Midgame: reconstructing the hands

By the midgame, the first tricks have already told you about the opponents' hands. Reconstructing their cards transforms the end of the deal.

Start from the clues already given

The auction bids, the ruffs and the discards betray distributions. An opponent who ruffs a suit is void in it; a player who discards it is weak there. The contract bid also shows where strength is concentrated.

Count the suits

Like trumps, count how many cards of each suit have fallen. Each suit has 8 cards. If you've seen 6 and hold 2, the suit is exhausted: your remaining cards become sure masters or sure ruffers.

Adapt your endgame

• You know who will ruff: don't hand them a big trick.
• You know who holds the remaining master: don't challenge it for nothing.
• Place your points where your side is sure to win.

See also

FAQ

How do you guess the opponents' cards in coinche?

By cross-checking bids, ruffs and discards, and counting the cards played in each suit. A suit that's ruffed or discarded reveals a weakness.

Do you have to count every suit?

Ideally yes: each suit has 8 cards. Following at least the trump suit and the contract's key suit already lets you read the endgame well.