I just had to discuss this hand because a number of our junior players from Wednesday have been asking, and it is important that they understand the points system of evaluating the potential of any hand you hold, and why getting what I call ‘point fixated’ by basing all your bidding on points is not the way to get the best results. There is also an ulterior motive, because this particular deal is another that would be ideally handled by those who have taken up my “Evil Acol” way of bidding. So, let’s take a look:
Board 18 from Wednesday 09/01/2019.
Dealer E NS Vul
The East hand has 15 high card points but is HUGE in potential. The best way I can persuade you of its strength is to suggest you do an experiment: deal out the East hand and then randomly deal out the other three. Do that ten times. How many times out of ten would the EW hands be able to make either 6C or 6S?