A specific card distribution in the game of bridge, where a player holds a collection of cards for which no suit is designated as having precedence over others in trick-taking. This occurs when the bidding process results in a contract that stipulates that points will be scored based on the number of tricks won, rather than on the number of tricks won in a specific suit. A hand like this presents unique challenges and opportunities in gameplay.
Such a deal emphasizes high card strength and precise card management. The absence of a trump suit elevates the value of long suits, allowing players to potentially run them to gain tricks. This situation demands careful evaluation of potential winners and losers in a hand, along with adept signaling and communication between partners to establish the most effective strategy. Historically, success in these contracts has been considered a testament to a player’s skill and understanding of card combinations.