Hand Evaluation

Hand evaluation?  A hand is worth whatever the point count says it is, no?

NO!

It's 'worth' something only in context of the bidding at the time.
You may start with point's, but they're only useful until the
bidding starts.  Then the value of your hand changes
with every call by partner or opponent.

Drop any habitual counting of points and then sticking with that
number throughout the auction.  Relative point value of
a hand can easily go up and/or down 100% during an auction.

Hand evaluation - - actually hand re-evaluation -- is a skill
you must develop and work on every time you play.

(c) Robert D. McConnell, 1998  All Rights Reserved