JoAnneM

When you bring up the information screen for each particular robot tournament it gives you the conditions of play, including whether it is best hand for south, or random dealt.

Since you only have a 25% chance of being dealt the D7 do you ask for it to be passed to you so you can lead it? :D

If you have 5-10 written on your cc and you open with 13 in 3rd seat, on a frequent basis with your regular partner, it seems to me that the opponents have a right to know that, since your partner already knows it. I believe it is called a partnership agreement.

The better solution to dealing with those pesky problems in the free online tournaments is to play in the "fee" tournaments.

This is a little bit off topic but say you decide not to let them play the hand, and award avg+/avg-. What if avg+ damages the opponents, or the field. I come across instances where I know a pair would have tied for top, because of their skill level, but they get avg+ because of the opponents mistake. Is it better to just issue a No Play and then a PP the offending side?

Thanks Jan, for explaining about the funding of USBF. I have absolutely no involvement in the program other than as a spectator, but I do run a club and it is nice to know where the money from our special games is going. I don't think ACBL does a very good job of explaining this, or maybe I just don't read that part of the Bridge Bulletin. Also thanks for running a great vugraph event. I especially liked watching the kids play. These were children playing a tough schedule, and hopefully they all had a good time. For the most part the commentators were gentle with them, remembering who they were watching. Thanks again

The following information, and more, is available at the USBF site: Federation Information The UNITED STATES BRIDGE FEDERATION was formed in 2001, for the primary purposes of selecting and supporting United States teams in International Competition and supporting the World Bridge Federation in its efforts to obtain Olympic recognition for bridge. After making a significant effort to promote bridge as an Olympic Sport, including sending a team to the Salt Lake City IOC in 2002, USBF now focuses primarily on selecting teams for International competition, by holding the United States Bridge Championships for Open, Women, Senior and Junior teams, and on providing training and support for United States teams in International competition. USBF was originally formed by ACBL and ABA . It now receives support for United States International Teams from the ACBL International Fund and Junior Fund. It is otherwise self-supporting, with support coming from membership dues, contributions and entry fees for the USBCs. www.usbf.org

I would like to congratulate all the kids that played in this event, just wish there had been more of them.

Welcome to the Forum.

Movies that are great and movies that I keep watching have nothing to do with each other. Movies that I keep watching are just for relaxation and entertainment, usually light, but not stupid. One we just rewatched on our recent RV trip (it lives in the motorhome) was "Dave".

Please feel free to rant (vent) all you want. You did get some good advice.

Nice website, looks like a great place! We should start a thread promoting our kids' businesses.

Do not arrive at the first session worn out from traveling. Do not eat big meals between sessions, but drink lots of fluids (non-alcoholic). Get lots of rest. Try to relax and have a good time, this is an experience you will remember! Good luck to you and your team.

I was only at the Portland Regional for a few days to attend the final Reno NABC planning meeting and then I played with Ed Freeman on Chris's KO team as a substitute. BTW California has been rocking and rolling the last few days: http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/rec...quakes_all.html

I"m answering yes until you tell me what I did. Lol

Stolen bid doubles

If Penticton doesn't work come to Seaside, Oregon in October which is also becoming a destination Regional, even though ACBL has sabotaged it this year with Philadelphia. Both Penticton and Seaside are wonderful Northwest tournaments.

I don't care so much about my iPhone, Fred, but I am sitting at a picnic table in a campground on the beach in Oregon and it would be fun to play with the bots on my iPad.

No one has mentioned the fact that if you limit your game in any way (by barring redheads) it is now an "invitational" game and not eligible for full masterpoints.

Wow, I walked into that one! As far as I know I have never met them, but I have met Chris, played against him and as a substitute on his team. I love young players, and just can't understand the attitude of those who don't. Sometimes I think older people just get too self centered, set in their ways, or maybe they just don't feel good. I just pray that doesn't happen to me!

Exactly. We were the only ones under a certain age. Even if they were complaining specifically about us and this other pair for bridge experience reasons, they wouldn't have caught other people in the net if they decided that one had to be over a certain age to play in the club (say 40). Which, btw, is that several players seem to believe: That those young enough to be their grandchildren (whatever age that may be) shouldn't be at the bridge club, because they come to the bridge club to get away from the grandchildren. (A quote from someone, not something that I made up.) I have to say that I have been playing ACBL duplicate for 6 years (and am 30 years old now). I have never had anyone seriously suggest that they would rather I didn't play because I was too young, or that they were in any way bothered by my age. In fact, I've had the opposite experience - people are worried that there aren't enough younger people to perpetuate the game that they love. I don't know why our experiences are different, but I imagine that the difference is probably only a few people - either I've got better old people in my clubs, or our old people have had fewer bad experiences in general with young bridge players to corrupt their view. The difference might be, Chris, that even though you are an excellent player and even play stuff older players don't play, you have great table presence and a nice smile. We would like any new players at our club - any age please, I don't care if you can play or not, we will teach you. I bet all of you at one time in your life did not know how to play bridge.

My partner and sat played against two fairly young pros at a recent Nabc in a one session Swiss They did not reply to our greetings, acknowledge results at the end of a hand, compare scores, or say goodbye. Some reputations are perpetuated and earned, although lately, thankfully, they have been the exception. I just think it is unfortunate to deal in generalities like this, unless it makes you feel really good.

What does the Law say about rummaging in the trash? To me that is no different from picking up an opponents hand after they have left the table, which is illegal.

This is as far as you can be linked: https://web.acbl.org/CustomerLogin/login.do Once you log in you will see the Bulletin as a selection on your screen. It is in PDF format.

I am firmly of the belief that if you are not intending to attend the National event, GNT or NAP, you should not play in the District Finals. Several years ago in the Flight A finals of the NAP one of the players in the first three placing pairs announced as soon as the results went up on the wall that he didn't intend to go and had never intended to go. His partner was completely stunned as they had gone before. This pair has never played together again. And I think substitutes are fine on teams, but it should be for unavoidable circumstances and should be approved by the GNT Coordinator, District Director, or whatever has been written into the District COC.