Point Count Methods

High Card Point (HCP) Count

Distribution Point Count - Long Suit (LSP)

Distribution Point Count - Support (SUP)

Quick Tricks (QT)

Total Point Count Calculations

• Recommended
  
  
  • Definitions of HCP, LSP, SUP shown above
    
    
  • To open bidding with a suit:   HCP + LSP
  • To respond with suit:   HCP + LSP
  • To respond with trump fit:   HCP + SUP
    
    
  • To open bidding in NoTrump:   HCP
  • To respond with NoTrump:   HCP

To Open Bidding with a Suit

• Simple Approach for Novices:   open all hands with 12 or more HCPs
• Better Approach:   open all hands with 13 or more points (HCP+LSP)
• Better Approach:  Use Rule of 22

To Open Bidding in NoTrump

• Use only HCPs.
• Use NoTrump HCP Table for exact point requirement.

Point Count Modifiers

1. Evaluation methods such as shown above are a first estimate. With experience, you should use the follow modification guides to bid more agressive or conservative than the first estimate suggests.
2. Specific hand evaluation approaches, particularly point count modifiers, is a subjective topic with a number of variations used by different bridge players.
3. Specific approaches to hand evaluation and the point count range for bids should be chosen to be compatible. As you gain experience, you will need to adjust the specific hand evalaution techniques that you use to improve your bidding results. This fine tuning is generally practical only with a partner with whom you play frequently.

   Positive Features

   • Very Good: Long unbroken suits
   • Very Good: Extra Quick tricks (2 1/2 or more)
   • Very Good: Points concentrated in long suits
   • Good: unsupported Queens & Jacks in partners suits
   • Good: 10's & 9's supporting honor cards
   • Good: shortness in unbid suits with long trumps
   • Good: broken sequences & lone honors behind suit bidder

   Negative Features

   • Bad: 4-3-3-3 distribution
   • Bad: Less Quick tricks (1 1/2 or less)
   • Bad: unsupported Queens & Jacks in unbid suits
   • Bad: shortness in partners suits with poor trumps
   • Bad: broken sequences & lone honors in front of suit bidder

Hand Descriptions

The follow hand descriptions provide a way of thinking about hands in the various point count ranges.

Note: To make game, one needs minimum of:

• Good/Min + Good/Min hands
• Good/Med + Average hands
• Good/Max+ Weak hands
• Strong + Poor hands
• Extreme + Very Poor hands

Hand Shapes - Most Common

Hand Shapes - Summary

Alternative Point Count Method

Bridge players use a variety of ways to evaluate hands. Most use some combination of High Card and Distribution point count. Below is an example of 1 alternative.