Leaderboard

X then cue then spades > X then 4♠ = direct 4♠ > X then 3♠ = 3♠. Doubling first shows a different hand type for me; it's more of a flexible hand than a one-suiter. For example, X then 3♠ is typically 5233 or 51(43) with a big hand (typically around 18-21 hcp). A direct jump to 3♠ shows an excellent 6-card suit or better, with around 8-9 tricks (likely 16-19 or so hcp). I'd say the playing strength of 3♠ vs. X then 3♠ is about the same, though the double (with a flatter hand) normally has more in raw high cards.

Is there any merit to playing inverted minors in an Acol context? (12-14 NT, 4 card majors) I was brainstorming a bit tonight with one of my partners, and came up with this: 1♣ - 2♣; 11+ natural - 10+ points, denies a 4 card major unless game forcing. 2♦; Any game force. 2♥♠; Natural minimum. 2NT; Minimum with diamonds. 3♣; Minimum, 6+ clubs. 1♦ - 2♦; 11+ natural - 10+ points, denies a 4 card major unless game forcing. 2♥; Any game force. 2♠; Natural minimum. 2NT; Minimum with hearts. 3♣; Minimum with clubs. 3♦; Minimum, 6+ diamonds. I'm not sure what the best follow ups after 1♣ - 2♣; 2♦ and 1♦ - 2♦; 2♥ would be. I assume that bids above 3♣/♦ should show distributional 15+ hands. Would it be better to put all the minimums into the first step, and have all higher steps show extras instead? Constructive criticism and alternative schemes welcome.

Sorry if you think I am asking a silly question since I don't quite know much about BBO... I want to ask that how can I become a TD in BBO?? :blink: Is that I need to join any private club or what should be required?? Thanks a lot!!! :)

[hv=pc=n&s=saqjhkjtd4caqj974&d=e&v=0&b=14&a=p1cp1hp]133|200[/hv] Do you take the High Road or Low Road? Thanks! :unsure:

Those are the hands : [hv=pc=n&w=sakj73hkq83dt4ca7&e=sth9754dakq83ckq2&d=s&v=0&b=11&a=p1sp2cp3np]266|200|Matchpoints[/hv] 1♠ is 11-22 hcp 5+♠, 2♣ a GF relay .... 3NT : 5422 10+ slam points (123 points) At this stage(4♣ is SP ask, 4♦ terminator, 4♥, 4♠, 4NT are optionnal BW in respectively ♠, ♥ and ♣), if one decides to forget about a grand slam and focuses on ♥ quality, I can see 2 or 3 ways to put that matter in the spotlight : As 4♦ followed by pass on 4♥ would be SO, one could bid on 3NT : a) 5♥ b) 4♦ followed by 5♥ c) 4♣ (if response is 4 red) followed by 5♥ What message/ask would u assess to each sequence? (a gradation of ♥ quality only, or a mix of ♥ qual. and min/max hand, any other?)

[hv=pc=n&s=st9743hd8752cj542&d=w&v=n&b=2&a=1s2hppdpp?]133|200[/hv]

[hv=pc=n&s=sakqt6hq942dckqj3&n=sj82hat8dk7532cat&d=n&v=e&b=9&a=1dp1sp1np2c(roudi)2d2h(minimum%20with%203%20spades)p6sppp]266|200[/hv] Unscientific auction, LHO leads ♦A, RHO plays ♦10

[hv=d=n&v=0&b=1&a=pp1n(12-14)2c(Majors)2h(Natural)d(???)]133|100[/hv]

I'm not sure how I feel about the way I handled this one, opinions? MPs, NV vs. V, opponents are one of the better pairs in a club game of respectable standard [hv=pc=n&s=s653hq942dj986ct5&d=e&v=e&b=6&a=1sp2c(GF)2s(undiscussed%2C%20presumably%20red%20suits)3cp3sp4np5c(I didn't ask)p6s7cd7hdppp]133|200[/hv]

My opponents once had the auction 1NT-2NT-6NT making. The 1nt bidder forgot they opened the bidding and thought partners invite was a 2nt opener so 20+16 meant 6nt. They each had running suits and the finesses were on so the 25 high card point slam made.

hard to imagine a hand where 5c is superior to 5s and p has no clue we have a solid suit. We cannot bid 6c since we have no clue if there are 2 heart losers off the top but we can certainly tell p about our wonderful spade suit. Who knows where the contact will go from there but we have most likely improved our score (especially after x club ruff heart club ruff heart club ruff sigh)

Cannot blame North for rebidding 2NT, if intended as Leben with that collection of cards which are not in hearts or spades. South gets it, since 6C over 5C would seem automatic. South has not even shown 4 cards in clubs and got a leap raise. North must have a lot of clubs, which is really all we need.

