SimonFa

I'm a bit late on this but I'm interested if you're still looking? Simon

Thanks, thanks a really interesting article and discussion in the comments. I'll send the link to partner as well. Regards, Simon

I started playing Robot Tournaments about 6 weeks ago because I wanted more of a challenge from MBC to be able to analyse my own game in a competitive environment as it's not something I can regularly do because we don't get dealt hands too often at me bridge clubs. Ignoring my own stupidity with bad bids and play, often just carelessness more than anything else, I have two areas of weakness: 1. I don't double enough. I've read Matchpoints, twice and will no doubt read it many times, so I no what to do, I either don't remember or erroneously talk myself out of it. I know I need to do a lot more doubling to fix this, even if it means getting it wrong a few times. 2. But the biggest problem I have is recognising when it is correct or at least a good idea to open off shape of out of range 1NT. Are there any general rules I should be following or isn't it that simple? Can anyone recommend any good articles or books as I would like to get a feel for this area of bidding as it really is costing at both IMPs and MPs, more so than my own stupidity. As always, thanks in advance, Simon PS I suppose the other side of this debate is when not to open 1NT when in range and shape.

Ooops. Thanks. Simon

Unfortunately I'm working pretty long hours and am way behind on my RSS feed from this site and have just got to the end of January. I don't read them all in detail but certainly a lot of them especially in A/E which I find very informative. Anyway, I thought I would share there tip which I read somewhere but sadly didn't bookmark it and now can't find the thread. I think it was from S2000 but if it wasn't a nod and tip of the hat and please own up, preferably with a link so we can enjoy the post again. The discussion was about playing certain card combinations as declarer and discussed something like this situation: KTxx AJ98x Leaving aside we all know the rule [in the absence of any other information*] 9 ever, 8 never, in this situation it was suggested that leading the J has an extra way to win when LHO holds the Q and is someone who religiously covers an honour with an honour. I can confirm that this works both against humans and against GIB. Happy hunting, Regards, Simon PS * The bit that is rarely mentioned PPS Bonus tip from mikeh and one I need to suggest tactfully to a regular partner - never accept your own invitation

Thanks for your comments, its nice to know I didn't blunder with a 4th hand opening at the 4-level. I'll bear in mind Deave's comment about opening 3, it might work against some at one of my local clubs. Regards, Simon

Thank you for that - after a very long day it really made me laugh out loud and has perked me up no end. Simon

I don't like playing Acol but when I do I would expect to bid this up the line, so starting with 1D would help to limit the hand. I take the view that whenever my partner opens 1M they have a 5-carder or are 4333. What I would bid over partner's 1S I'm not sure. 2NT would show a balanced 17-19 but not sure if it is GF and gets across my Spades. As its teams I think I would just bid 4S and probably regret a missing slam at my leisure. Regards, Simon

IMPS, all white: ♠9 ♥AKQT9852 ♦52 ♣K8 (P) P (P) ? Decision 1: For a fleeting moment a rule of 15 pass flies through the brain but that is obviously ludicrous. So what to open? It looks like ops could have a spade fit and if they have opening 1H could be fatal if it lets the them figure out their Spade holding. This looks like one of those "last guess ops" situations I've been reading about in Matchpoints. OK lets give 4H a go. Agree with reasoning and bid? Decision 2: As expected 4S is returned via a double and bid, now what? Rule 1 of preempting states say your piece and then take a vow a silence. But is this a special case? I don't think so, if I thought it was worth 5H why not open it? So pass it is. OK so far? Decision 3: Oops, didn't figure on having yet another decision... 4S doubled comes back. Now what? I'm really not happy now and starting to wonder if I should have passed or just gone for 5H. Does the same vow of silence hold? Does P have a some Spades? Its not unreasonable I suppose. I think I forgot to mention partner was a Robot and and the description of partner's double isn't very helpful as we can figure out his points holding. For the gory details Thanks in advance for all thoughts, Simon

I've just started playing 2/1 and haven't really settled on any version with partner although we have now both read Marty Bergen's Secret To Wining Bridge Number 2, 2/1 Game Forcing. From all my reading a 2/1 force can be made on a good 12+ hand otherwise bid forcing 1NT. So, how does this hand rate? WvW. IMPS, partner deals: 1S (P) ? ♠ J5 ♥ AQ5 ♦ QJ9 ♣ QT953 From my perspective the 5-card club suit looks reasonable and there are some good Ts and 9s but on the down side there lots of quacks. In the end I went for 2C mainly because Marty implies any old 12 pointer will do but I wasn't sure. Looking at the other tables there is about an even mix and all results ended in 4S+1 so it didn't really matter but I am interested in how others would evaluate this hand. As always, thanks in advance, Simon

Yes, one guy didn't believe GIB and got a top.

