A Coup For You

It is well established that the Milton Work point count, popularized by Charles Goren, is grossly inferior to methods that emphasize aces and kings and supported honors. The resistance to learning something more complicated, even by experts, has always been surprising to me. If we were trying to do something simple, we could play bingo.

The Bridge World has published various articles on better hand evaluation methods, including the 6421 count and the Kaplan and Reuben method. The latter approach was created using Edgar Kaplan’s experience about actual values and later tested with computer trials. The support from the computer tweaked his values a bit, but provided strong support.

Bill and I have used this method for years. I’ll comment more extensively later, but the essentials are available at Jeff Goldsmith’s website. This is how I value hands, and it often leads to more aggressive “shape” openings and passing “quack” hands with higher Goren points.

Justin Lall has renewed his bridge blogging, and you should check it out. His posts are instructive and entertaining. The latest takes up the issue of “light openings.” He also takes up the recent study of Zar Points, a method with considerable resesarch support.

I find all of these ideas interesting and worth discussion. More later, but I invite exploration and comment.

There is a significant difference in style concerning when, if ever, to open 1NT with a 5-card major. While Bernie and I had a remarkable degree of agreement on bidding methods for a new partnership, we differed on this one.

Bernie’s feeling, based upon his long bridge experience, is that this is frequently the best way to show a balanced hand of the indicated strength, and one can worry about the major later. He can remember many instances where this was the winning call.

My feeling, based on a similarly lengthy bridge career, is that losing the major is a big mistake. I can remember several painful losses where teammates did not find a nine-card fit game that was bid easily by opponents at my table. The analysis of these situations by Grant Baze matches my opinions and experience.

Please take a look at Grant’s analysis by following the indicated link above. I’m sure that Bernie will also weigh in with his analysis.

I should also add that I dislike other offbeat NT patterns, especially hands with 2-2 in the majors. I also never open a 2227 or 2272 hand with 1NT, and almost never a hand with a six-card minor. These hands can never be described accurately after 1NT, and a good bidder can figure out how to continue after opening one of the suit.

Just my thoughts, and I await the group’s opinion.

Dr. Mohan, our team’s leading proponent of frequent Blackwood bids, suggests the following team understandings concerning when a bid of the partnership minor is KC Blackwood:

• After an inverted minor, by either partner at the 4 level
• After a minor suit positive by responder to a 2 opener, when opener raises the suit, either immediately or at the next turn to bid
• By opener, after a reverse and a constructive raise by responder

It would be nice to achieve a consensus on that to ease memory of the system. Please comment on the suggestions and any logical additions. I’ll post a follow up after we have the group’s opinions recorded.

Two things:

1. On posts where I have already added a “follow up” entry, you can still add more comments. You just have to click on the comments link at the bottom, and you will have an opportunity to respond further.
2. The posts now cover more than one page. If you want to look at older entries and post your comments, you need to look for the “next page” link at the bottom.

At IMP’s, white on red, you are in 4th seat. You hold the following hand:
A K J 9 8 6, void, K Q 9, 8 6 5 4.

Partner opens 1 and RHO passes. You respond 1 and partner rebids 2 with the opponents silent.

What now?