[rhenry]

It's well known that Aces are undervalued and Jacks are overvalued for suit play in the 4-3-2-1 point count. It's possible to do better!

I use a scheme where A = 1.5, K = 1, Q = 0.5, and, for short suits, doubleton = 0.5, singleton = 1.5, void = 2. (but devalue singletons and voids in partner's strong suits)

To find your optimum level, add your count to partner's count (shown by her bidding) and then add one more to get your level.

Example 1. North: 65432 5 AQ8 AK4
South 987 A87 K72 Q653

North has 4.5 in Honor Count plus 1.5 in distributions count or 6.
South has 3 honor count and 0 distribution count.

The total is 6 + 3 = 9, and we get 9+1 as the trick estimate. or 10 tricks. in a spade contract.

More examples will appear in later posts, which will be hands play on BridgeBase.

[Echognome]

So...

Axxxx Axxx --- Axxx = 4.5 for 3 As plus 2 for distribution = 6.5

Kxxx Kxxxx Axxx --- = 3.5 for A and 2 Ks and 2 for distribution = 5.5

Total is 12, so adding one we should try for grand.

Milton Work count is 12 + 3 = 15 and 10 + 3 = 13 for a total of 28 and suggests playing in game.