Play Some BishDaily Challenge Recap
A Lone Jack of Clubs Is the Trap; Hearts Wins by 56
The Jack is the best card in the game, and calling the suit it belongs to is the most natural thing in the world. Here it is also the worst call on the table.
The hand
Your first six cards are the King, Queen and 7 of hearts, the 9 and 7 of diamonds, and the Jack of clubs. You have no spades. The kitty is the King of diamonds, the 8 of hearts and the 10 of diamonds.
The decision
Clubs holds your Jack, but only your Jack. Opponent 2 holds the Ace and King of clubs, and the call loses 36 to 146. Spades is worse, since you hold none.
Hearts is the quiet answer. The King and Queen are a Bella, the 8 from the kitty makes four hearts, and your Partner holds the 10 and 9 and picks up the Ace. The call wins 129 to 73. Diamonds also wins, 115 to 67, on the 9, 7, 10 and King.
The line that wins
The hard AI, playing all four seats with the cards face up, won seven of nine tricks with hearts as trump.
Trick 1: the Jack is the opponents'
Opponent 1 leads the Jack of hearts and takes 30. You cannot stop it, and you do not need to. The rest of your trumps still win the hand.
Trick 4: Partner's Ace of diamonds
Your Partner leads the Ace of diamonds and you put the 10 on it. The trick is worth 25.
Trick 9: the Queen takes the last trick
You lead the Queen of hearts and it wins 30 points with the bonus. It is the second card of your King-and-Queen Bella, and you call it when you play it. See runs and Bella.
The takeaway
A single Jack is a card, not a suit. Count how many of the suit's top cards can reach your Partner's hand and your own before you call it. For when a call is worth making, read when to call trump.