[blml] Decimal HCP ranges.

[Nigel]

[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.

[nige1]
If I understand Tim's *decimal* notation, I like it is better than the 
*bracket* notation; which is better than the *plus* notation; which in 
turn is better than the *true range (unqualified)*; and almost 
anything is better than a partial range :)

But I'm not sure I've completely got to grips with Tim's decimal 
notation. Please would Tim clarify a possible misunderstanding for me
by checking the following summary and examples (all to *one decimal 
place*)

SUMMARY: By evaluating other relevant factors according to your agreed 
methods, you can order the eligible hands with a given raw HCP from 
worst to best.  Presumably the worst hands with a given HCP are at the 
bottom of each one point range and the best at the top for example 
12.0 might be QJ2 QJ2 QJ2 QJ32 whereas 12.9 might be ATxxx ATx KTx Kx

EXAMPLE A. You open over 90% of otherwise eligible 17 counts but 
nothing else. Surely your decimal range is not *17.0-17.0 HCP* but 
*17.0-17.9 HCP* or conceivably *17.1-18.0 HCP?

EXAMPLE B. You open 30% or otherwise eligible 14 HCP hands and 90% of 
otherwise eligible 17 HCP hands. Surely, your decimal range is not 
*14.7-17.0 HCP* but *14.7-17.9 HCP*?

EXAMPLE C. Like me, you open 20% of otherwise eligible 15 HCP hands 
and 10% of otherwise eligible 18 HCP hands. IMO, your decimal range 
*15.8-18.1 HCP*?

EXAMPLE D. You open less that 5% of otherwise eligible 14 HCP hands 
and less than 5% of otherwise eligible 18 HCP hands. Surely your 
decimal range is not *15.0-17.0 HCP* but *15.0-18.0 HCP*?

As the last example shows, when a percentage is under 5%, Tim's 
notation allows the occasional partial range to slip in under the back 
door.

Hitherto, I would have argued that the true range in example [D] is 
*14-18 HCP*; but since no BLMLer agrees with my opinion, I am happy to 
compromise and accept a decimal range of 15.0-18.0 HCP :)

Tim's suggestion is non-intuitive in some ways. Nevertheless, IMO, it 
deserves to be enshrined in the law-book because it would enforce a 
beautifully simple uniform basis for disclosure.

Thank you again Tim! We Walrus of the World salute you!