microcap

i didnt think there was a problem either---Rex will have to fend for himself if he chooses to.

Rex passed and I didn't think it was close either. I am a more intuitive player, and would have bid 4♥ fast enough to fry my mouse. Rex is a pure scientist who has read and absorbed every book ever written on bidding. This is why we fight all the time! :P :D :D Over the years, I would say the forum backs Rex about 70% of the time and me 30% of the time, so even when I think he is nuts, I post a hand like this one. Anyway, Rex said he figured I had 6 losers and he only had 2 cover cards and 4-3-3-3 so he passed. He did say that red he would bid 4♥ for the standard IMP probability reasons. My hand was: [hv=d=s&v=n&s=saq7haqj1097dq73c8]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] and 4♥ made easily. PS : West bailed us out by bidding 4♣ which we doubled and set 3 for a 2 imp pickup! :P

A simple one for a change. You hold:[hv=d=n&v=n&s=sk32h832da105c9643]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]. Partner opens 1♥ in first hand, RHO passes. You are playing 2♥ as a constructive raise, so taking a dim view of your 4-3-3-3 hand you opt for 1NT. [feel free to comment here as well] LHO throws in a natural 2♣ bid. Partner jumps to 3♥. Do you go to game, pass, or something else [though I can't think of what it might be.] :)

So the significant majority bids 2♠, which is fine [though neither player did at the table]. So you are committing yourself to the 3 level with a possible 21 points and 8 card trump fit---is this a problem or not? Does it make a difference if you are NOT playing Flannery? BTW, i think jdonn has it exactly wrong. I think this is a relatively complex exercise in tactics and hand evaluation in a seemingly simple auction at a low level. [hence the title] At matchpoints, I actually think it is a better problem as the IMP swing is likely to be small even if you guess wrong here.

As we all know, what makes bridge so wonderful is that even after playing for 40 years, you still encounter seemingly innocent situations that turn out to be tricky. You are third hand and hold:[hv=d=n&v=e&s=sk9hkq8d10654cq1084]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Partner opens 1♥, RHO overcalls 1♠. You have a myriad of respectable choices--- which do you choose and why?

The 12-16 NT is something fun that we made up. [we also play Keri over the 1NT bid] I have found that like all bridge systems, it creates what I call the waterbed bubble effect. You push down the problem bubble at one end, but you create a new problem bubble somewhere else. It's just a question of what bubble you can live with! :P :D :lol:

I should mention that we do play FSF as 100% g/f, though Rex occasionally toys with playing it just as F1. I prefer it to be game forcing all the time. We will open 2 card club suits with 17+ HCP and play a homegrown 12-16 1NT range with very frequent 5 card majors if that helps any.

Rex and I have been unhappy with normal fourth suit forcing auctions. I think the problem is that FSF just has too many hand types to describe, and it is tough to distinguish between all of them as the auction progresses. I like the concept--it is the followups that are confusing. Does anyone have a link/structure for FSF auctions that seems to improve the normal? Complexity is fine--Rex can explain it to me! :) :) :)

At the colors, opps threw in a lead directing 3S bid. Over the 3S splinter, he really didnt have enough to bid 4S as there is no certainty opps have a slam at that point. After all, he was looking at the Ace of Trump! The other table could have doubled the 3S bid but didnt. Hog, what is your reasoning?

I am surprised at the number of responses for 2♦, which i think is clearly wrong. This hand will be declared in ♥, and I think you are much better off supporting with support immediately. At the table, I bid 2NT Jacoby, with my next bid planning to be 4♠ kickback for key cards. I can sympathize with the 4NT bidders, which I believe to be regular Blackwood. But I forgot to factor in those pesky opponents, who bid 3♠ after me. Rex bid 4♠ kickback, then RHO bids 5♠. Then I forgot we were playing DOP1 and cost us tons of imps :( > In the other room, he splintered 3♠, which had the salutary effect of preventing opps from bidding it! They cruised into the easy 6♥. :P

But on a better day, you will have 13 cards in the second hand! LOL B) :D BTW, hand 1 is a 1NT for Rex and me so that does make it simpler for us, though not strong NT pairs.

You get dealt this interesting collection in third hand. Another pleasant surprise is when partner opens 1♥! RHO passes. What is your first bid and your plan? :D [hv=d=n&v=n&s=s6hq7542dakq1095c4]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv]

♣I agree with opening this 1NT as well. I would close my eyes and bid 2♥. And this is another hand that shows why bidding 2♣ over 1♦ whenever possible is a good idea. :D

Thanks Fred-- I am sending this email to Rex, who knows every convention ever invented and some that haven't been. He does have trouble counting to 13 more often than not though! LOL

Here is a style followup: You hold: [hv=d=w&v=b&s=sa93h74da96c109642]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] in 4th position and hear the auction: Opps open 1♦, partner doubles, RHO passes. Do you bid 1NT, 2♣, or something else? :)

What happened was this--- RHO was dealt A876432 of ♠ and opted not to pre-empt with such a bad suit first hand red vs white. He had a change of heart after the 4th seat 2♥ opener. I confess I didn't think of the 4♦ bid at the table--Rex would have. Obviously, that would have uncovered the double fit. Opps made 4♠ and truth be told, I wasn't unhappy about only being minus 170. In the other room, it went 3♠, Pass, 4♠, now 5♥!! passed out making, and we lost 12 imps. Here is the full hand:[hv=d=e&v=e&n=shaqj954dq9853ck4&w=skj109h63da64cj1063&e=sa876432h108dca752&s=sq5hk72dkj1072cq98]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv] i guess the way I summarize it, any hand that can enter the 5 level opposite a passed hand and make a contract shouldn't be limiting itself on the opening bid!! :)

Very fascinating-- I did exactly the same as JT at the table---then Rex was annoyed with me for not doing as hotshot suggests. I will finish the story later for everyone.

Now flip the coin, partner has opened 2♥ in 4th hand. Now RHO comes in with 3♠ !! You hold [hv=d=e&v=e&s=sq5hk72dkj1072cq98]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] How do you continue, if at all? And what the heck is going on here? :) :(

I play keri, but am lost a little---can you give me a sample sequence or two?

A simple poll: In a team match, NV vs V: You are in 4th hand, and 3 passes to you. You hold: [hv=d=w&v=e&s=shaqj954dq9853ck4]133|100|Scoring: IMP[/hv] What do you open and why?

Along these lines, how hard would it be to expand the skill level options at the advanced and up levels. For example, you frequently see people looking for expert+++ players, as the average BBO expert seems to be around intermediate in real life LOL I like the self ranking system actually, and the market place of players is implementing its own solution to the issue. Bridge has a very steep early learning curve, followed by much finer distinctions at higher levels. I know this has been beaten to death over the years--- :P B)

though Justin is way better and more experienced than I, I have had the exact opposite experience with this hand. I have passed and always gotten a bad result at matchpoints [forget the actual psyche]-- especially at these colors where even +100 rates to be a bad score. I too would bid 1NT.

Playing in a rubber game, you declare 6♠ with no bids from opps and and opening small ♣ lead. You have lots of choices---what is the best/safest line to 12 tricks? [hv=d=s&v=n&n=sq72h7daqj109cak83&s=sak963hakq32d763c]133|200|Scoring: Rubber[/hv] Thanks in advance... B)

winstonm--you articulated my question well....so what solutions do people use to distinguish a 3 card limit raise from a 4 carder, or do you just raise immediately and not worry about it?

gwnn--- do you have a whole structure for this problem that I can look at ? thanks