32519

For those with the energy to crunch the numbers, here is another idea to bury this topic forever. For the lack of a better description I have called it "REVERSE MULTI DATA PROJECT." This is the basic idea: 1.) Identify enough players who have opened Multi against the world's 100 top ranked players. 2.) Compare these players results with the result obtained at the other table (presuming of course that Multi wasn't opened at the other table). Whoever comes out with a net gain (Multi vs Non-Multi) will be crowned the winner!

The Multi remains the topic of much controversy. In response to this thread and other similar threads, Han started a new thread titled “Multi Data Project.” The aim being to gather new data on the effectiveness of the Multi. You can find han's thread here http://www.bridgebase.com/forums/topic/49266-multi-data-project/ The response below has been copied in from Han's thread. There is a much quicker way to gather first class data for those interested in burying this topic forever. Find the Convention Cards for the players currently ranked from e.g. 1 to 100 in the world (rankings available on the World Bridge Federation website). Starting from number 1, work through their CC's until you have identified enough players who play the Multi 2♦. Now go to the Vugraph Project page http://www.bridgetoe.../index.php/home and do a search for the players name. The search option is under the PBN tag. Looking for all the hands they opened 2♦ with will speed up your quest for finding reliable data. Some food for thought: There is a possibility that the higher the ranking of the player the less likely you are to find the Multi on their CC's (I don't know what the answer is myself). If this turns out to be the case, don't even bother crunching the numbers. Undoubtedly these guys would at some stage all have experimented with the Multi before discarding it in favour of something else.

There is a much quicker way to gather first class data for those interested in burying this topic forever. Find the Convention Cards for the players currently ranked from e.g. 1 to 100 (rankings available on the World Bridge Federation website). Starting from number 1, work through their CC's until you have identified enough players who play the Multi 2♦. Now go to the Vugraph Project page http://www.bridgetoernooi.com/index.php/home and do a search for the players name. The search option is under the PBN tag. Looking for all the hands they opened 2♦ with will speed up your quest for finding reliable data. Some food for thought: There is a possibility that the higher the ranking of the player the less likely you are to find the Multi on their CC's (I don't know what the answer is myself). If this turns out to be the case, don't even bother crunching the numbers. Undoubtedly these guys would at some stage all have experimented with the Multi before discarding it in favour of something else. (This post has also been copied into the thread "The Multi 2♦ Is It Worth It")

If there is any uncertainty as to the possible meaning of any bid (your example here containing weak only or strong options as well), try finding the Convention Card of the pair in question. ECatsBridge has a lot of them. I haven't looked myself, but maybe the CC's are also available on the World Bridge Federation website http://www.worldbridge.org/ Other contributors to this forum will no doubt know of other websites where the CC's can be obtained. Often the Vugraph commentators have a copy of the CC in their posession during commentary. I am convinced that Roland Wald can be contacted to obtain a copy of the CC if needed.

There is another way that you can gather reliable data: Many top-flight matches are broadcast live on BBO. No doubt many of the regular contributors to the BBO Discussion Forums kibitz some of these matches. As soon as anyone opens the bidding with two of any suit, the nature of the bid will be apparent (weak/strong/artificial/Precision etc). The result obtained can be compared with the result from the other room if a different opening bid was used there. Anyone with true passion and dedication to put and end to this dicussion can visit the Vugraph Project http://www.bridgetoernooi.com/index.php/home Hand records going all the way back to 1955 can be recovered here. There you can sift through endless hands and results for the data required. I believe that Pietro Campanile did something similar when he released his findings on this issue. http://www.migry.com/Articles%20and%20other%20tidbits%20pdfs/multi2D.pdf His data however was limited to cetain tournaments and years. Here is an extract from his findings "The data includes all the deals played in the European Championships from 1997 to 2004 and the knock-out stages of Olympics and World Championships from 1987 to 2003, whenever there are comparisons from all tables in play." The information is all available right here on BBO.

Analysing the convention cards of the 22 countries that participated in the 2011 Bermuda Bowl to see what they used the 2♦ bid for (22 countries X 3 cards per country = 66 cards) makes some interesting reading. This is another look at shevek's analysis above. Nr. Hand Type Description 25 Multi (predominantly the "weak only" version) 17 Standard Weak 2♦ 15 Value showing bid (11+ HCP) *5 Ekren's (or similar) *4 Other 66 Total The value showing bids included: 5 Strong (ACOL 2 type of hand) 5 Mexican 2♦ (18-19 HCP balanced) 2 Precision 2♦ 3 Flannery 2♦ 15 Total Excluding the Multi from what the 2♦ bid was used for, we get: 41,5% Natural Weak 2♦ 36,5% Value showing 78,0% Sub Total *9,8% Ekren's (or similar) 12,2% Other 100% Total The Convention Cards of the 25 pairs who did include the Multi shows interesting reading for what the 2♥ and 2♠ bids were subsequently used for: 15 Muiderberg 2s / Lukas 2s 10 Depending on seat and vulnerability the meaning of these bids also had a multi option; Muiderberg, Standard 6-card weak 2♥ or 2♠ bid or a constructive 2♥ or 2♠ bid (8-13 HCP)

