Cashing your masters: the right moment
Updated
A "master" card is one that's sure to win the trick when you play it. The timing of cashing it makes all the difference.
Cash early to secure
If you fear your suit will be ruffed by an opponent, cash your masters early. A side ace that lingers too long often gets ruffed. On defence especially, take your points before declarer draws trumps.
Wait to place your points better
Conversely, holding a master can pay off: keep it as an entry or to scoop a big trick later, once opponents have dropped points under it. A trump master kept for the last trick is worth a 10-point bonus.
Count before cashing
- Check that no trumps remain with the opponents before cashing a side ace.
- If the suit is already void at an opponent's, don't hand them a free ruff.
- Keep an entry to run your long suit.
A master can be born mid-deal
A card isn't a master once and for all: it becomes one when the higher cards have fallen. Example: you hold K♠ Q♠ in a non-trump suit. On the first round of spades, the ace and the ten fall. Your king is now the highest spade left: it's the master, as long as nobody ruffs.
Conversely, a master can lose its value. Declarer took 90 in diamonds and you defend with A♣ 10♣ K♣. There are 8 clubs and you hold 3. If the other three all follow on your ace, only 2 remain outside (8 - 3 - 3 = 2) for three players: at least one of them is out. Your 10♣ is the master in theory, but it can be ruffed as early as the second round.
Key guidelines
- On defence: cash early, before declarer has drawn trumps and can ruff.
- Declarer, trumps drawn: your masters are safe, play them in an order that keeps entries.
- Declarer, trumps not yet drawn: first cash what risks being ruffed, or draw trumps before.
- Tight contract: keeping a master for the last trick can be worth 10 extra points.
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FAQ
Should you cash your master cards right away?
Not always. Cash them early if they risk being ruffed, but sometimes keep one as an entry or for the last trick. The right time depends on the trump count.
Can a master card be ruffed?
Yes, if an opponent is void in the suit, they can ruff your master with a trump. Hence drawing trumps first or cashing early.
Can a card become a master mid-deal?
Yes. A king becomes the master of its suit as soon as the ace and the ten have fallen, for example. Tracking the high cards played in each suit lets you spot these new masters.