Hand evaluation

Hand evaluation is at the heart of every bidding decision. Point count is a useful starting point but it is definitely not the whole story. It is important to understand losing trick count, and also to generally improve your judgment when you pick up a distributional hand and have a big trump fit with partner. As the auction develops, point count will become much less relevant, there will be "good points" and "bad points", in context to the auction.

Fits and misfits are important to handle correctly, generally we are misfitting when our points are opposite partner's shortage and vice versa - in such a situation we should be putting on the brakes. On the other hand, points opposite partner's long suit are "gold".

Practise hand evaluation in the trainer
Interactive practice hands

Work through it

  1. 1
    Hand Evaluation: Why Card Texture MattersAdvanced
  2. 2
    Hand Evaluation: Re-Evaluate as the Auction DevelopsAdvanced
  3. 3
    Hand Evaluation: Do More with a Good SuitAdvanced
  4. 4
    Hand Evaluation: Do Less with a Weak Trump SuitAdvanced
  5. 5
    9 Card trump fit does it matter?Advanced
  6. 6
    Loser Count for Bidding: Judge Contracts BetterAdvanced
  7. 7
    Should You Invite with 11? Practical GuideAdvanced
  8. 8
    Counting Combined Points in Bridge: When to Bid Game, Part-Score, or PassFundamentals
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