mistakes. It is the pair that makes the “least costly”
mistakes. We all are going to make
mistakes. The spades game centers on
risk versus gain. If your risks are 70%
successful you will be one fine player.
This would especially be true while playing duplicate spades. If you can win 70% of the possible points
awarded on a hand based on some risk that you took and this is consistent, you
win most every time. The problem exists
trying to find these good risks. They
do exist however, and many experts use them without real thought. Try to look for situations during the game
that you can load the dice.
Opportunities exist that you can be a
winner either way. Try to make your
opponents life during the bidding and play just as tough as you can. Give them just as many chances as you
possibly can to make decisions. The
more decisions one has to make the more errors that will exist. Place the opponent in a position that if he
guesses right something good happens, and if he guesses wrong something bad
happens without jeopardizing your side.
The more you do this the better your scores will be. A good example would be on a hand that you
had a solid holding like AKQ10. Your
left hand opponent leads this suit on the opening lead and his partner plays
the Jack. Win the lead with the
Ace. It is likely since it is an
opening lead that it is from shortness.
If you win this trick cheaply all doubt is removed from your left hand
opponent. If you win the Ace and return
the ten he will have to make a decision.
If he started with one diamond he might pitch on this trick. This little ruse may safe your sides bid, or
set the opponents. Regardless, it cost
you absolutely zero. Give those opponents
many more decisions!!
Improve your Etiquette:
Any good spades player should be an ambassador
to the game by ethical bidding, playing, and leading by example. It is expected from a real winner!
1.) Be
gracious to your partner, and opponents.
2.) Don’t
assume that all your opponents cheat/ especially if they hesitate some.
3.) Compliment
partner on only good plays and bids.
Anything else may appear as gloating.
4.) Don’t
hesitate to compliment the opponents!
Winners should always compliment losers.
5.) Chronic
complaining and groaning has absolutely no place at the table.
6.) Your
partner is your best friend! (Repeated so it may soak in)
7.) Try
to maintain an even tempo while bidding and playing, and do not act on
partner’s hesitations. Treat a
hesitation from partner as if it didn’t occur.
8.) The
lack of an officiator during online play makes life difficult for true
competitors. We have a very loose set
of rules! Do not have undisclosed partnership
agreements. This is cheating! If you have any timed agreements about
bidding or play with deliberate hesitations you are cheating. Every player at the table has some right to
special agreements you and your partner have.
If you bid 7 and this means that you have the Ace of spades the
opponents have a right to this information too! It is quite appropriate to pre-alert your opponents before the
game starts about any special agreements that you and your partner have.
I would really like to see this list grow! Please feel free to help me make
amendments. Your comments would be
greatly appreciated.
Regards,
Ruffkid1
Copyright 9/16/99
Jay Tomlinson
Please do not make copies of
this material without written permission!
