Hand Evaluation

Question 1

What is the rule of 20?

Answer 1

It is used by the opening bidder to decide whether to open at the 1-level?
You add the length of your two-longest suits to your HCPs and then open if that total is at least 20 total points.

Question 2

How do we count starting points?

Answer 2

To your HCP, add 1 point for every card beyond the fourth in each suit.

Question 3

How do you count dummy points?

Answer 3

You eliminate starting points. Then,
For every doubleton, add 1 point;
For every singleton, add 2 points if you have 3 trumps, or 3 points if you have 4+ trumps; and
For every void, add the number of trumps that you have.

Question 4

How do you count declarer points?

Answer 4

You keep starting points and add to it as follows:
1 point for every trump beyond the fifth trump;
1 point for every 2 doubletons (but nothing for just 1-doubleton);
2 points for a singleton; and
4 points for a void

Question 5

What adjustments do you make for high cards in short suits?

Answer 5

You subtract 1 HCP for a singleton K, Q or J.
Also, you subtract 1 point for doubletons with KQ, KJ, Qx, or Jx.