kellonius

Thanks for sharing, sounds interesting. Out of curiosity what happens when this is treated as a supervised learning problem, e.g. learn to predict what the experts bid?

Oh, one more question. We actually have the ability right now to say that our 1D, 1H, and 1S openings 100% promise an unbalanced hand; that is because we pass 11 balanced, open 16+ ANY 1C, and open 12-15 bal 1NT, 5M common. One issue is that we're particularly vulnerable to a 4522/45(31) shape, because if we open 1H and hear the expected 1NT forcing, partner is apt to take a minor suit rebid seriously as a 4 card suit (we promise an unbalanced hand). Our solution (as of a few days ago) is try 2H Flannery, showing exactly 4522 or 45(31), 11-15. Any thoughts; is this playable, or infrequent enough that we should just accept rebidding a two card minor (or five card major) with 4522/45(13)?

Thanks all for the advice; I just returned to this thread to see many new replies. SteelWheel; we actually have come to your suggestion as well: we have been playing a 12-15 NT so that our 1D opening is natural (4+) and all of our 1D, 1H, 1S openings promise an unbalanced hand. This has also given us a few nice gadgets: for example: 1D-1H-1NT (mm, equal or longer D), 1D-1H-2C (mm, longer C), 1D-1H-2D (single suited D), etc. We really like this approach so far. We have been considering adding a 1H relay over 1C, "kokish" style: 1C -- 1D -- 1H -- relays 1S, showing either a balanced hand, hearts and another suit, or single-suited hearts. I have one question, though. We like to play that 1C -- 1D -- 1M only promises 4. How does this interact with a 1H relay here? For example: does 1C -- 1D -- 1H -- 1S -- 2C show 5+4+, but where you can have 4H5C or 5H4C? Does the 1H relay only work well if you play that 1C 1D 1M promises 5? Any thoughts here? Thanks!

My partner and I have just agreed to start playing precision, 12-15 NT, 5 card majors, 2/1 is (mostly) GF. We have a couple questions for more experienced precision pairs: (1) What do you like to do with balanced 11 counts? (1B) If you pass these hands, and since we open a 12-15 1NT, what should a 1D open and 1NT rebid show? Are there any interesting gadgets here, since this seems to lose its natural use? (2) We've been tempted by the limited 1 level opening bids to open a lot of questionable 11 counts, especially with a 5 card major. For pairs who play 2/1 responses as GF in response to a precision opener, how do you typically define a GF as responder if you have a partner who likes to open these so-so 11 counts? If some 12 counts or so don't count as a GF, how do you bid them? (3) 2C as (5+C and 4M or 6C) versus always showing 6C? For pairs who don't allow the 4M, what do you do with 4315, 3415 hands? (3) Any other system reccomendations for a new precision pair? Thanks so much!

This is a hand from a recent club game; I suggested an interesting defensive variation, and I'm curious what you would play. You are declaring 2NT, none vulnerable, opponents silent. Dummy: ♠AKJx ♥Kxx ♦Kxxx ♣xx Your Hand: ♠xxx ♥xx ♦Txx ♣AQxxx LHO leads the JH; what do you play if RHO overtakes with the HA and continues the HQ. (Full hand below). RHO holds: Qxx AQx AQJxx KJ LHO holds: xxx JT8xx x Txxx Did I tempt you to win the K♥? It is obvious from my seat on the auction that partner has no entries.

Hi Folks, I'm mentoring a new player who is very intelligent, a decent card-player, but an atrocioius bidder. In learning the game, no one seems to have taught him basic bidding concepts. Can anyone think of a comprehensive book on bidding that is targeted for the intelligent, or advanced, beginner? Comprehensive is good, and difficulty is no problem, as long as there is a chapter that gives him basic rules, too. (We're planning to eventually play a club standard 2/1 system of sorts) Thanks!

My partner and I have recently started playing the Kokish relay over a strong 2C open. One problem we have had with this sequence is that opener has to go to the three level to define a one-suiter: 2C - 2D (waiting) 2H (puppet to 2S) - 2S 3H (one-suiter, H) I was wondering if folks have thoughts on a response structure from here. One problem we recently had in a club game is that responder might have a heart acceptance with some values, and has no ability to differentiate it from a dead minimum heart acceptance: 87 AK65432 AK A3 opposite A9542 J109 94 Q42 (slam is 50%) 87 AK65432 AK A3 opposite A9542 987 94 K42 (slam is really good) In both cases, responder's only call for us seems to be 4H. And then opener really has no call but pass. I'd be interested to hear any thoughts on a response structure after 3H.