When to double the opponents?
To coinche is to bet the opponents won't make their contract. The points are then doubled for whoever ends up winning them.
What it changes
When you coinche, the opponents' contract goes to ×2. If it fails, your team banks double; if it makes, they bank double. It's a double-edged weapon: a winning shot can flip a match, a failed one can bury it.
Signs of a likely failure
- You hold master trumps the opponents will have to concede.
- You have sure side aces that will win tricks.
- Their bid looks high compared with what their team has shown.
When to refrain
Coinching on a hunch is dangerous. With no strong trump or master card, your shot rests mostly on hoping your partner has them. Mind the score too: when ahead, a cautious coinche protects your lead; when far behind, a bold one can be the right gamble. Several readings are defensible.
See also
FAQ
How much does coinching multiply the points?
Coinching doubles the contract points (×2). If the opponents then surcoinche, it rises to ×4.
Should you coinche as soon as you hold the trump jack?
No. The trump jack helps, but a coinche is decided on your whole hand, the opponents' bid and the score. A single master trump isn't always enough.