In BridgeComposer windows and web pages, when the mouse
hovers over a hand, a tooltip pops up giving evaluation of the hand by the
methods described below.
Note: JavaScript must be enabled in your web browser in order for
BridgeComposer web page popups to work.
HCP
High Card Points.
A = 4, K = 3, Q = 2, J = 1.
Used to evaluate hands for notrump bidding.
The basis for many other methods.
Length Points
HCP plus one point for each card over four in every suit.
Can be used to gauge opening bids, responses and rebids.
See Commonsense Bidding by William S. Root.
Shortage Points
HCP plus doubleton = 1, singleton = 2, void = 3.
Older alternative to length points, can be used to gauge opening bids, responses and rebids.
See Five Weeks to Winning Bridge
by Alfred Sheinwold.
Support Points
HCP plus doubleton = 1, singleton = 3, void = 5.
Also known as dummy points, can be used when supporting partner's suit.
See either reference above.
Controls
A = 2, K = 1.
Used in some slam-bidding conventions.
Quick Tricks
AK = 2, AQ = 1½, KQ = 1, A = 1, guarded K = ½.
Losers
The losing trick count. Count only the top three cards in each suit.
With three or more cards in a suit, A, K and Q are winners, lower cards are losers
(maximum of 3).
Note that Q98 or worse counts as 2½ losers.
With two cards in a suit, A and K are winners, lower cards are losers
(but AQ tight counts as no losers).
With one card in a suit, A is a winner, any lower card is a loser.
Void counts as no losers.
Can be used to assess how high to bid.
See The Modern Losing Trick Count
by Ron Klinger.
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