Unless 1S is alerted as non-forcing, I would pass. I am more likely to want to play in diamonds than in NT, and passing first allows me to bid diamonds naturally later.

[hv=sn=stephtu&s=SA4HAKT9DQ64CA975&wn=Robot&w=S9H84DAKT8752CKJ3&nn=Robot&n=SJ73HJ753DJ3CQT86&en=Robot&e=SKQT8652HQ62D9C42&d=n&v=n&b=5&a=P3S(Preempt -- 7+ S%3B 9- HCP%3B 5+ 8421 HCP in S%3B 6+ total points)D(Takeout double -- 3-5 C%3B 3-5 D%3B 3-4 H%3B 2)P4C(4+ C%3B 11- HCP%3B 12- total points)PPP]400|300[/hv] I realize nothing makes on this hand, but I've always had the attitude that it's more dignified to go down in game :). Priority should go to unbid 4 cd majors over 4cd minors, certainly, and even over longer minors, as long as you are below 5 level IMO. Makes it a lot easier when doubler has a much stronger hand and 4h and 4c both make; doubler can hardly bid 4h on 4. There was another hand, auction 1h-x-2h-x, where GIB had 4 cd spade and resp-x. Again I want to reiterate with 4 cd major bid it, responsive double should = minors in this position?

I'm not sure he has a "complete method" . All I know is that he first suggested the 2S!-jump as an artificial force ( only ) over a 1H response .... and I liked it ... and "ran with it " ... He subsequently has disavowed any credit for it's origin. The 2S!-jump definitely is a "cheaper" bid than a 3C-jump or 2NT-jump and neither of those are game-forcing . - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Here is a similar post from February of this year : http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/topic/51249-would-your-auction-be-the-same-as-ours/

FWIW, in our system: 1♣ (1) - 1♦ (2); 1=16+ any; 2=GF 1N (3) - 2♣ (relay) ;3=Majors 3C (4) - 4♣ (5) ;4=5-4-2-2; 5=RKC ♥s 4♥ (5) - 4♠ (6) ;5=0/3; 6=Q♥ ask 5♦ (7) - ?? ; Q♥, K♠ At this point responder pretty much has to sign off in 5♥ or commit to 6. I suppose an alternative is to use 3♦ (QP ask) and then jump to 5♥ over 3♠ (11 QPs), to say ask for trump suit quality, but we haven't discussed it. Frankly, as others have noted, it isn't an awful slam and I would expect company. On a good day, the card gods will confer the A♥ onside...

Yes, there is plenty of merit in playing inverted minors. It gives a lot more room for slam investigation. Furthermore, playing standard limit raises it is hard for Responder to show a game forcing hand with support. In your structure it is probably best to play step 1 as a shape relay after 1♣-2♣-2♦. Yes, I think it would be better to put all minimum hands in step 1. Then all of the other rebids can be played as game forcing. A simple alternative structure which works perfectly well is to play all of Opener's rebids as natural. 2NT=15+ balanced and is therefore FG. After 1♣-2♣-2♥(say), Responder bids 3♣ with a minimum inverted raise and other bids set up a game force.

Somebody told me they work better in an Acol context, so we are playing them, though yet to have a hand come up, I guess because the 1♣/1♦ openings are much rarer. But when it does... B-)

Whether to open 2♣ or 1♥ is a close call. But, assuming a 1♥ opening, my auction would be: Opener: 1♥ Responder: 2♣ (same reason as Phil stated) Opener: 2♥ (for me this shows six hearts) Responder: 3♥ (no reason to muddy waters by bidding spades) Opener: 3♠ (Ace, stiff, or void to Responder) Responder: 4♥ (not serious, not two top clubs, no diamond control) Opener: 4♠ (kickback) Responder: 5♣ (I have the heart King) Opener: 5♠ (kings?) Responder: 5NT (spade King) Opener: 6♣ (club King?) Responder: 7♣ (yes, and useful club Jack, no diamond King, no spade Queen) Opener: 7NT Opener bids an agressive 6♣ as a grand invite because Responder, if holding the club Jack, will have shown up with enough for 12 tricks already. To have a GF hand, the worst possible holding would be these honors but some 4-3-3-3, or perhaps a stray diamond Queen in there, which will make the grand in a terrible place at least on some hook or squeeze., but most holdings make the contract laydown. The worst holding is 4-3-3-3 pattern, with the same honors but the Queen of diamonds alone instead of the two pointed Jacks, which is the death holding. But, if Responder has a death holding he should probably bid 6♦ over 6♣, or 6NT, depending on style. Responder's 7♣ shgows the club Jack (he already denied two top clubs) and that the Jack is potrentially useful (4+ suit). It denies the spade Queen (would bid 6♠) and the diamond King (would bid the other of 6♦ or 6NT, dependoing on style). Note: after 6♣, Responder should be able to bid either 6♦ or 6NT as grand last train to confirm the club King but to show hesitance, IMO.

