Advanced hand evaluation - Introduction

Hand evaluation = process of evaluating the strength of your cards.

Acquire expert knowledge

  • Every expert's decision is based on precise data. Learn how to assess your hand even better and switch from estimates to precision.
  • Experts think faster and more efficiently, allowing them to focus on other game elements. Choose the hand evaluation method that is the easiest and most precise at the specific moment. 

Why should you take this course?

  • This 7-lesson course is a must for any bridge player who wants to play more often and win frequently.
  • You will upgrade all fundamental skills and make them more precise.
  • You will learn to identify the hand types/patterns, which will help you not only in bidding, but you will also excel in defense. 
  • You will learn how to make the declarer plan before you even set the final contract. That will significantly shorten your thinking time as a declarer, allowing you to focus on what is happening around the table. Seeing the opponents sweat feels good and provides more information for even better decision-making.

Bridge probabilities

Look at the relevant probabilities. Maybe they can help you decide better in situations when you can't gather more relevant data.

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Remember

  • The standard presumption of trick distribution is 7 with primary honors, 3 with secondary honors and 3 with small cards.

  • You will score more length tricks in trump contracts – 3+ LT. The honors in the declarer's/dummy's short suit are less valuable.

  • Start by evaluating the distribution, then continue with honor strength. Hand type/pattern is the first indicator of hand orientation, and it tells us which evaluation method to choose.

  • Expected Honor Tricks (EHT) are the most precise estimation for NT contracts.

  • Primary and Secondary Honors (P-SH) are honor strength indicators that limit our maximum potential.

  • Theoretical Losers (TL) in combination with Useful Honors (UH) and Trump Adjustments (TA) are the best methods when we find a fit and play trump contracts. We can already start using these methods when supporting the partner's 5+ card suit.

Lesson overview