dave251164

Has anyone noticed that the GIBS at their table do something completely different to what happens at most if not ALL of the other tables?! For example 1D (by me) Pass Pass double but for others 1D P P 1S (overcalled on a poor 4 card suit) Another example would be my GIB partner opens a weak 2D, but at the other tables it passes and lets me open instead. The only thing I can think of is that at least some of the hands being 'fetched' were played by GIBS some time ago when they were weaker and now I have an improved GIB for a partner and as defenders. Maybe the hands chosen could be more recent ones, that have been played by GIBS with the current configuration/strength so they at least start off bidding the same to make it a fairer comparison and less of a lottery?

The bridge movies are a wonderful idea and could well prove to be an excellent learning resource for players. Dividing the movies up by topic and ability level helps players find what they require to help them improve their game. My only concern would be why limit the possible audiences for the movies by charging for them? An alternative would be for authors and teachers to do it for the free publicity for their products/services - using hands from their books to advertise them or teaching hands along with their contact details? If a fee must be charged to look at what could hopefully be thousands of educational/interesting movies then it should be a nominal one of a few cents. If more were to be charged previews of the movies should be offered free to let players decide if it is suitable for their needs and worth paying for or maybe greatly discounted daily/weekly/monthly/yearly fees could be charged to watch as many movies as you wish in that time. The change in the method of listing tournaments is a backward step which I really don't like at all. The double line listings take up alot of space so you see fewer of what's coming up without reducing the size of your chat box and the colours and format are not as easy to read and to take the information in as before.

30 minutes for 8 boards?? A totally unnecessary increase even if humans have to play as declarer for the GIBS. 25 mins was way too much time as it was. Who wants to wait 15-20 minutes for results? Please put it back as it was, or better still lower it to 15 minutes!

My guess is PENDULUM. Square pendulum, free pendulum, crossed (wire) pendulum. Also Pendulum clocks are affected by changes in the weather because the metal that holds the pendulum weight expands and CONTRACTS (key) with the temperature.