Evaluate Your Hand: Beyond High Card Points (HCP)

How much is your hand really worth? High Card Points (HCP) are one way of evaluating the strength of your hand, but there are other important factors to take into account. Learn how to re-evaluate your holding to bid to the best contract.
Learn to Play Bridge Online: Oasis Bridge Tuition

[@sueburke2307]

I found this useful and will look at my hand more closely. Thanks

[@oasisbridgetuition]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tomau3946]

I use an alternate point count: A= 4.5, K=3.0, Q= 1.5, J=0.75, T= 0.25. On this point count, the first hand evaluates to only 8.25 ( no aces or tens, only one king). Even the ten of hearts would have added another trick to the hand. West had 17.75 on this count. The second hand benefits from the two aces, two tens, and even two nines, and is worth 12.5. That's not counting the fact that the two jackes are each worth more than "0.75" because of the tens and nines.

[@oasisbridgetuition]

Interesting to look at the more detailed point count values - thank you.

[@bruceflintham4756]

Why not have an agreement that with a week hand any bid by partner is a tranfer

[@archiewoosung5062]

Would you have bid on that first hand had NS not been vulnerable?

[@oasisbridgetuition]

No, I wouldn’t bid Archie, it’s such a weak hand with no Ace.

[@archiewoosung5062]

@@oasisbridgetuition Should have asked too: what about in fourth seat with everyone else passing?

[@oasisbridgetuition]

I'm still inclined to pass!

[@scully0105]

I dont play echo bridge, I would open 1C, short club

[@oasisbridgetuition]

Yes, thanks for this, playing Standard you can’t bid a weak NT. With a flat shape and no ace though, I think I’d still prefer to pass.