In bridge, distributional points are used to evaluate the strength of a hand beyond just high-card points (HCP). They play a crucial role in bidding decisions, especially when considering suit contracts.
Distributional points assess the trick-taking potential of a hand based on the length of suits. This is particularly important in suit contracts, where long suits can create extra tricks.
This method values shortages (singletons and voids), which help develop tricks when partner has length in the suit:
This system is used mainly when raising partner’s suit, as short suits make ruffing possible.
Long suits can also generate extra tricks. This method rewards long suits rather than shortages:
This method is typically used when evaluating the strength of your own hand for opening or rebidding.
- If you have a balanced hand, you rely mostly on HCP.
- If you have an unbalanced hand (5-4-3-1, 6-3-2-2, etc.), you factor in distributional points when deciding whether to upgrade a hand.
Example: Partner opens 1♠, and you have KJ75 ♥8 ♦AQ983 ♣652.
- Without distribution, this hand is 10 HCP.
- With a singleton heart (3 points), it’s effectively 13 points—enough for an invitational 3♠ bid.
Distributional hands with long suits are strong in preemptive bidding because they make it harder for opponents to bid accurately.
Example: A 7-card suit with a weak hand can justify opening with a preempt (e.g., 3♦, 3♠, etc.).
Hands with extreme shape (e.g., 6-5-1-1 or 7-4-2-0) may be worth far more than HCP suggest.
In such cases, distributional strength can push a hand to game/slam even if it has fewer than the usual high-card points.
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