Hand evaluation
Hand Evaluation in Bridge
How to count a bridge hand: high-card points, length and shortness points, quick tricks, the adjustments experts make, and how many points game and slam need.
The Rule of 20
The rule of 20 says open the bidding when your high-card points plus the lengths of your two longest suits reach 20. How it works, the rule of 22 refinement, and hands at the border.
The Losing Trick Count
The losing trick count helps you judge the right level after you find a trump fit: count losers in each suit, add partner's, subtract from 24. The method, its adjustments and worked examples.
The Rule of 17
After partner opens a weak two, add your HCP to your cards in their suit. At 17 or more look for game with 2NT. Below 17 pass or raise to obstruct.
Pearson points and the rule of 15
The rule of 15 in bridge: add your HCP to your ♠ and open in fourth seat on 15 or more. Worked hands, the rule of 20 compared and a practice game.
The law of total tricks
The law of total tricks in bridge: bid to the level of your trumps, how to count them, the adjustments, and how accurate the law really is.