Opening with very little

[chasetb]

:( Based on writings and brochures pure numerical point counting evolved during the 1940's. For it was during that decade it was determined that under no-trump play a minimum of 20 pts. would usually take seven tricks, 23 pts. eight tricks, 26 pts. nine tricks and so on every three point increment up to twelve/thirteen tricks. It was also determined at that time that under trump play the 3 pt. scale would usually take one more trick than under no-trump play. Interestingly, 3pts is the average point value Milton Work placed on the ace, king and queen.

 

Out of this came the Combined Hand Equivalent Chart, a pure numeric point counting method equating points to tricks. Why more players today are not using it I find hard to comprehend. For the method takes the guess work out of bidding.

 

It is common knowledge that card formations affect point count, yet are not considered apart of it. It would seem the card info incorporated with a bid would be useful if it's affect were known. Example: Under the 5 card Modern American Bidding System, when an opener opens with one of a major the strain is to have five cards. Knowing that and knowing whenever an opener's partner has four cards of the opening strain an additional trick can be taken, opener's partner can increase the response support bid by 3 pts.

 

To date with the use of a computer software program I have documented thirteen card formations under trump play that affect point counting and eight under no-trump play. The majority having a one trick plus/minus affect.

 

It is not my intent to convert players from their point counting method. Rather to inform, especially beginners, of a simpler more accurate method. For if I hadn't found this method for counting points, I would have giving bridge up shortly after I started nine years ago. :D

Actually, it was the 1930s when most of that stuff was going on; it was the 1940s when Milton Work points and the 4-3-2-1 system became popular through Goren and Culbertson. HCP was 'far simpler' than the Four Aces point count or Honor Tricks, when computer sims have proven the 3-2-1-0.5 was far better (most experts use a 4.5 - 3 - 1.5 - 0.5, which is close but not exact). For what it's worth, the Four Aces suggested to give 0 points to a singleton Jack, and only half the high card value for a singleton Queen or King.

[bridgepali]

Qx Qx xxxxx xxxx would be worth -2 points so if my partner has 25 and wants to play game, I would need to pass a forcing bid or otherwise stop him before we get too high.

The combined hands have 23 pts. indicating a safe 2NT or 3 level trump bid can be made. This does not mean a higher level bid couldn't be made. A card formation in the 25 pt. hand may provide additional pts.

 

For point count to match-up to The Combined Hand Equivalent Chart three point scale, a void needs to be valued at 5 pts., a singleton at 3 pts. and a doubleton at one point in both hands.

[bridgepali]

Qx Qx xxxxx xxxx would be worth -2 points so if my partner has 25 and wants to play game, I would need to pass a forcing bid or otherwise stop him before we get too high.

The combined hands have 23 pts. indicating a safe 2NT or 3 level trump bid can be made. This does not mean a higher level bid couldn't be made. A card formation in the 25 pt. hand may provide additional pts.

 

For point count to match-up to The Combined Hand Equivalent Chart three point scale, a void needs to be valued at 5 pts., a singleton at 3 pts. and a doubleton at one point in both hands.

[gwnn]

so it does not bother you that Qx Qx xxxxx xxxx is a weaker hand than xx xx xxxxx xxxx in your hand evaluation method? Do you at least concede that it is a weak point of your method that it counts points backwards?

[bridgepali]

so it does not bother you that Qx Qx xxxxx xxxx is a weaker hand than xx xx xxxxx xxxx in your hand evaluation method? Do you at least concede that it is a weak point of your method that it counts points backwards?

 

:unsure: :unsure:

I don't grasp what you're getting at?

[1eyedjack]

:unsure: :unsure:

I don't grasp what you're getting at?

What's to grasp? The more high cards you hold, the fewer tricks you expect to take, right?