According to the statistic table if you have 8 trumps it is not good news. 11.48% of the time your opponent has 7 trumps, 58.84% of the time your opponent has 8 trumps, 25.09% of the time your opponent has 9 trumps, 4.31% of the time your opponent has 10 trumps, 0.28% of the time your opponent has 11 trumps. Most of the time your opponent has the same number of trump as you have which is 8. But other then that your opponent has about 30% chance to have more then 8 and only 11.5% chance to have less then 8.
Even worse result is shown by the double dummy simulation.
- You are vulnerable.
- Having 8 trumps and a trump suit below your opponent is like knowing your opponent has a AQ behind your K. There are very little you can do except with the knowledge that all other players in the same seat as yours have to play the same hand. Statistically you are a big underdog when opponent bid 2 and you are sitting here thinking about what to do. If you pass your opponent has about 85% chance to make 90 or 110. If you bid 3, opponent will bid 3 if they have 9 or more trumps. If opponent has 8 trumps and it is mp they will double. If opponent has 8 trumps and it is imp they will pass. Always bid 3 for imp and bid 3 for mp if you believe your opponent will not double you or if you think you may have more hcp then your opponent.
- Having 8 trumps and a trump suit above your opponent is a great feeling. If your opponent bid 3 double in mp pass in imp.
- You are not vulnerable.
- Bid 3 all the time. The chance for your opponent to double you is not high. Declarer has a slight advantage at low level contracts.