Getting set once in a while is unavoidable. Getting set every other hand is a pattern. Almost every chronic set traces back to one of five bidding habits.
1. Bidding the Ace of Spades as a lock
The Ace loses about 20% of the time in JJDD. Bidding it as a Guaranteed book will set you one hand in five. Count it as Likely, not Guaranteed.
2. Counting Possibles as full books
'Maybe I'll cut with this 6 of spades late.' 'Maybe my King will walk.' Maybe means half a book, not a full one. Add up your Possibles at half value and you'll stop overbidding.
3. Bidding to your partner instead of your hand
'My partner bid 3, so I'll bid 3 to make the board.' No — bid what your hand supports. If your hand supports 2, bid 2. If it supports 5, bid 5. Inflating to match your partner is how weak hands become sets.
4. Ignoring the scoreboard
The same hand calls for different bids at different scores. Up 200, play safe. Down 200, push. Ignoring the score and bidding on autopilot is how leads evaporate and comebacks fizzle.
5. Not adjusting for Nils
When your partner calls Nil, your bid changes. When an opponent calls Nil, the loose-book count changes. Bidding the same number regardless of what's happening around the table is a fast track to a set.
