Jlall, on Mar 10 2006, 04:54 PM, said:
Note pearson points only apply if the opening is marginal. Obviously a 0643 14 count would be opened. I've always found pearson points to be among the more silly evaluation schemes. For instance, it forgets about the heart suit. People don't always have a spade fit, so if you have short hearts that should come into the equation.
Amen. I have literly seen people pass out: - AKQJxxx Axxx xx after mumbling something about peirson.
And as justin points out: Opening Axxx Kxxx x KJxx
is a much better idea than opening Axxx x Kxxx KJxx since you have 2 suits that outrank your short suit in the 1'st example, but only 1 in your second (e.g. you are more likely to be about to out compete the opps and go plus with the first hand than with the second).
So the way I see it:
Open if its a clear opener
If its an absolutely bare min opener or less, look at pierson
If still unsure, look to see how many hearts you have and pass if the answer is less than 3...