Hand Valuations

How valuable is your hand?

 

Hand value has two elements: High-card Points and Distribution Points. 

There are forty high-card points in the deck: four aces (16 hcp), four kings (12 hcp), four queens (8 hcp), and four jacks (4 hcp). 

Distribution Points (DP): void – 3DP, singleton – 2DP, and doubleton – 1DP. 

The combination of hcp and DP is considered hand value. This value is the usual determination in your decision to bid. 

However, during the auction, the valuation may change! 

High card values are shaded based on the bidding gaining value in suits bid by partner. Suit length cards held in partner’s suit adds points for 4th, 5th, etc. of their trump. 

Your void, singleton or doubleton gains value as long as you have three or more trump!

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