PhilG007

He knows where to find me if he's serious. Whatever else I may be,I'm no coward.I'll actually relish the chance of taking someone who,I suspect is just another of these so-called pseudo 'experts' that seem to dog BBO down a peg or two. Bring it on I'm waiting ! :)

The strongest bridge playing computer at present is Jack 6 which captured its 10th World Computer Championship in Chicago on 15/9/15. I'd like to see how it would fare against an expert human pair.

In that case,I would rebid 2NT. Not happy about the singleton club but since you are compelled to rebid,its the only sensible bid in the circumstances.

A GIB is an automaton. An automaton cannot reason like a human can. It's only obeying what its been programmed to do...like all cybernets.

???? The poster asked the question "what do you open here?" And I gave my answer

I've earned red masterpoints. Last time I noticed these are only awarded if you do well in big real time tournaments. I've had to give up real time tournament bridge because earning a living had to take precedence. As for the "antiquated" charge. Yes,it's true I am of the so-called "Old Guard". So what? The youngsters could learn a thing or from us 'veterans' I don't play 'Micheals' or 'Negative doubles' because they don't fit in with my style. To each their own,says I. I have 30 years playing experience...sometimes harsh experience. The bridge club in my city is a private one and very strict and selective on who gets entrance. You had to prove your ability as a 'probationer' for a certain time before being elevated to the 'Big Club' If anyone doubts me as a player,then take me on head to head in a challenge match. THEN we'll see who's the master and who's the duffer :)

If partner is a sensible and disciplined player,his vulnerable pre-empt promises 7 playing tricks in spades(the rule of 2 and 3) As you have 5 quick tricks and good spade support,you should bid 6 spades direct.

In my experience,owning the spade suit gives their holder a distinct advantage. Spades are the emperor of all the suits,always keeping you one step ahead of the opposition. It pays,therefore,to bid them as forcefully as possible.

Obviously 1♦ and over a 1NT response,pass. Partner has denied a four card major, made a limited response and since you also are minimum,there is no point in proceeding any further...indeed it would be foolish to do so.

I've never heard of a single suited hand being described as "constructive" That's a new one on me (!) ;)

You are TD in a tournament. You are summoned to a table. The defenders tell you that declarer had called for a card from dummy naming a suit but not its rank.As there were more than one on the table, Dummy had asked "which one?" And declarer had replied "the high one of course" The defender next to play objected as declarer had not specifically stated a high card in his call and he(the defender) claimed he didn't know which card to follow with due to declarer's vagueness. How would you deal with this issue as Director?

4[spades without any hesitation. Next question (?)

The problem with pulling the double is it's sending a message" I saw/heard your double,partner, but you're a liar and I don't trust you." Hardly a recipe for partnership harmony(!) :o

Damn right I do...and I suspect you do as well (!) How often do you talk to the Man in the Mirror(?) :P :P

Doubling in a voice of thunder wouldn't be possible in a tournament using bidding boxes(!) :rolleyes:

Behold a common scenario. After a competitive auction,your partner doubles the opponents latest bid,sending the message "They can't make it." A now all too familiar situation has arisen. Do you pass and trust partner's judgement or take the double out thus risking partners wrath if the double could have yielded a heavy penalty? The situation is even more compounded if the partnership is a new or casual one. I await the replies with interest. :)

Gerber 4Clubs only operates opposite a 1 or 2NT opener. Its considered as a museum piece in the modern game. I've never seen it being used in any top flight tournaments of today.

I do play weak NT....but only when playing ACOL. Playing SAYC its strong NT everytime

Sorry u right. Need to see an optometrist :(

I would have actually opened a 'prepared' 1♣ on the South hand hoping for a response in spades. Hands like this one,where there is no meat on the bones,give me the jitters in No Trumps.

2♦ asking for simple preference. I frown on the 2♠ rebid which was the second choice in the vote. The hand has neither the HCP or the shape necessary for a 'reverse'

Another useful tip to remember is whenever you get into an inferior contract, play as fast as you can when you are declarer and try to pressure the defenders into making errors. It's neither illegal nor unethical and can often reap rich rewards ;)

Oceanss remember this adage when you're in a similar situation in future:- FORTUNE IS ALLIED TO THE BRAVE Even if you bid the slam and it fails,rest assured you will be in good company on the score sheet! And there is always a chance the defence will slip up in the play :D

4NT Blackwood agreeing clubs as trumps If partner has the necessary controls,then there's a very good chance of 6♣making. The unbalanced distribution suggests my hand has ruffing values and would therefore be more valuable in a trump contract rather than in NTs.

In my experience,if looks could kill,mass murder would be happening at bridge tables worldwide (!) Maybe that's the real reason why there are screens across tables at top flight bridge events; so that a player can't see his/her partner's fury(!) :rolleyes: