In Vernes' article, he defined 'Total Tricks' as the total of the tricks that could be taken, on average, if each side plays in its best suit.  When East-West have 8 spades and North-South have 9 clubs, then in theory, there should be 17 total tricks.  If South bid to 3♣, East-West should bid to 3♠.  In a perfect world. this will work well, since if North-South can make 3♣, East-West will be down just one in 3♠.
      Now comes a critical question.  What did Vernes mean, when he said 'best' suit ?  Did he mean the suits that each side is bidding, or did he mean something else ?
      Take these hands.  No one vulnerable.

	Q J 10 9
	6 4
	4
	A Q 10 8 6 5
2		8 7 5 4
K J 9 2		A Q 8 7
K J 10 5 3 2		A Q 7
J 4		9 7
	A K 6 3
	10 5 3
	9 8 6
	K 3 2

West	North	East	South
	Pass	1	Pass
1	Dble	2	3
4	4	Pass	Pass
Pass

      Apart from the fact that a 5-level save for down one by East-West would be a par bridge, how do you evaluate these hands in view of the Law ?
      Which suit is best for North-South's trump ?
      North-South have 8 spades and 9 clubs.   You can take 10 tricks in either suit, and even though you have fewer spades than clubs, it is best to play in 4♠, which will give you a game bonus, while if you play in ♣, you also get 10 tricks without bonus.
      East-West have a similar problem.  
      Which suit is best for East-West's trump ?   They have 8 hearts and 9 diamonds.   They take 10 tricks in either suit, but they make a game only when they play in ♥.
      Now the Law will guarantee 8+8=16 or 9+9=18 tricks, which means that the Law is off by 2 or 4 tricks, because the deal has 20 tricks in any case.
      The reason for this is easy to see.   The extra tricks come from a combination of shape and long suits and fitting honors.
      Let's make a change.   In the following layout, both sides have the same distribution and high cards, but the long suits are now majors instead of minors.

	A Q 10 8 6 5
	4
	6 4
	Q J 10 9
J 4		9 7
K J 10 5 3 2		A Q 7
K J 9 2		A Q 8 7
2		8 7 5 4
	K 3 2
	9 8 6
	10 5 3
	A K 6 3

      In this layout, both sides can make four of a major, and the Law is now more accurate.   This time, each side takes 10 tricks with a 9-card trump, two more tricks than the Law predicts.
      In this case, the two extra tricks come from the perfect double fits, each side having useful distribution without wasted honors.
      The reason why players of the preceding deal took 20 tricks with just 16 trumps is that, in reality, both hands had longer fits available, and for the sake of scoring considerations, the hands were played in less long suits.

Many players have wondered what the rule should be.  The definition that seems to have widest agreement is that the best suit is defined as the longest suit.  And, in the event that you have two equally long suits, the suit that takes more tricks is defined as the best suit.
      This definition causes problems at bridge table, because when you are trying to apply the Law, you do not always have the assurance that the opponents (or your side, for that matter) are bidding in their best suit.   Look back now the first deal above.   From this bidding sequence, neither side will envision the excellent minor-suit fit on the part of opponents.
      Here is an even more extreme example.

	K J 3
	5 3
	4
	A Q 9 7 6 5 3
9 7 4 2		6 5
A Q 10 7		K J 6
K J 10		A Q 9 7 6 5 3
8 2		4
	A Q 10 8
	9 8 4 2
	8 2
	K J 10

Both sides can make four of a Major with their 7-card fits.   Both sides can make four of a Minor with their 10-card fits.
      With Majors as trumps, there are 14 trumps and 20 tricks.
      With Minors as trumps, there are 20 trumps and 20 tricks.
      What would the Law make of that ?   The Law principles suggest you view the Minors as the best trump suit for each side, but the scoring table suggests otherwise.
      Perhaps, you should regard the total trumps as 20, regardless of which suit you choose as trump.
      Whatever you choose to make of this hand, the fact is that it represents a possible aberration of the Law.   Six tricks more than the Law predicts is a lot, but it can happen.

	8 7	Both Vul.
	A 10 4 2
	8
	Q 7 5 4 3 2
A K J 5 4		10 9 6 3 2
9 7 6 5		3
K Q 9 2		A J 10 7 5
—		10 9
	Q
	K Q J 8
	6 4 3
	A K J 8 6

One last deviant hand.
For North-South, hearts will pay more in a constructive auction, but clubs will provide more tricks in a sacrifice situation.
      If South plays in 4♥, he makes four after the defenders get a club ruff.   Plus 620.   If he plays in ♣, he makes five for plus 600.   If he is allowed to play in a game contract without interference, he does better in ♥.

« Our Score for Various Contracts »

They Play in		We Play in		We Play in
		4	+620	5	+600
5	−680	6X	−500	6X	–200
6	−1430	7X	−800	7X	–500

      In case East-West contend with 5♠ or 6♠, South does best to do his saving in ♣, rather than in ♥.   6♥ is down two for –500.  6♣ is down one for –200. Similarly, 7♥ is down three for –800 and 7♣ is down two for –500.
      You have to know your objectives when you choose the suit to play in.
     Again, which is the 'best' suit here ?  It depends on your needs.