HI, Major problem with the explanation of 2D here. GIB reckons to be denying Spades and has KQJ92. Regards, Simon EDIT Just noticed that on this hand it bids 2S as an opener reverse, a much better bid.

Hi, It only a minor issue, but very irritating. A specific case is viewing Hands and results - Recent tournaments. When "results" are selected it pops a new window. Then when you select "show boards" it pops a new tab in the original window. However I have noticed that in general there isn't any consistency when navigating round the site, but don't have another example to hand. As I say, not the end or the world, but irritating nonetheless. Regards, Simon

Indeed, and I for one get a lot of pleasure and knowledge from the the A/E forum.

As a new partnership we stick to 4-card responses for simplicity so it shouldn't be a problem to use LSGT. The sequence you give was the one that got me thinking about the problem. We ended in an inferior Heart contract when we were both 4/4 in the majors. From the explanations I have seen relay seems to be the predominant method but something I'll need to discuss with partner. Thanks, Simon

Yes, please add Gnasher to my list. Simon

I've wanted to understand Lebensohl for a while, not becasue I want to play it, its far too advanced me for my partnerships, but to help with my enjoyment of Vuraph broadcasts, understanding the occasional discussions in the A/E threads that refer to it and so I know what is going on in the unlikely event it comes up at club nights. I've read a few lot of explanations but quite frankly they were terrible, convoluted and wordy without any context and have always come away frustrated. So I was very pleased when I found this movie explanationfrom Howard Schutzman AKA BBO nickname "hondo717" on his website. It takes the viewer step by step through the convention in a very easily digestible format. Bridge would be a lot easier (for me) if all complicated conventions were set out like this. Perhaps at the end of the year we can have a B/I award for the best online teacher/explanation of conventions and this is my nomination? Regards, Simon PS Posted as an aid to other B/Iers rather than as a general question/discussion.

Thank you, but I don't think I have contributed anything more than than the questions that many B/I meet in the real world, the real contributors are those like you that answer them. Regards, Simon

As a newbie I have been a receiver rather than contributor and would like to nominate all who have taken the time to give considered and clear answers to my many questions, no matter how banal. Whilst they are too many to mention and it seems unfair to select anyone in particular, I would like to nominate Justin and Frances, getting a response from such high profile players is great for the confidence and the game in general. For the B/I threads the defensive problems have to be among the best. Regards, Simon

I've been reading about long/short suit game tries by opener but can't find anything similar when responder is invitational and there suit has been supported. I was wondering if there was reason why they can't be applied over the following sequence: 1m - 1M - 2M - ? It strikes that they would be much better than the usual B/I sequence of responder just bidding 3M and hoping opener guesses correctly. Is it practical to use help suit game tries in this sequence and if not is there a convention I have missed? If we do use them what the pitfalls? Thanks in advance, Simon

Bidding fixed.

All White, MPs, partner deals. P (1H) P (1S) P (1NT) P (P) X (P) ? ♠83 ♥T86 ♦QJ8 ♣KJ432 After two passes this looked to me like: "We can't let them buy this auction this cheaply, do something intelligent, partner." Sitting the double didn't look very intelligent so 2C it was. They eventually made 2NT when partner didn't say anything else. Agree with reasoning and bid? If not what's your take? Thanks in advance, Simon PS Just for interest partner's hand: EDIT Bidding fixed

Thanks all. On reading the replies I'll be having another word with partner and also a quiet word with the Chairman. Simon

Hmmmm, that's an interesting point. This guy is quite surly by nature so probably thinks it is meant to be a friendly reminder. Thanks, I'll give it a bit more though. Regards, Simon

Director calls don't bother me now, its part of the game and I prefer things to be done correctly, not least to be fair to the field. It goes without saying that I'm trying to fix partner, but he gets visibly nervous whenever he sees this player and I'm sure that doesn't help.