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I find this new format a lot of fun, and a great way to introduce new players to bridge without the burden to learn about conventions and treatments. Kudos to the staff at bbo for innovating on tournament formats.

As I have often noted, hardly originally, the history of the world is replete with violence, suffering brutality and death at the hands of others. A few observations. American school children are taught, at least I was in the 1940s, to admire Patrick Henry's "Give me liberty or give me death". Or consider Winston Churchill's "We shall go on to the end. We shall fight in France, we shall fight on the seas and oceans, we shall fight with growing confidence and growing strength in the air, we shall defend our island, whatever the cost may be. We shall fight on the beaches, we shall fight on the landing grounds, we shall fight in the fields and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills; we shall never surrender" A very highly regarded speech, and I agree. A common thread is that two possibilities, and only two, are offered. We will succeed, or we will die trying. If two opposing forces each take this view, a lot of people are going to die. If one side takes this view and the other doesn't, the side that does can get away with a lot. There is a great deal of asymmetry. I am happily living my life, my main thought about North Korea is that I wish it would just go away. It won't. What does Kim want? Well, I don't know exactly, but surely it involves much greater power and influence for North Korea. To what extent is he prepared to go to the two options of either success or destruction? A good question, I doubt that anyone knows the answer. It is historical fact that leaders can go that route. We, here in the good old USA, want stability. Of course we do, things are pretty good for us as they are, so let's keep it that way. This seems like the right idea, for us. Kim wants change. He wants more. Usually, giving someone who wants more just a bit more in the hope that this satisfies him doesn't work. We could cite Munich on this, often that is done, or we could ask Native Americans. The fat is definitely in the fire and I do not think it is clear, or even all that likely, that there is a peaceful way out. The consequences will be awful for everyone, not only the direct participants. I hope that we can find a way. Recognizing that failure will be a horror is where we have to start, but it may not suffice. As you can see, I am a bit pessimistic.

I have put a poll on BW: http://bridgewinners.com/article/view/what-is-your-opening-bid-and-why/

Surely if you are going to rebid 2NT after a 1S opening, the companion hand is worth doing so after opening 1H. I frequently upgrade 17 count hands with a 5-card major, and would do so here.

toast1 40-30 ant590 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:d98617d0.9033.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504393802&u=toast1

Natali_ 30/ Oyoleo_25

Natali_54 / Zzzzisaac_16

If BBO wants to add a new level of frustration, try a "Just Defend" format.

My final round: Mlbridge / Leeky123 19 / 16 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:f15f2cd7.90cc.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504459555&u=mlbridge Thanks for the tourney

Event 10. RR. Group 3. Nige1 = 22 imps. ZZZZisaac = 14 imos. Nige1 won by 8 imps.

http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:47a1ce54.8be5.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1503920252&u=twisterrz twisterrz 14 - 11 iewnah

toast1 31-53 shuba http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:cba82e75.9033.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504393779&u=toast1

Pay $1.25 for Gib bidding and leads and no refunds for Gib howlers? Come on people say something. I have enough trouble accepting its worth my $0.25.

okay, hand result finally loaded for me to post Stoppiello 10 - gqc6 18 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:83c50f46.90c6.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504456794&u=stoppiello Stoppiello 46 - pio_magic 21 http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:b412f7ee.8f1b.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504273480&u=stoppiello

wow your Gib is conservative I dream of have 24+ pts when in game lol

Yep - you missed the poll where everyone voted to increase fuel prices too.

leeky123 24 - 25 twisterrz http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:99e31b54.8f3b.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504287180&u=leeky123 leeky123 68 - 20 shuba http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:3606c31b.9088.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504430035&u=leeky123

gqc6 16-27 broze http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:3baedfd4.9012.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504379364&u=gqc6 gqc6 24-18 Hrothgar http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tview.php?t=ARDCHALLENGE:e647ce55.9097.11e7.8113.0cc47a39aeb4-1504436773&u=gqc6

I'm sure that your drug addled ramblings are of enormous comfort to the Chinese government

The responsibility is enormous. I guess 50 million is a low estimate of how many people died in World War II. The point is that when things go off the tracks an enormous number of people die. Nobody wanted 50 million to die. But they did. The fact that nobody wanted this to happen but still it happened shows what the stakes are. I do not know how to get out of this. For starters, I think everyone should acknowledge what history plainly shows, that enormous tragedy and suffering can happen, far beyond what anyone intended. We always hope to keep this from happening, we do not always succeed. Once that is understood, clearly and forcefully understood, then perhaps a path out can be found. And perhaps it cannot.

The North Koreans obviously are not coming to the table no matter what sanctions are imposed. Imposing sanctions is chasing diminishing effects, As is additional sanctions to have a large effect as there is so little left and can't stop all non-compliance. The only one with enough clout to get North Korea to agree to negotiations is China. If can convince China still North Korea sometimes doesn't even listen to China, so situation very tough.

I'm having a lot of trouble figuring out what a good solution even looks like let alone how to get to one...

Certainly seems like there are a lot of people who: 1. Believe things which are factually untrue (and kind of racist). 2. Will take any attempt at presenting facts that show their beliefs are untrue as condescending and/or elitist. 3. Feel that they are "at war" with the people who disagree with them, to the degree that they are willing to harm themselves, their country, or their world provided "those people" will suffer more than they will. The curious thing is that there IS in fact "an elite" of wealthy people and corporations who've invested a lot into deceiving these people and riling them up to behave in this way (Rupert Murdoch and the Koch brothers being good examples). Since these folks are pretty much impervious to facts at this point (they disregard facts as fake news and liberal propaganda) and there seem to be enough of them in enough states to deliver electoral college and senatorial wins, it is hard to see a way forward... Most likely the best bet is to run people with fame and personal charisma but basically no experience or track record that can be used to rile people up against them. Tom Hanks for president anyone?