This morning, I did my grocery shopping with my wife. (We have the day off here.) When I tried to enter the store with my shopping cart, the store entrance was blocked by a group of 7 senior citizens, who were discussing their health and their grandchildren in a loud voice. And yes, they were standing right in front of the store entrance. When I asked them whether they could let me through, they ignored me completely. Finally, they moved over a little bit, so that I and the people behind me could just pass with our shopping carts. But, other than that, they just kept hanging in front of the entrance. If these would have been 15 year old boys, discussing their school teachers or -heaven forbid- the perceived loseness of some girl they know, the police would have been called long before. (And, here in The Netherlands, if these guys would have been ethnically moroccan, the police would have even arrived already.) I don't know why this is, but I find that, generally speaking, old people are a lot less tolerant towards young people than young people are towards old people. You would think that it would be easier for old people to remember when they were young than it would be for young people to envision their lifes when they are old. Maybe I will understand this when I am old myself. Rik

I guess I don't understand this position, isn't it even more anti-partnership to decide an action is +EV and then not take it? Or did I misunderstand what you wrote?

I wondered about this too, particularly we had the auction 1♦ - P - 1♥ - 2♥ - all pass on the previous board, but do you really want to make an overcall in opener's 5-card suit when they are in a GF? Some doubt about what 2♠ showed was why I didn't bid to the 5 level immediately which in retrospect was what I thought I should have done. What about 1♥ - P - 2♣ - 2♥? Then I'd think you definitely want this to show ♠+♦ since 2NT would bypass the contract of 2♠.

Passing is a decision too, you have to decide whether you want to or not :)

Any and all of these could be true - I don't have enough information to make this decision now.

I don't understand the 7♣ bid. What is wrong with pass? If I decided to get into the auction, I think I would bid 3♥ or 4♥ over 3♣. Once I've passed here, I think I have nothing to say unless partner bids again.

I'll say that without partnership discussion, I have to bid 3♥. I take away 3 points for the lack of a 4th trump, but then add 2 back for a singleton with 3 trump, and a point or two more for a nice hand. I won't force to 4 because I need partner to have a 5th trump or at least 8 HCP for game, unless my partner was Garozzo or someone similar. What mike777 is going on about is that a few people use 2♦ as either a reverse into Diamonds, or a hand that would rebid 2NT. That frees up 2NT to show this "Death Hand", as well as showing any 15+ HCP hand with 4 Hearts and 5+ Clubs. Playing Walsh transfers (assuming legal) or Mexican 2♦, you also free up a 2NT rebid for this purpose.