Zelandakh's post above brings to mind another Rule of 8 / Rule of 9 Rule of 8/9: The number of tricks your side can expect to make in a 3NT contract. This rule is better known as "Eight Ever / Nine Never."

Greatest Compliment: Having a complete stranger at the opposite end of the globe requesting to add you as a friend to their profile. The request having absolutely nothing to do with you skill levels. Instead having everything to do with your conduct and friendliness at the table.

Murphy’s Bridge Laws ♦ Partner always preempts in your singleton or void. ♦ If you have a two way finesse, you always guess wrong. ♦ If you have a choice between playing for the drop or finessing you will make the wrong decision. ♦ If you run the queen from hand to the ace and let it ride the king will be singleton on your right. If you go up with the ace, the king will be on your left. ♦ If you double for penalty partner thinks it is for take-out. If you double for take-out partner thinks it is for penalty. ♦ You always count your cards and there are always 13 - except the time when you don’t count and then you have 12 or 14. ♦ When opponents revoke it makes no difference because you win all the tricks anyway, but when your side revokes you lose 2 tricks. ♦ Whenever partner uses Blackwood you have great difficulty counting up to 3. HOW MANY MORE OF MURPHY'S BRIDGE LAWS CAN YOU ADD TO THESE?

I love this one. It pokes a lot of fun at us bridge players. BRIDGE DISEASE Disease Etiology- Bridge Bridge is a highly contagious, progressive and incurable disease. WHO (World Health Organisation) estimates there are currently between 50 and 100 million infected people worldwide. Unlike other epidemics of this scale, bridge attacks primarily in developed countries. While rarely fatal, the disease has enormous negative impact on the lives of infected individuals and on the whole society. Etiology Earlier theories assumed that bridge is an addictive drug, much like alcohol. In 1976, however, two independent teams of Dutch and American scientists isolated Baccillus bridgeus, a very small bacteria causing bridge. This discovery explains why earlier treatment programs such as `Bridge Players Anonymous’ were not successful. Baccillus bridgeus transmits primarily via contact with bridge players. Once inside the human body, it lodges itself in the brain, where it attacks the parts responsible for higher cognitive functions. During the tertiary stage (see under symptoms) of bridge, the patient’s brain is little more than a tool for Baccillus bridgeus to transmit itself to other victims. Origins of the epidemics The bridge epidemic started around 1890, almost simultaneously in Great Britain and in the USA. It appears that a relatively benign bacteria causing whist mutated itself into Baccillus bridgeus. While the reasons for this mutation are not completely determined, a likely hypothesis suggests that it was a result of exposure of the whist bacteria to high doses of alcohol and boredom among civil servants in certain parts of the British Empire. Symptoms and relief Stage 1 - which is not at all unpleasant, the infected individual enjoys an occasional social game of bridge and does not think of bridge in between those. Only a small area of the brain has been attacked and there are not infrequent reports of a spontaneous arrest of the disease and even of complete recovery. Stage 2 - usually marked by the victim starting to analyze the hand just played. It can be also recognized from the fact of the patient buying the first bridge book, usually with a title like `Improve your play technique’ or `Killing defense at bridge’. During this stage the victim often joins a bridge club and participates in the first tournament. Once this happens, the prognosis is almost always bad. Stage 3- can be recognized by the victim being able to name the current World Champions, winners of the Bermuda Bowl and other major tournaments. It is also marked by the patient owning a full bookshelf of bridge books and/or a subscription to a bridge magazine. At this stage the infected individual loses interest in other pursuits, is a common sight on the tournament circuit, and often dabbles in bridge theory. In extreme cases the victim neglects even the most elementary functions such as eating or personal hygiene. While there may be periods of marked improvement, which often lull the patient and concerned relatives into a false sense of security (with the patient thinking `I can take it or I can leave it’), it is important to recognize that a relapse is unavoidable. Nevertheless, some symptomatic relief can be achieved by simple methods such as getting the victim interested in other pursuits (cooking, fly-fishing, crocheting), taking away his/her pocket money, and keeping the patient locked up during club games and local tournaments. Cure Currently, the only available cure for bridge is lobotomy. This is performed only in extreme cases. Prevention Bridge is highly contagious. Conservative estimates indicate that it is 65 times as contagious as chess and about 5-6 times as the most infectious of the so called Nintendo or Wii viral groups (which usually attack only children and adolescents and disappear, without causing any damage, upon victim’s reaching adulthood). Thus it is very hard to prevent a bridge infection. One should avoid any contact whatsoever with bridge players. If complete avoidance is impossible, do not allow the infected individual to talk about bridge and never, ever agree to be `introduced to bridge’. Recently published results of a 20-year long study by John R. Williams of the Hopkins University lead to surprising conclusions. Thus it is not particularly risky to be in the company of bridge carriers, when their number is divisible by 4. On the other hand, it is extremely dangerous to be alone with 3 (or 7, 11, etc.) bridge players for a prolonged period of time (a cruise, chalet holiday, etc.). The reasons for this dichotomy are at present completely unknown and underline our lack of knowledge about Baccillus bridgeus.

