Table 1 Feature Point value High card points Ace 4 King 3 Queen 2 Jack 1 Distribution points Void 3 Singleton 2 Doubleton 1

The point count is the fundamental method of hand evaluation now used in the card game of bridge. It consists of high card points plus distribution points (except when bidding notrump). See table 1.

For example, the hand:

♠	A K 4 3 2
♥	7 5
♦	Q 6 4
♣	K 8 5

evaluates to 12 high card points (an ace, two kings, and a queen). Unless a notrump contract is being considered, add one point for the doubleton in hearts for a total of 13 points.

This article briefly describes the distributional point count introduced by William Anderson of Toronto and adopted/developed by Charles Goren in the 1940s. Several other distributional point count valuations are in use, which may assign point values to long suits instead of or in addition to short suits. One such system awards one point for a five card suit and one additional point for each additional card in the same suit. Which to use is a matter of personal preference and experience.

The basic point count should be adjusted based on several factors. High cards combined in one suit are worth more than the same value cards scattered in two or more suits. High cards in long suits are worth more than in short suits. Distribution is worth more when you have found a golden fit with partner, that is, a suit in which you both have length and that will become the trump suit.

The point count is used to determine the level of the contract a partnership should try to reach on each deal (see table 2). A partscore is any contract less than game. The game contracts are three notrump, four of a major suit (Spades or Hearts), and five of a minor suit (Diamonds or Clubs). A small slam is a contract for six and a grand slam is a contract for seven, in any suit or in notrump.

Table 2 Points Level < 26 Partscore 26 - 32 Game 33 - 36 Small slam ≥ 37 Grand slam

It is not uncommon for players to reduce these requirements by a point. For example, many partnerships will bid game with only 25 points. Also, note that game in a minor suit usually requires 29 points rather than 26 (it takes at least 9 tricks to win a game in No Trump; 10 tricks for a major suit; 11 tricks for a minor suit). In any event, the point count does not guarantee that a partnership will make its contract at the recommended level?it is just a guideline based on what works in most cases.

The various bids in a partnership's agreed bidding system will reveal each player's point count (within a certain range) and this information is used to determine how high to bid. For example, in Standard American, an opening bid of one in a suit shows 13 (or more) points; a subsequent response of one in a new suit shows six (or more) points and two in a new, lower ranking suit shows 10 (or more) points. When your partner opens the bidding with one of a suit, and you hold 13 to 18 points, you know that you should strive to bid a game; if you hold 19 or more points, you should strive to bid a slam.

References

• Francis, Henry; Truscott, Alan; & Francis, Dorthy (Eds.), (1994). The Official Encyclopedia of Bridge (5th Ed.). Memphis, TN: American Contract Bridge League Inc. ISBN 0-943855-48-9.