Pearson Points Suck

[KiwiFraser]

A few months ago I posted a query about what to do fourth in hand with xx/xx/AK10xx/AJxx. I passed and was told that I should have opened - which, as P had mis-counted his 12-count, resulted in a missed game.

Playing over the weekend I had two more: one was a reasonable balanced 12-count with doubleton spade, the second was a 5332 10-count with five spades. I followed Pearson Points both times and went minus on both (though on the second, for reasons best known to herself, RHO had passed her sound weak notrump).

So I'd like to know whether anyone follows Pearson Points, and if they do, whether they have any success with them.

(Pearson points = number of HCP + number of spades. You need 15 Pearson Points to open the bidding fourth in hand - apparently.)

[sartaj]

I am not naming him, but you can guess who, opened in 4th chair on

xx
Ax
KJ10xxx
Qxx

And soon was writing down -790.

[Peter]

I don't know if I contributed to Fraser's previous post on this topic.

In my opinion Pearson Points are a relic from the 20th Century.

I teach my clients that what matters is the number of tricks we will take against their spade or heart contract. On average, each player has three and a quarter of the 13 tricks. If you have more than that - i.e. any potential for three and a half tricks in defence - then it does not matter that they will play the spades. On average, you will get their spade contract down, so you should open with the hand with the defensive tricks in it.

Low high card point contracts by the other side will make only if they have the quick tricks, not if they have a profusion of side queens and jacks.

Both Fraser's and Sartaj's examples support this philosophy. Nor surprisingly.

Peter Gill.

[dave_w]

Pearson points are a guidline of what you should be taking in to account when opening in 4th chair. It's all about SPADES, and what's going to happen in a competitive auction.

I'd much rather have a singleton spade than 2 small spades. Trumps are breaking badly for the opponents unless they have a 10 card fit. We are more likely to be able to successfully outbid the opponent by bidding and making at 3 level over their 2 Spades.

Some hands with singleton Spades should still be passed in, especially if they lead to rebid problems. Eg. x Axx AKJx Jxxxx - although some might like a 1D opening and 2C rebid if that's their style.

[Peter]

I really like Dave's point about one or two spades in 4th seat, an idea which is new to me. However, I would open x Axx AKJx Jxxxx in 4th seat - with my three quick tricks I think it figures to be our hand in 3C or 3D, and they figure to go light in 3S.

And if partner has A109x, xxx, Qx, KQxx, 2NT probably making an overtrick, after my 1NT rebid, will be OK.

Peter Gill.