V N Ramamoorthy
Ladies and Gentlemen,
"Points can be pointless in Bridge! "
First thing a beginner is taught is to count the points. The points (or HCP count) is the basis to decide whether to open , over call, game or slam, double / redouble, defend or declare.
As you progress, you learn that points are only a guideline. More important is the "Trick taking power" of the combined wealth!
The point is how many tricks you can take out of 13. The bidding / auction offer you a lot of clues, but are you listening or observing?
Even if you hear / listen are you processing the details and drawing inferences? That is the point!
Recently I was playing a mini pair event. My partner and I were playing Precision system.
My Partner opened 1D ( 11 -15 , minimum 2 cards in D, no 5 major). My RHO bid 1S.
My hand : Axxx, AKxx, 8764, 3
I doubled (take out probably indicating Hearts, may be 8-10 or max 11).
My LHO bid 2S and partner comes in 3C.
My first thought was to bid 5D.Reasoning was that my p's hand could be
1-3-5-4 or 0- 3-5-5 . Holding SA and singleton club and 4 trumps ( assuming D as Trump), my first thought was to go full hog and bid 5 D!
Then my second thought.. What if pd has bare minimum of 11 counts and a 2-2-5-4 hand?
I dropped the Dollar and went for the penny 😭
I bid 3D and we made 11 tricks 😅
It is pointless to argue with people who go only by points 🙃
Catch my point?
Happy bridging,
Cheers
VNR
Disclaimer : All opinions are entirely those of the author and are no reflection of the views of the BridgeFromHome Team.