SimonFa

Teams. [hv=pc=n&s=s3hakj94dajt873c6&n=skq86hqdk95cakq43&d=e&v=n&b=5&a=p1d2s3cp3hp3nppp]266|200[/hv] I must admit I didn't like my options in South seat. I was worried that 1H followed by Diamonds might have led partner to think I had longer Hearts than diamonds. But if I opened a Diamond and partner bid spades was I strong enough to reverse? As it happens Diamonds were 2:2 with Queen onside. As always thanks in advance, Simon

Don't take too much notice of how people rate themselves. I recently made a reverse that was passed out by an "advanced" player and we missed a slam, playing instead in a 4-2 trump suit at the 2 level. Unless a persons profile says they play Gerber its safest to assume that they don't. Its a gadget that isn't really in fashion nowadays except among older Acol players here in UK. If this mid was made in MBC and not a tourney its OK to ask, especially with a new pick-up partners and if one of the ops complains (its only happened a couple of times to me and the complainers are on my enemy list) politely tell them that you're a pickup partnership and that it aids a much better game all round. Simon

I generally do but if my last play was in MBC or in tourneys I sometimes forget when I log back and and start practicing with 3 robots.

Thanks for quick response, Barry. Simon

This just came up in and IMPs game with a pickup partner in the MBC: Partners' profile says "no transfers" and the 2h was bid after a long pause, but that could mean anything. [hv=pc=n&s=s75hak5daqt8cqj84&n=sqj4h97643dk63ca6&d=s&v=n&b=15&a=1n2c2hppp]266|200[/hv] I got the obligatory "south pass???", but what could I do? Is 2H forcing if not playing transfers? If not forcing is 16 HCP and ♥AK5 strong enough for 3H at this vulnerability with the 2C bid which should be assumed to be natural? This is why I normally move on if partners' card says "no transfers". With transfers we could have had a very nice sequence 1NT, (2C) 2D (P) 2H (P) 3NT (P) with me selecting game. As always, thanks in advance for your thoughts, Simon PS As it happens 3NT is a good game but 4H is always off at least 1 but that's not the point. PPS Another thought, do people play no transfers so they can hog declarer play?

1. If you have it set to "on" can the software automatically disabled it when playing with three robots or make the software play at normal bot speed when as if it were declaring? If you aren't paying attention you can miss a few tricks, especially towards the end of a hand. 2. Make the default "on" so that when playing with humans we don't get stuck waiting for the last card to be played if someone leaves the table too early. I also reckon it will speed up many games in MBC. Thanks, Simon

When I liven in Cyprus a long time ago we used to define a microsecond as the time between a traffic light going to green and the first horn being sounded. I now think it more appropriate to define it as "when using the 'find partner' facility in MBC the time taken between landing at a table and getting a 'faster' comment from one of the other players" I'm sure others have their own favourite definitions? HNY, Simon

Danny Boyle, main organisor of the Olympic opening ceremony turned one down, as have a few others. Having watched the opening ceremony I'm not surprised as he hardly hid his left wing idealism under a bushel.

I think this is pretty close to Andrew's award. Maybe if the congressional medal had bronze and silver variants as well as gold Andrew's would have been silver. And the Queen does this twice a year, the other time being in the summer for her official birthday. Simon

I couldn't have written it better, I've just faced this sequence: IMPS, RvR, pickup partner in MBC: [hv=pc=n&s=sajt3hj8dj9854c92&n=skq74haqt743dcak4&d=e&v=b&b=10&a=ppp1hp1sp2cp2hp2sppp]275|250[/hv] Expecting to play a 4:3 ♠ fit with partner something like 3=5=1=4 and about 12HCP or maybe less as a 3rd seat opening I was castigated for passing :angry: Simon

Usualy with a stopper in ops bid suit, or at least half a stopper, say Qx, and some, including me, would expect to see 2 cards in partners but its not the end of the world if there isn't.

Both Vul, you deal, MPs. ♠ QJT2 ♥ J4 ♦ void ♣ KQJ8765 I had a feeling this was going to be difficult when I picked it up. 1C (1h) 1S (1NT) ? Playing 2/1 if it matters. 1NT is 15+ balanced. This is the one area partner is reasonably disciplined in that he won't bid on less than 6 HCP points but would bid the spades on 6543. Agree with 1C? If not what? (Partner's hand is in the spoiler if you want to speculate on likely sequences.) What now on this bidding? As always, thanks in advance, Simon EDIT fixed bidding

It needs wider coverage than that and I have just written to the EBU and asked them to include my letter with a link, or better still a short review.

I bought iBridge for the iPad about a month ago and have been very impressed so far. I mainly play when I can't get online and its good for trams. I intend to do a review when I get more time but at £14 so far it's been a good buy.

At the time 9 other tables.

Playing with 3 GIBs I was surprised to get the best score, to date, of 9.6 IMPs shared with one other human whose ops went off in a slam: WvW, RHO dealt ♠ QJ2 ♥ A4 ♦ JT8 ♣ AKT72 All the other humans opened 1♣ (except one who rather bizarrely passed) and ops found a game making spade fit. I opened 1NT and played in 2H making after a dbl from LHO and transfer from partner. I was just wondering if I had missed something seeing as I was the only one to open 1NT? Thanks in advance, Simon

Jonathan, I tried to PM you but for some reason it bounced. I've been playing just over 2 years but have put a lot of effort in and class myself as an intermediate. I prefer to play 2/1 but do play Sayc and Acol sometimes in the real world. I'm looking to develop a strong partnership both online and in real world and willing to put some effort in to a partnership. I work in London 2-3 days a week and playing then is difficult, but the rest of the time I can play online in the evenings. Simon PS SimonFa on BBO as well

Thanks Bill, I'll look that one up. I don't think I'll get chance for Bridge, the wife doesn't play and won't want to be left alone in the evenings in an RV. Simon

Thanks Mike, they both look great. I should have said the plan is to hug the coast as much as possible, hence the time constraints. Simon

Great idea, thanks. I've just been to learn how to set them up and was surprised at how easy it was.

I know that there are forum members from all over the USA, so I thought this might be a good place to get some impartial travel advice. Next April (2013) I'm flying in to LA for a few days to see some friends then hiring an RV and driving up to Seattle, a couple of days there and then train to Vancouver for a couple of days before flying home. For some reason I've always had a yearning to do this but I'm going to be pushed for a time so probably can't do as much as I would have liked. My timetable means I have to do about 150 miles per day and can afford one day without travelling. We've already been to SF and driven the route between Cambria and Point Reyes, including staying just outside Carmel and seeing Monterey, so the plan this time is to get through that section quickly. If anyone can offer advice on interesting places to see, good RV parks and general advice before I finalise my plans at the end of the month to get early bird discounts it would be most appreciated. Perhaps I might have the opportunity to repay the kindness in traditional fashion by buying a beer whilst we are there? I'm already looking at Morro Bay (but that's a long first day slog) and Marina Dunes RV park just north of Monterey. Thanks in advance, Simon

I much prefer switching seats in Robot tourneys, it feels more natural especially when looking at the bidding.

That wasn't his hand but it makes sense given all flat hand distributions are accounted for, its about the only thing I didn't think of. I'll put this to partner for future reference. Thanks for all other responses as well, Simon

Yes direct double of opponent and sometimes when ops has both bid eg 1m (p) 1M X is to tell me he has opening points. I've asked what I do next without knowing shape but not really got sensible answer. As a consequence I try to avoid all doubles. Simon

Yes I know and I was playing Acol with a regular partner at another club and we used to do well. I've nothing against it at all I just like to play 2/1.