[blml] Fwd: Decimal HCP ranges.

[Eric Landau]

On Jul 2, 2007, at 8:58 AM, Sven Pran wrote:

>> On Behalf Of Tim West-Meads
>> Eric wrote:
>>
>>> I like the notation, but I would read the fraction as probabilistic
>>> rather than evaluative.
>>
>> Not unreasonable, but not ideal either.  I upgrade about 40% of 11
>> counts and downgrade about 10% of twelve counts  - is that a
>> probabilistic value of 11.6 or 11.9 (or c11.7)?
>>
>> I don't think there is a perfect method of disclosure which will suit
>> everyone but I'm pretty sure that even the most hard-bitten
>> walrus/greenest novice will realise he might need to ask a  
>> question if
>> the CC uses decimal points, or brackets, or %ages, or mini-graphs of
>> probability curves.
>
> Why not use what I believe has become the "standard" way of noting  
> possible
> up- or down-grading?
>
> 1NT: (14)15 - 17(18)

There is nothing wrong with that standard, but BLML, where we seek  
perfection through dialectic, has decided to have a go at coming up  
with a more informative notation.  The problem we seek to solve, such  
as it is, is that the notation above can mean different things to  
different people.  "14(15)-..." can mean:

(a) Our range starts with "good" 14-counts; it does not include "bad"  
14-counts.

(b) Our range is somewhat fungible; we open 14-counts that feel like  
15-counts and pass 15-counts that feel like 14-counts.

(c) Our range generally starts at 15, but we will upgrade  
particularly good-looking 14-counts.

There are even some in this forum who argue that it could properly mean:

(d) We really play 15-..., but one of us opened a 14-count once  
several years ago.

Sensible souls may argue that it should always mean (a), since  
agreements (b) and (c) -- which are closer in meaning to Sven's  
"possible up- or down-grading" -- are "just bridge" and should be  
assumed as obvious when one writes "15-..."  But that fails to  
satisfy the walrus lobby, who want "15" to mean "15, period", and  
feel cheated by pairs who fail to disclose that they actually mean  
(b) or (c).  We seek a way to satisfy both camps.


Eric Landau
1107 Dale Drive
Silver Spring MD 20910
ehaa at starpower.net