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yes that never occurred to me Darn it

There are a lot of hand evaluation methods. I use to preach and teach Zar Points and still really like them, and I've tried "Blinky". But giving instructions in "counting points" to people already familial with 4-3-2-1 point count method, you can beat the easy of converting to Bergen's Method. In addition, it highlights that without a fit, short suit points don't win tricks (so only count them with a fit), but long suit tricks (and points) are good for both NT and suit contracts. IS that all there is to hand evaluation? Of course not. You have to take in other issues. What do you think QJxx in a suit bid and raised by your opponents in a suit contract you play? Probably not as useful as their 3 points suggest. What about Kx is a suit bid one of your opponents? Sure it would be worth more, on average, if your right hand opponent bid it instead of you left hand opponent. OF course the missing Ace might be in partner's hand, but on the average this king is not worth its full 3 point value. Then 9's and 8's are also need to be factored into hand evaluation. But when addressing a lot of players, and not wanting to spend a lot of time on counting points, Bergen's method can't be beat, and Mr Bergen wrote a two year long series in the ACBL bulletin that touches on a lot of adjustments.

@@inquiry3612 I see. Thanks for the reply. So following up, which method would you suggest a person with a clean slate and willing to learn adopt? In other words, if prior familiarity with a certain system were not a factor?

If you truly are new

Consider starting by reading a taste of bridge by Jeff Bayonne understand that there is a huge difference between evaluating a hand that you think belongs in no Trump verses evaluating a hand that you believe is good for a suit contract.

In terms of the methods used in this video, study them enough to understand them and then apply them without actually counting. Pick up your hand look at it evaluated in terms of what you've just learned instinctively rather than with a calculator and then do what feels right. Save your point counting for balanced hands that you think a no-trump bid or response or even in some instances of a really good no Trump hand an overall

Glad it was helpful! Makes it well worth doing this if people find it useful.

I appreciate that!