SUMMARY OF THE FEEDBACK RECEIVED ON THE MULTI 2♦ (from this thread and other similar threads) ON THE NEGATIVE SIDE 1.) The loss of a natural Weak 2♦ bid. Weak 2s in the minors are far more bothersome than many credit them for. The reason is they preempt BOTH majors, not just one. Take-out doubles over a weak 2m (or 3m) are made on 4-3 in the Majors on a regular basis, over which the risk of ending up in a 4-3 fit is considerable. 2.) 2♦ is stronger than it looks as a preempt, especially when your opponents at the other table have it available and you have to pass. 3.) The Multi should be more geared towards constructive bidding, because it has less preemptive effect than a natural Weak 2♥ or 2♠ bid. 4.) Multi isn't that great a convention. You're often left in the dark yourself what major partner has when the auction goes say 2♦-(2NT)-P-(3NT). 5.) Natural preempts are more valuable; opponents only get one chance to bid over them. They get two over transfer and artificial preempts! 6.) The majority of Multi’s is a weak 2 in either major. When your major is ♠ LHO can still bid ♥ on level 2. The preemptive effect of the weak 2♠ bid is lost. 7.) The loss of partners ability to lift the preempt immediately is a big weakness of the Multi. More often partner than not, partner is able to support only one of the majors. Not knowing which one you are holding restricts his ability to lift the preempt immediately. 8.) A Multi 2♦ is often much weaker than a Weak 2♥ or ♠ bid. 9.) Many say that it is much easier to defend against than a natural Weak 2 bid. It allows for 3/4 overcall tempos. 10.) Against well-prepared opponents, it causes fewer problems than natural Weak 2s would (as they have extra room, and an extra round of bidding). 11.) The strong balanced hand type can be shown with a natural 2NT opening. 12.) Freeing up the 2NT bid to show 5-5 in the minors and 5-10 HCP has also been questioned. All you have succeeded in doing is convey the hand layout and HCP distribution to the opponents. It now makes it easier for them to balance and/or the subsequent play of the hand. Partner is marked for any required finesse in the majors, opener for any required finesse in the minors. 13.) The 4441 hand pattern with 17-24 HCP is so rare that may players of the Multi don’t even bother including it into their Multi structure. 14.) The Multi 2♦. Does it Really Work? http://www.migry.com/Articles%20and%20other%20tidbits%20pdfs/multi2D.pdf In fairness, this article did attract some criticism. ON THE POSITIVE SIDE 1.) Against poorly prepared opponents it will probably give you a few extra good scores! Multi is said to be a net win for your side against weaker opponents. 2.) The uncertainty of preemptor's suit cuts both ways. The opponents have no obvious cue-bid in openers suit available. 3.) With the appropriate hand, partner can become declarer keeping the stronger hand hidden. The contract has been "right-sided." 4.) The "big win" through using Multi comes from freeing up the 2♥ and 2♠ bids for something else, the most popular being Muiderberg 2s/Lukas 2s. 5.) Muiderberg 2s/Lukas 2s are said to be effective against good as well as weaker opponents. 6.) Freeing up the 2♥ and 2♠ bids allows you to open more weak hands with very descriptive bids. 7.) Raising the HCP count of your Multi to intermediate strength increases the pressure on the opponents to enter the bidding or not e.g. They must guess whether to come in with a strong NT overcall in an auction where they are a level higher than the rest of the field and extremely vulnerable to a penalty double. 8.) Every bid that you use to take away room from the opponents is good. THE FINAL PIECE OF ADVICE FROM MANY PARTICIPANTS TO THIS POLE IS THIS: DON'T PLAY MULTI 2♦ JUST TO BE PLAYING IT. YOU NEED A SYSTEMIC REASON FOR DOING SO. YOU SHOULD USE THE MULTI ONLY IF IT FITS THE REST OF YOUR SYSTEM AND IS USED TO FIX A BUG ELSEWHERE. OTHER THAN THAT, STANDARD WEAK 2s ARE PROBABLY SUPERIOR! A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL WHO REPLIED TO THIS THREAD. IT WAS MOST ENLIGHTENING.

