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ZAR Distribution Points


DenisO

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In ZAR's excellent articles the Distributional ZAR points are calculated from:

 

(a+ b ) + (a-d)

 

An equivalent mathematical form is (2a +b -d)

 

which I find is much easier to calculate eg

 

for a 6421 distribution you have to calculate only (2*6 + 4 - 1) =15

 

which I think you will find is easier (mentally) to do than

(6 + 4) + (6 - 1) = (10 +5) = 15

 

Try it and see if it works for you. One of the main criticisms of ZAR points relates to complexity and difficulty of use at the table. This little aid might make a difference to you :)

 

Denis

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*** denis wrote: “An equivalent mathematical form is (2a +b -d) which I find is much easier to calculate eg”

<

 

Well, this easier way was first suggested by Jeff Rubens when we were putting together the article for The Bridge World (Jeff is The Bridge World editor). The way he changed and squeezed the article was amazing. His command on the language is stunning – actually “stunning” is too weak of a word – you simply cannot change A WORD of what he’s writing, you just feel totally helpless :-)

 

However, on the (2a + b – d) issue I was stubborn as a mule – “No, you cannot do that, period. You leave it as (a+:D + (a-d) so people understand what’s going on, they see that you add the length of your 2 longest suits to the difference in length of your longest and shortest suits – this reminds them that (a-d) is actually the SUM of the 3 suit-differences (a-:( + (b-c) + (c-d)”.

 

So we decided that he’ll leave the (2a + b – d) as an editorial remark. BUT – most people use this short version of (2a + b – d) in life, actually – turned out Jeff was right again :-)

 

After awhile though, you just stop counting shape points – when I open the cards and see 5-4-3-1, I know it’s 13, while 4-4-3-2 is 10 etc. You just “know” it the way you know that AKJ is 8, or KQJ is 6 etc. Just a matter of practice.

 

ZAR

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  • 2 weeks later...

I just ran the Part Score and 3NT boards from the Standard GIB boards and you can have a look at the base thread "Zar Points - useful or waste of energy".

 

It sheds a light on the impact of distributive points in the evaluation.

 

Cheers:

 

ZAR

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  • 4 weeks later...

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<p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal>Hi, guys:</p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal>I am trying to post the numbers in HTML this time so the

tables are not screwdup – Hrothgar suggested this approach.</p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal>The Offensive Bidding numbers for Zar Points have been

posted to the main Zar Points thread “Zar Points – useful or waste of energy”

while the defensive bidding numbers are in the “Competitive Bidding” thread for

Zar Points.</p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal>As I mentioned, IF you are interested, the corresponding

numbers for:</p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;

tab-stops:list .5in'><![if !supportLists]>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>        

</span><![endif]>Goren offensive;</p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;

tab-stops:list .5in'><![if !supportLists]>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>        

</span><![endif]>Goren defensive;</p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;

tab-stops:list .5in'><![if !supportLists]>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>        

</span><![endif]>Milton (HCP) offensive;</p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal style='margin-left:.5in;text-indent:-.25in;mso-list:l0 level1 lfo1;

tab-stops:list .5in'><![if !supportLists]>-<span style='font:7.0pt "Times New Roman"'>        

</span><![endif]>Milton (HCP) defensive;</p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal>are also available. They would enable you to “check” the

probabilities against the overloading of the bids in your system – you might be

surprised by the picture.</p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal>Let me know if this wouldn’t be “too much” for the purposes

of this forum.</p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal>Cheers:</p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal>ZAR</p>

 

<p class=MsoNormal><![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p></p>

 

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Oops ...

 

Glad I tested the HTML posting with a short message first.

 

Here is the text, and the results will be posted in the "Quotes" way that Ben suggested.

 

Sorry again - check the Competitivie Bidding thread for the numbers posted.

 

Cheers:

 

ZAR

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