If you are tired of watching your opponents pick up one huge hand after another, consider introducing Colin's Cardracking Compensation Corollary ("CCCC" or "4C") into your group's scoring methods. In design, it is very simple: Add up the number of High Card Points ("HCPs") of the two partnerships. Subtract the lower total from the higher to arrive at a HCP differential. Now, if the pair with the greater number of HCPs is vulnerable, award 50 points to their opponents for each HCP in the differential. If the pair with the stronger hands is not vulnerable, award their less fortunate opponents 35 points for each HCP in the differential. Of course, this compensation will be recorded above the line. Allow me to illustrate with a few examples: North-South held 26 HCPs on the hand just completed. East-West, then, held (40 - 26 = 14) 14 HCPs. If N-S were vulnerable, East-West would be compensated: 26 - 14 = 12 12 x 50 = 600 600 "just happens" to be exactly what a vulnerable 3NT would be worth! If North-South were not vulnerable in the above example, E-W would be compensated: 26 - 14 = 12 12 x 35 = 420 420 "just happens" to be exactly what a non-vulnerable 4H or 4S would be worth! East-West pick up 33 HCPs. If E-W are vulnerable, North-South would be compensated: 33 - 7 = 26 26 x 50 = 1300 While not quite the 1430 or 1440 that East-West may be chalking up, these 1300 points are a reasonably accurate reflection of the difficulties and inherent dangers in reaching any small slam. After all, not all 33 HCP small slams are destined to make! A Final Word In order to facilitate the accurate recording of HCPs after each hand it is suggested that you keep track of the tricks in "duplicate" fashion (by putting the cards played face down in front of each player, vertically if a trick won, horizontally if lost) rather than the more traditional "rubber" custom of throwing cards into the center. This will also help resolve any disputes regarding possible revokes and aid in many post mortems. Please CLICK HERE to email us your comments. Remember: Your comments are what this page is all about! Back to Colin's Bridge Page Back to the Ward's Home Page Go to The Canadian Bridge Federation Page Go to The Bridge World Magazine Web Page
If you are tired of watching your opponents pick up one huge hand after another, consider introducing Colin's Cardracking Compensation Corollary ("CCCC" or "4C") into your group's scoring methods. In design, it is very simple: Add up the number of High Card Points ("HCPs") of the two partnerships. Subtract the lower total from the higher to arrive at a HCP differential. Now, if the pair with the greater number of HCPs is vulnerable, award 50 points to their opponents for each HCP in the differential. If the pair with the stronger hands is not vulnerable, award their less fortunate opponents 35 points for each HCP in the differential. Of course, this compensation will be recorded above the line. Allow me to illustrate with a few examples: North-South held 26 HCPs on the hand just completed. East-West, then, held (40 - 26 = 14) 14 HCPs. If N-S were vulnerable, East-West would be compensated: 26 - 14 = 12 12 x 50 = 600 600 "just happens" to be exactly what a vulnerable 3NT would be worth! If North-South were not vulnerable in the above example, E-W would be compensated: 26 - 14 = 12 12 x 35 = 420 420 "just happens" to be exactly what a non-vulnerable 4H or 4S would be worth! East-West pick up 33 HCPs. If E-W are vulnerable, North-South would be compensated: 33 - 7 = 26 26 x 50 = 1300 While not quite the 1430 or 1440 that East-West may be chalking up, these 1300 points are a reasonably accurate reflection of the difficulties and inherent dangers in reaching any small slam. After all, not all 33 HCP small slams are destined to make!
In order to facilitate the accurate recording of HCPs after each hand it is suggested that you keep track of the tricks in "duplicate" fashion (by putting the cards played face down in front of each player, vertically if a trick won, horizontally if lost) rather than the more traditional "rubber" custom of throwing cards into the center. This will also help resolve any disputes regarding possible revokes and aid in many post mortems. Please CLICK HERE to email us your comments. Remember: Your comments are what this page is all about! Back to Colin's Bridge Page Back to the Ward's Home Page Go to The Canadian Bridge Federation Page Go to The Bridge World Magazine Web Page
Please CLICK HERE to email us your comments.
