<P> The trick is won or taken by the player who played the highest card of the led suit--or if trumps were played, the highest trump card wins . The player who wins the trick gathers the cards up into a face - down arrangement that allows players to count the number of tricks taken . The contents of each trick cannot be viewed after this point, except to determine whether a player reneged (played an off - suit card including trumps when they could have and thus should have followed suit). The number of tricks a player has won cannot be disguised; if asked each player must count out their tricks until everyone has agreed on their "trick count". The player who wins any given trick leads the next . Play continues until all players have exhausted their hands, which should occur on the same (last) trick . Otherwise, it is a misdeal . </P> <P> A partnership reneges on their contract if they violate the rules of play; most often this happens when a player plays off - suit when they could have, and therefore should have, followed suit . The penalty for reneging varies; in most cases it nullifies that team's contract (the team cannot make their contract and their score is reduced by 10 points for each bid trick), while sometimes reneging results in a three - trick penalty, meaning the team may still make contract but must take three additional tricks to do so . It does not matter if the player reneges on purpose . The bags still count against the opposing team, and will go against their points . On the other hand, if a team calls reneg and that team cannot prove or call out the first hand that was a potential reneg, then the team that called out the false accusation is penalized the three - trick penalty . The tricks do not count towards the opponents' bids . </P> <P> A common play among more experienced or skilled players is for a player who realizes that they cannot help but win all remaining tricks to simply lay down their hand and declare "the rest are mine" or similar . This is known as "TRAMing", and can help speed play of the game . An obvious situation in which a player could "TRAM" is if, with three tricks left to play, the leading player sees that they hold the AKQ ♠ . No matter which card they play, no other player will be able to beat that card (as the player holds the only cards that can), and the same will be true for the next two tricks . Usually, situations in which TRAMing is appropriate are less clear - cut, and involve keeping track of the cards that have been played to determine whether any player could beat a particular card . </P> <P> A player who TRAMs when it is possible for another player to win at least one trick is penalized either by having to play the remainder of the hand with their cards exposed, by forfeiting all remaining tricks (at the discretion of the player who would otherwise take the trick, to prevent intentional false TRAMing that would give the player an advantage), or by forfeiting their bid (the hand will be scored as if that player failed to make their bid regardless of the number of tricks they take). It is always acceptable for players to play the remainder of tricks normally, even if they are positive they will take all remaining tricks . </P>

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