M4 can be estimated by increasing M2 by 1/3. Keep in mind that this estimate will slightly under-value the hand in the case of "freak" distribution (where M4 is greater than 14) because M2 is only 60 percent of M4 for such wild distribution. This only occurs 0.8 percent of the time. Minor adjustments To improve the accuracy of the point count, standard "judgment" adjustments can be used, such as: Concentration: with 15+ HCP add 1 point if all the HCP are concentrated in three suits; with 11-14 HCP add 1 point if all of the HCP are concentrated in two suits. Short honors: subtract one point for short suit honors like KQ or QJ Spade suit: With 25 Zars and the suit is spades, 1 point may be added. Finesse: subtract or add a point for honors in opponents' suits depending on whether they are on or off side Unguarded Honors: discount honors in short suits bid by opponents Support: add one point for each honor in partner's suit (up to two) Strategic adjustments Zar Points are designed with rubbers scoring in mind. When playing for matchpoints, it is desirable to bid any game or small slam that has a 50 percent chance of making. To do this, slight adjustments to the ZP required per level need to be made. The result is that intermediate values are slightly off from the 5-point scale suggested below. 44 ZP — 8 tricks 48 ZP — 9 tricks 52 ZP — 10 tricks 56 ZP — 11 tricks 61 ZP — 12 tricks 67 ZP — 13 tricks When playing using IMPs, a game should be bid with a 38 percent chance when vulnerable, but only bid a 46 percent game when not vulnerable. This adjustment shifts the ZP required for game and slam one point down when vulnerable or not vulnerable. Bidding levels and Zar Point requirements Once adjustments have been made, an opening hand requires 26 ZP and a responding hand needs 16 ZP; a major suit game requires 52 ZP, a small slam requires 62 ZP and a grand slam requires 67. Bidding levels are five points apart yielding: Two level – 42 i.e. 26 + 16 Three level – 47 Four level – 52 Five level – 57 Six level – 62 Seven level – 67 This scale does not need to be memorized. To arrive at the