Losing Trick Count (LTC)

The Losing Trick Count is a hand evaluation method for trump contracts. Instead of counting points, you count potential losers, it’s often more accurate for distributional hands.

How to Count Losers

For each suit, count up to 3 losers (you only count the first 3 cards):

Holding Losers

A, K, or Q 0, 0, 1 respectively (in top 3)

AK, AQ, KQ 0 losers

AKQ 0 losers

Ax, Kx 1 loser

AKx, AQx, KQx 1 loser

Axx, Kxx, Qxx 2 losers

xxx or worse 3 losers

Void 0 losers

Singleton (not A) 1 loser

Doubleton (no honor) 2 losers

The Formula

24 minus your losers minus partner’s losers = tricks you can take

Or equivalently: If you have 7 losers and partner has 7 losers, you can make 24 – 14 = 10 tricks (4♥/♠).

Standard Loser Counts

Hand Type Typical Losers

Minimum opening 7 losers

Sound opening 6 losers

Strong opening 5 losers

Minimum response 9 losers

Limit raise 7-8 losers

Game force 6 losers or fewer

Example

You hold: ♠AKJ75 ♥4 ♦KQ83 ♣A92

Count losers: – ♠AKJ75: 1 loser (missing Q) – ♥4: 1 loser (singleton) – ♦KQ83: 1 loser (missing A) – ♣A92: 2 losers (missing K, Q)

Total: 5 losers, a strong hand.

If partner shows a limit raise (8 losers), you can make: 24 – 5 – 8 = 11 tricks. Bid slam!

When LTC Beats Point Count

Distributional hands:

♠KQJ9754 ♥— ♦AKQ ♣J84

Only 14 HCP, but just 4 losers! This hand is much stronger than a flat 16-count.

Fit evaluation:

When you find a fit, LTC helps determine how high to go. Point count doesn’t account for how well hands mesh.

Adjustments

Subtract a loser for: – Good intermediates (10s and 9s) – Extra trump length beyond 5

Add a loser for: – 4333 distribution – Quacks (queens and jacks) without support

The 18 Point Deck

A related concept: a standard deck has 18 potential losers (3 per suit × 4 suits minus honors). When counting combined losers, this helps calibrate expectations.

Limitations

Less useful in notrump
Doesn’t account for defensive values
Works best with 8+ card fits

Losing Trick Count