Example Hand 2: Leaping Michaels http://bridgetoernooi.com/index.php/home/pbn2deal/131278

Example hand 1: The Gazilli Convention http://bridgetoernooi.com/index.php/home/pbn2deal/131605

Seeking help from all Vugraph Operators, Commentators and Experts Some time ago I read Fred Gitelman's article on "Last Train to Clarksville" (LTTC) which can be found here http://bbi.bridgebase.com/articles/fg/2over12.html The concepts discussed in the article are not always easy for lesser players to follow. Having kibbitzed many Vugraph Live Broadcasts I cannot recall seeing the convention in action yet. I have heard it said that LTTC is one of the BEST CONVENTIONS to have appeared in the past 20 years. Through placing this post I am hoping to build up a library of expert conventions in action which can regulary be consulted by lesser players. I am asking for help to include as many example hands as possible (or a link to the relevant hand) which names the applicable convention accompanied by an explanation of what each bid means once the convention has kicked into action. The hands can come from anywhere e.g. Vugraph broadcasts, Main Bridge Club, Team games etc. To start off this thread here are some of the more complex conventions I have heard about but personally have never played before: 1.) Last Train to Clarksville (LTTC) 2.) Serious 3NT versus Non-Serious 3NT (what is the benefit of playing one in preference above the other?) 3.) Gazilli 4.) Riton 2♣ 5.) Leaping Michaels versus Non-Leaping Michaels 6.) Six-card RKCB 7.) Turbo Convention (as played by the Italian Blue Team) 8.) Others? Kindly extend the list with other lesser known conventions with example hands and explanations of the convention in action. Thank you!

I stumbled across this entry on Bridge Guys website http://www.bridgeguys.com/CGlossary/GlossC.html Coombs Gambit Devised by Mr. Norman Coombs. This is a defense device against an Artificial Club and Artificial Diamonds opening. The specifics are unknown at this time. QUESTION 1: Does anyone know more about the specifics of this gambit? The only other gambit I know about is the Grosvenor Gambit http://www.bridgebum.com/grosvenor.php QUESTION 2: Do you know of any other gambits? If so, what are they or where can they be found? (I am not referring to the various coup's here. There are a whole string of those e.g.the Crocodile Coup) BRIDGE versus CHESS This thread attracted a number of references to chess. For those interested there is a very interesting article comparing these two games on Migry Zur Campanile's website. Read it here. http://www.migry.com/pdf/mindgames.pdf

The Multi 2♦ is often the subject of much criticism, including but not limited to - 1.) Most Multi's are a weak 2 in a major. When your major is ♠, LHO is now still able to show a ♥ suit on the 2 level. The pre-emptive effect of a weak 2♠ bid is lost. 2.) The strong balanced hand pattern can be bid with a natural 2NT. 3.) Freeing up the 2NT bid to show both minors 5-10 HCP has also been questioned. Information is given to the opponents on the hand layout and HCP distribution making it easier for them to balance and/or the subsequent play of the hand. 4.) The 4441 hand pattern with 17-24 HCP is so rare that many users of the Multi don't even have it as an option in their 2♦ structure. POLL: 1.) What are your thoughts on the Multi? 2.) If you don't use it, what do you use the 2♦ bid for?

Can the experts kindly advise on the best methods to show the 4441 hand pattern. Holding 11-16 HCP, 2/1 and SAYC players are often taught to open the bidding with the lowest minor. With 17+ HCP, the hand pattern gets moved into the 2♦ (Multi) opening bid. With 11-15 HCP, Precision players open the bidding with 1♦. With 16+ HCP I see many of them also opening with 2♦ now, Multi style, irrespective of where the singleton is. Opening 1♣ with 16+ HCP and a 4441 hand pattern distorts the continuation bidding. ACOL players are taught to open the bidding with the middle suit, followed by the higher ranking suit and then the lowest ranking suit. The problem with this approach is, you need three bids to describe your hand and by then you are often already on level 3. 1.) What do the experts use to bid the 4441 hand pattern? 2.) What does your continuation bidding structure look like? Thanking you in advance for your assisstance.