[blml] adjudication

[Tim West-Meads]

Nigel wrote:
> 
> Most players agree that is a fair attempt at honest disclosure to 
> declare a *14-17 HCP* as *14+-17 HCP* if you open few 14 HCP hands.
> 
> I heartily approve of the practice, and fully accept that it is much 
> more useful and helpful than any unqualified range.
> 
> I slightly prefer the notation *(14)15-17 HCP* proposed, I think, by 
> Tim West-Meads.

The two are, IMO, different.

14+ - 17 means one opens about 50% of 14 counts (but not about 5% of 15s)
(14)- 17 means one opens around 15-20% of 14s (and not about 15% of 15s)
"About 15-17" means maybe 5% of 14s and 5% of 18s.

I also use decimal variants (11.5-14, 14.7-17).  Indeed Chien Fou and 
self had an argument about whether our 3rd/4th seat SNT should be 
14.7-17 or 14.8 to 17.  We left the CC as 14.7-17 on the grounds that I 
open 14.7 while he opens 14.8 (despite the fact that I play the cards at 
least 0.4 better than him) due to limited space. The decimal notation 
has the advantage of being orally reproducible but the key thing (IMO) 
is giving walrii and novices and indication that one is (by their 
standards) deviant.

Tim