ZAR Distribution Points

ZAR Distribution Points An easier way to calculate

#1 DenisO

Group: Full Members
Posts: 399
Joined: 2003-February-23
Gender:Male
Location:BOLTON, ENGLAND

Posted 2004-May-19, 23:38

In ZAR's excellent articles the Distributional ZAR points are calculated from:

(a+ b ) + (a-d)

An equivalent mathematical form is (2a +b -d)

which I find is much easier to calculate eg

for a 6421 distribution you have to calculate only (2*6 + 4 - 1) =15

which I think you will find is easier (mentally) to do than
(6 + 4) + (6 - 1) = (10 +5) = 15

Try it and see if it works for you. One of the main criticisms of ZAR points relates to complexity and difficulty of use at the table. This little aid might make a difference to you

Denis

#2 Zar

Group: Full Members
Posts: 153
Joined: 2004-April-03

Posted 2004-May-20, 08:06

*** denis wrote: “An equivalent mathematical form is (2a +b -d) which I find is much easier to calculate eg”
<

Well, this easier way was first suggested by Jeff Rubens when we were putting together the article for The Bridge World (Jeff is The Bridge World editor). The way he changed and squeezed the article was amazing. His command on the language is stunning – actually “stunning” is too weak of a word – you simply cannot change A WORD of what he’s writing, you just feel totally helpless :-)

However, on the (2a + b – d) issue I was stubborn as a mule – “No, you cannot do that, period. You leave it as (a+

+ (a-d) so people understand what’s going on, they see that you add the length of your 2 longest suits to the difference in length of your longest and shortest suits – this reminds them that (a-d) is actually the SUM of the 3 suit-differences (a-

+ (b-c) + (c-d)”.

So we decided that he’ll leave the (2a + b – d) as an editorial remark. BUT – most people use this short version of (2a + b – d) in life, actually – turned out Jeff was right again :-)

After awhile though, you just stop counting shape points – when I open the cards and see 5-4-3-1, I know it’s 13, while 4-4-3-2 is 10 etc. You just “know” it the way you know that AKJ is 8, or KQJ is 6 etc. Just a matter of practice.

ZAR

#3 Zar

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Posts: 153
Joined: 2004-April-03

Posted 2004-June-01, 21:45

I just ran the Part Score and 3NT boards from the Standard GIB boards and you can have a look at the base thread "Zar Points - useful or waste of energy".

It sheds a light on the impact of distributive points in the evaluation.

Cheers:

ZAR

#4 Zar

Group: Full Members
Posts: 153
Joined: 2004-April-03

Posted 2004-June-30, 20:09

<html xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"
xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word"
xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">

<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=windows-1252">
<meta name=ProgId content=Word.Document>
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 9">
<meta name=Originator content="Microsoft Word 9">
<link rel=File-List href="./Good%20morning_files/filelist.xml">
<title>Good morning, guys:</title>

<style>

</style>
</head>

<body lang=EN-US style='tab-interval:.5in'>

<div class=Section1>

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>

Hi, guys:

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>

I am trying to post the numbers in HTML this time so the
tables are not screwdup – Hrothgar suggested this approach.

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>

The Offensive Bidding numbers for Zar Points have been
posted to the main Zar Points thread “Zar Points – useful or waste of energy”
while the defensive bidding numbers are in the “Competitive Bidding” thread for
Zar Points.

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>

As I mentioned, IF you are interested, the corresponding
numbers for:

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>

<![if !supportLists]>-        
<![endif]>Goren offensive;

<![if !supportLists]>-        
<![endif]>Goren defensive;

<![if !supportLists]>-        
<![endif]>Milton (HCP) offensive;

<![if !supportLists]>-        
<![endif]>Milton (HCP) defensive;

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>

are also available. They would enable you to “check” the
probabilities against the overloading of the bids in your system – you might be
surprised by the picture.

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>

Let me know if this wouldn’t be “too much” for the purposes
of this forum.

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>

Cheers:

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>

ZAR

<![if !supportEmptyParas]> <![endif]><o:p></o:p>

</div>

</body>

</html>

#5 Zar

Group: Full Members
Posts: 153
Joined: 2004-April-03

Posted 2004-June-30, 20:11

Oops ...

Glad I tested the HTML posting with a short message first.

Here is the text, and the results will be posted in the "Quotes" way that Ben suggested.

Sorry again - check the Competitivie Bidding thread for the numbers posted.

Cheers:

ZAR

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