The Losing-Trick Count (LTC) is an alternative, or supplement, to the high card point (HCP) method of Hand evaluation and is to be used in situations where shape and fit are of more significance than HCP in determining the optimum level of a suit contract - It should only be used after a fit has been found.

The "losing tricks" in a hand are added to the assumed losing tricks in partners hand (7 losers for an opening bid of 1 of a suit) and the resultant number is subtracted from 18; the net figure is the level of the contract a partnership can expect to make when playing in the agreed suit.

Basic method

The basic method assumes that an Ace will never be a loser, nor will a King in a 2+ card suit, nor a Queen in a 3+ card suit, thus

  • a void = 0 losing tricks. a singleton Ace = 0 losing tricks.
  • a singleton (other than an Ace) = 1 losing trick.
  • a doubleton AK = 0, Ax, Kx or KQ = 1, xx = 2 losing tricks.
  • a three card suit AKQ = 0, AKx, AQx or KQx = 1 losing trick.
  • a three card suit Axx, Kxx or Qxx = 2, xxx = 3 losing tricks.
  • suits longer than three cards are assessed according to the three highest cards, since no suit may have more than 3 losing tricks.

Examples

A typical opening hand, eg ♠AKxxx ♥Axxx ♦Qx ♣xx, has 7 losers (1+2+2+2 = 7 losers).

To calculate how high to bid, responder adds the number of losers in their hand to the assumed number in opener's hand (7).

The total number of losers arrived at by this sum is subtracted from 18. The answer is deemed to be the level of a contract the partnership can make and this should be the next bid by responder, Thus following an opening bid of say 1H:

  • partner jumps to game with no more than 7 losers in hand and a fit with partner's heart suit (3 if playing 5-card majors) ... 7 + 7 = 14 then subtract from 18 = 4 level.
  • With 8 losers in hand and a fit, responder bids 3H (8+7=15 which deducted from 18 = 3 level).
  • With 9 losers and a fit, responder bids 2H.
  • With only 5 losers and a fit, a slam is likely so responder may bid straight to 6H.  However, above the 4 level the LTC is not so accurate, so it is normally best to check for Aces.
  • You may Subtract a loser if there is a known 9-card trump fit.

♠

643

W        E

♠

AQ

♥

AKJ2

♥

Q1053

♦

3

♦

765

♣

Q9876

♣

A542

 

 

 7 losers + 7 losers =14 (18-14 = 4 ♥)   

 

♠

8543

W        E

♠

AKQ2

♥

AJ32

♥

K108

♦

AQ2

♦

K874

♣

52

♣

J10

 

 

 

 .................................................................................. 8 losers + 6 losers =14 (18-14 = 4 ♠)

Second round bids

The bidding need not stop after the opening bid and the rebid. Assuming opener bids 1H and partner responds 2H; opener will know from this bid that partner has 9 losers (using the LTC), if opener has 5 losers rather than the assumed 7, then the calculation changes to (5 + 9 = 14 deducted from 18 = 4) and game becomes apparent!

 Limitations of the method

The LTC method is only valid if there is a trump fit (4-4, 5-3 or better)