Tips ninetynine

Definition

Ruff: play a trump in a trick which was led in a different suit.

• If in doubt, bid the average.
  • ⇒ 9 tricks / 3 players = 3 tricks/player.
  • Combinations: ​♣​♦​♦ / ​♥​♠​♦ / ​♠​♠​♠
  • ⇒ ​♦​♠ bids are more likely than ​♥​♣.
• Suits differ in trick-taking value.
  • ⇒ ​♣​♥ are usually all in play and last two tricks without a ruff.
    • ⇒ A♣A♥ / K♣K♥ are usually reliable winners.
• ​♣ trumps are reliable: self-defeating to bid ​♣.
• ​♦ trumps are unreliable: A♦ may be ruffed on the first ​♦ lead.
  • Zero ​♦​♦​♦ bid is common.
• Low cards are important to meet bids exactly.
  • Bid J109.
  • Keep AK / 76.
• Lead middling cards early to know how to play high and low cards.
• No-trumps always favours the lead player.
• Disrupt opponents with high card bids e.g. top 3 trumps or 3 A.

More strategy tips at the game designer's website.