No. Even though 2S and 3C do not seem that far apart, they really are worlds different. I will try to explain why I think so. The first difference is being able to make the THIRD shape showing bid. This is very important, because it defines your hand so well. So even though if you bid 2H you can still find a spade fit/bid spades later, you will not get to make the all important third bid. Consider how good an auction like 1H-2D-2S-2N-3 anything goes. If you are 6-4, you show that easily, 5431 with 3 of partners suit? no problem. 544 or a good 5431? no problem. AND you are at quite a low level. Compare this auction to 1H-2D-2H-2N-3S. This auction pretty much sucks. Partner knows much less about your shape, and the auction is higher. Sure, he knows you're minimum, but with so much room minimum vs maximum is not important. The fundamental difference in the 2 level, and the 3 level, is that the 2 level gives partner room to bid 2N which he usually will do. This may not seem like much, but it impacts every 2/1 auction. In the auction 1S-2x-3C, partner really does not have room. 1S-2H-3D is the absolute worst. Partner can now rebid hearts, bid 3S (most people think this promises 3), or bid 3N, or go past 3N. This leaves him extremely few options, and he must guess a lot. At least 1S-2D-3C leaves partner a convenient 3H probing type bid, but it's still pretty murky. The more a bid makes partner guess, the more well defined it would be advised to be. Even if you don't play it as showing extras, playing it as showign 5-5 at least will be a huge advantage, any 5-4 is just too wide of a range. On top of that, if you bid at the 3 level, you are never going to be able to make a fully shape showign bid next. There is not enough room. Even a great auction like 1S-2D-3C-3D, 3H does not show 5314 now (if you can bid 3C with that), it is simply probing for the best spot and might be based on a number of hands (no heart stopper, anti positional heart stopper, slam ambition, etc). So, getting your 2nd bid in the 2 level often allows you to show your almost entire shape at a low level which is great. At the 3 level it will never do that, so shouldn't be a factor in your decision. And then there is the problem of making sure you find a 4-4 spade fit rather than a 5-4 heart fit. If you have 45xx opp 4351, and it goes 1H-2D-2H you will find hearts (partner will bid 3H or 4C). This is not good. Now, if the auction had gone 1H-2C, this problem is potentially even worse. Many modern players (myself included) who bid 2C with a balanced GF will bid 2C on 43xx, in order to create a game force cheaply and then raise hearts. This is to avoid problems that 1H-1S creates in that later you have to both create a GF and raise hearts, and generally have a bad auction (consider 1H-1S-2D-3C-3N-4H or something compared to 1H-2C-2D-2H, partner finishes shape then you can cuebid). So if 4333, 4342, 4324 all bid 2C then you will miss spades a lot if partner bids 2H next. Of course this is a slight tangent, if you don't bid 2C with these hands you don't have to worry about it, but a lot of people do now, and I think with 4324 it should be automatic even if your 2C is not possibly artificial, so that shape will still be a problem. By the way, the third bid thing is why I think 1M p 2N as natural and forcing is awful. This does not allow partner enough room to make a third bid before 3N, so his shape is widely undefined. 1S-2N-3H would be awful, could be 5-4 or 5-5, how do you find the right fit? You could make an artificial reply to 2N (advised) but this hurts your other auctions. Even 1S-2N-3C... you won't get to make a third shape showing bid because your 2nd one was at the 3 level, so again your 3rd bid will be probing for the best spot at best. Compare this to 1M-2C-2 whatever-2N. Now you get to finish your shape exactly. This makes your auction much better. You lose 2C definitely showing 5+ clubs, big deal, that is not nearly as important as being able to make 3 shape showing bids. The third bid thing is also why jump shift auctions are difficult. Again, 1S-1N-3H is a problem auction because it's not known if opener is 5-4 or 5-5 to begin with, and again this has led people to have artificial methods. But all jump shift auctions are really hard because decisions have to be made before a third shape showing bid is made. Compared to something like 1S-1N-2H-2S-3C an auction like 1S-1N-3H is jsut so much wore, but since 2H is not forcing sometimes you just have to make a jump shift and hope it all works out. The third bid thing comes up a lot, and I think bidding systems should be restructured to utilize it more. For instance, over 1D-1H-1N, I think 2S should simply show a game force with 4-5+. This is better than using new minor forcing a lot of the time especially for slam purposes because responder if he doesn't catch a fit can continue with 2N...3x showing his shape. Compared to 1D-1H-1N-2D*-2N this is a much better auction, even if responder bids 3S now he has jsut shown 4-5 and not much else. Getting the third bid in is also important for choice of game decisions, playing a 5-2 major fit with only one stopper in a stiff etc So, in your example auction, while I would recommend a 3 level reverse to show both EXTRAS and 5-5+, I would recommend 2S to always be bid with 4 spades.

I think Gweny's rules are almost as spammy as the rest. You realize that means up to 12 spam messages for each of your tournaments? multiply that by the number of tourneys...

Apparently he still has loads of information left. Kibbing Stewball's table this evening: BBOITALIA->Kibitzers: ♠♠SATURDAY APRIL 30th **SFIDA AI CAMPIONI** (CHALLENGE THE CHAMPIONS) is back at 21.30 cet (14.30 nyt). Immersion in the WORLD CHAMPIONS' play: play their boards, seeing photoes ... BBOITALIA->Kibitzers: and listening to curiosities about them. Besides we have the partecipation of MASSIMO LANZAROTTI♠♠ BBOITALIA->Kibitzers: www.bboitalia.it/td/sfidaaicampioni.htm After which he logged off. Any suggestions as to which counter-information I should send other than my feeble "Please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please, please stop spamming"?

nah cant be, I get them :D Although I have 3 times now asked to be removed from the mailing list The TD than adked: from the BBOItalia list or from my private list (?). I said from both. Stil keep receiving them.

Nah,can't be......I never get these messages B)

With all due respect, that is horse hockey. I have been getting these messages and I have never visited the site, played in no BBOItalia events that I am aware of. I did not write to anyone regarding it since I have no idea how I came to be receiving them in the first place, and no clue who to talk to since I presumed they were sanctioned by BBO. Not to mention that the messages themselves are nearly indecipherable to me.

I receive regular tournament spam from clubs I have no even joined. I thought it would be easy enough to circumvent this by making the spammer an enemy and checking "ignore chat from enemies", but alas that does not block mail messages :)