The Basics. Counting is fundamental to everything in Duplicate.
An example of the mental process in point counting:
Examples of Balancing Sequences"North opened, so he has about 13 minimum. South raised one, so she has 5 to 8 points. They tried to stop bidding at 2¨. I have 9 HCP, so my partner must have about 10. With 10 points, mostly in the suits the opponents didn't bid, we should have a good shot at 2ª or go down only one,
etc. "
N E S W
1§ P 2§ P
P 2ª P P
3§ < -- The "Push" taken by North. Double might be better.
N E S W
1© P 1NT P
2§ P P 2
¨ <-- Balancing, but where's the Spades?N E S W
1NT P 2¨ P
2
© P P DblP 2ª P P
3
© < --- The "Push" taken by NorthN E S W
1¨ P 1NT P
2§ P P 2
© <-- Balancing by WestP P Dbl P
P
P! <-- May be trouble or may score a game making only 8 tricks.East, don't even think about some 'rescue' bid. West knew he would be doubled - trust him.
(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998 All Rights Reserved