reisig

It's worth waiting for!!

Hard to avoid bidding 4S here ..but may easily fail since Spades rate to split poorly.

I can't speak for other commentators - but noone ever even suggested that I NOT mention another site. So - I have no idea where all this started. None of the commentators that I know have ever said anything to me about what can be discussed or not discussed during a vugraph session.

Mike ...1♦ promised 3+ -- partner had 1♣ (small) theirs were 4-0..(KQJx)..so over 5♣ - they'd happily Pass.

I posted this problem ...because I had this hand in actual play in a high level IMP match. There are many possible answers here, but I think you are guessing at whatever choice you make. But - my view was - I'd like to be plus on this hand. I felt my best shot way talking the opponents into a save...so I jumped to 6♦ - LHO bid 6♥ and partner with 6 solid ♦s..bid the grand ...forcing them to 7♥. 5♣ is down 1 ..by the way.

I can only speak for myself...I do vugraphs (commentary) because I love the idea of allowing 1,000's of players of all levels see some of the finest players in action. It only helps the game in the long run. The idea of charging never entered my mind...I know..you're saying - we wouldn't miss you, anyway! I believe that 90+% of the commentators do it for the same reasons that I do ..to help promote OUR game. I applaud the concept or free access to these shows.

I'm confused. Are people suggesting that North should Pass 2♣? Is that a "real" option here? Game or no game ..you must raise.

My opinion is open 1NT with 5M when the M is poorish (most stuff outside the suit) and open 1M when 6+ points in the suit...hence less protection in the other suits. But opening 1NT with 5 (not AKQxx or AKJxx) can be fine IF you have a way for responder with a GF hand to find out. I like 2♣ (Stayman) followed by 3♣ asks for a five card suit...or is natural w ♣. Opener bids - 3♦ to say the last suit I bid has 5 either the Major or even ♦s when no Major. The other steps (not 3♦) relate to my ♣ support.

You don't need my agreement about 3♠ showing a fit...but I might add that 3♠ is forcing.

All...I have extra length besides! :P

Older and wiser!

3♠ is a competetive bid ...not a game try hand. Sometimes partner has a very good hand for 2♠ and just needs a little help to bid game...and often not such a great hand. Roland and I hate to agree with MikeH - its more fun to disagree.

If I was playing with myself - 2♠ is plenty...since my 1 level overcalls can be LIGHT and 4 card suits...4-3-3-3 crap is not a try. Always trust the opponents when in doubt.

For me - There is no such thing as too good for 2♠ but not good enough for 1♠. I don't care what you choose (2 for me) ...but Pass is not a choice.

Currently - there is no way to view the lobby from the chat area. We run a junior event with a short chat session prior to the game and try to get mentors for some juniors ..but can't see the lobby to contact some well-meaning experts to play with a junior.

I'd like to congratulate the winning USA team and the Polish team for one of the most exciting matches we've had the pleasure of showing. But without the key vugraph operator Wayne (Cascade) - there would be no show. I've been very invovled with many vugraphs, but the job he did was spectacular! Just 1 complaint - could you please end these matches at a better hour for me..I mean 4AM !!! PLEASE :unsure:

Any initial action bids need to be discussed with partner. What is your opening weak 2 bid range and suit?...what about opening bids? Opening with 3 of a suit - what is typical? Overcalls are no different..in that . we need to discuss how many cards you might have and how good is your hand (lower limits). I probably overcall more four cards suits (at 1 level) than 98% of the people. Stop worrying about being killed for a number, since that won't happen often (remember - we're at the 1 level and LHO doesn't have much info about opener's hand) and partner may easily have a long suit to run to. My suits are always with 2+ honors (I want the lead) ..and I may have a longer suit ..9xxxx AKJx Qx xx after 1♣ ..what? to me 1♥. These overcalls are hugely successful..for leads - for competing - for keeping the opponents out of 3N, etc. The lower the suit the friskier I am ...meaning 1♣ 1♦ can be VERY light but always a suit I want led. The reason for lower craziness is that we have more escape routes. Anyway - this is NOT a short subject..so I'm just stating an opinion here and not trying to fully explain all aspects of it.

I like 2N to be limit or better (GF but non-slam is possible). Then the opponents don't have a "free" shot bidding at 3 level for leads or saves, since we may not bid game. Also opener does not disclose a short suit to make the defense easier. Opener's rebids are all artificial (exc 3 our Maj = worst). For slam hands (responder) uses a good 2/1 method to find out what they need to know. Opener has ways to show a slam interest hand and we can investigate from there.

I can stop talking ..if that helps :)

Opening in 3rd seat is OK...but then must Pass partner's response - so I blame East - although ..West shoud not be without any blame...but FAR less.

New suits are forcing ...that's all...if not the problems are impossible to handle. You want to stop on a dime - not with me, please.

The 2♦ overcall is worse than terrible...in my opinion. It has all the fatal flaws - bad suit (only 5 cards) and 3 cards in opponents Major.

The whole (Ekeblad) team performed to a high standard and clearly deserved this win. It was a pleasure to comment.

Might be more interesting if we knew the final contract.

With no (timely) alerts ..I'd award average plus and average minus...you get plus.