iandayre

I have my own thoughts on this which I will share soon, but one GIB action really surprised me recently

We should all wish this was the worst bidding GIB does. I think 2H is a great bid, much better than guessing between 2NT and 3NT with only 1 H stopper.

Agree, this is something it would seem easy for the programmers to fix.

Until recently I mostly played against the Robots on BBO. Since the pandemic I have played in events such as the daily SYC games and in the ACBL regional tournaments. I have noticed several obviously very experienced players who think it's cute to describe their skill level as "novice". There has been much discussion of people who over-report their skill, but I haven't seen this topic before. To me this is no different than failing to disclose, or lying about, one's bidding and carding methods. Mind you, I can live with those who choose to keep their skill level private. But I don't think gross understatement of one's skill should be allowed in tournament play.

The simple answer, Jschatzman, is that if you want to play with and against the robots, you have to learn the 2/1 bidding system. That is what they play. I don't know how long you have been playing but 2/1 has been the most popular system in the USA for players above the beginner/intermediate level for decades. To answer your first question, to invite to 3NT you must start with 2C Stayman, then bid 2NT the next round.

I could not figure out what this post had to do with the description until I realized that you were using UI to mean user interface rather than unauthorized information.

Maybe #1 does that is really bad AND then accepts the invitation GAG

I used to be one of the most active posters on this thread. I am proud to say I once got a vicious nastygram from Fred Gitelman himself! But you can't tell me GIB hasn't improved substantially. It used to be notorious for bidding 3 card suits at the 3 level in live auctions. Haven't seen that in ages.

Twice recently I have found myself declaring a 5-2 H fit rather than a 5-4 S fit, when robot partner transferred to H after my 1NT opener with a weak 5-5 in the majors. I suggest this simple alternative. All hands with length in both majors and no game interest start with 2C and correct 2D to 2H, pass or correct. With 4-5 and invitational values, transfer to H then bid S. And with 5-4 invitational, use Stayman and correct 2D to 2S. This does not always ensure reaching the best fit, but when opener holds a 4 card major, it does.

Most of the worst robot bidding atrocities have been fixed so I rarely post here any more. But I could not resist here. With no one vulnerable in a Daylong ACBL SYC game, N robot held KJ74, KJT84, J3. 97. The bidding went 1C by E, 1H by me (S), 3C weak raise by W. And somehow N decided that the excellent support and sound values were not worthy of a bid! PASS!!!!!. This is absolutely and utterly bizarre.

Thank you I did open 2S and went for 800 on an utterly foul lie of the cards. Our teammates made a NV game for a 9 IMP loss when my counterpart passed the hand, which is mainly what raised the question. My partner is not the type to be critical of my bidding, which is my strength anyway. He thought it minimum at the colors but would have opened.

Seems to me it would show the higher range, with concentration in C with relatively weak S.

With a new partner, I have been playing a bit over my head in expert-level practice team matches on BBO. These are real experts not just self-described. In that situation, in first seat at unfavorable, would you open 2S with KJT876, T9, 63, K54?

I haven't visited this forum in quite some time, but I have still been playing in the ACBL games with the robots. Overall they have improved a lot in the last few years, far fewer ridiculous actions. Here is one area where, unfortunately, nothing has improved. In a slam auction, after GIB has bid 4NT and found all key cards present, it typically goes on to 5NT, asking for specific kings. The problem is, GIB does not know how to use that information. I have had many auctions where say, GIB has a long side suit such as QJxxx or better. Once I show the K of that suit, GIB should be able to count at least 13 tricks. But it still stops at the 6 level. I personally don't recall GIB ever bidding a grand slam after the 5NT ask. This problem has been ongoing for many years, it's time to put it on the schedule for upgrade.

I would pass this N hand, but the same question arises with the D or A of D instead of the Q. I am not fond of either choice but I would open 1C and rebid 1NT. A 1H opening is not a consideration.

This is a very weak 15 point hand, and lacks 3 Spades. I would open 1H and rebid 1NT over 1S.

Right of course. But with 3H and 2C.....

Absolutely no option but to Pass. And while I do play semi-forcing 1NT with 2/1, doing so does not guarantee that partner has more than 3 Diamonds. You only pass if you would not accept a delayed (3 card) limit raise. So with say AKJxx, xx, AQx, xxx you would still bid 2D.

Last couple of times I looked for it, the "Send Robot Report" function wasn't there any more. To me that was that final clear statement from BBO that there was no longer any intention to improve GIB. To KSK - if you want to hundreds, or thousands, of comments from players about GIB errors, just read this forum for, say, the last 5 years.

The first thing to understand is that SAYC is not a system. It is a set of simple agreements designed for beginning and intermediate players. It makes no pretense of being able to handle difficult bidding situations. I would say this is true of any basically standard set of agreements that include 5-card majors with a non-forcing 1NT response. I completely agree with your evaluation of hands A and C. In earlier years, the auction 1S - 1NT - 4S showed a hand more like E. I expect that most players up to the advanced level would rebid 3S with both C and D. You are of course correct that this may be an underbid with D. The "false jump shift" of a 3C rebid is another option with D. When you reach that level of evaluation, it is one clue that it is time to abandon SAYC for more advanced methods.

Double, any vulnerability or form of scoring. Faint heart rarely wins the bridge game. I had to laugh at the comment that fears a jump advance from partner. Really? If partner jumps to a major suit game I expect an easy make.

On overall strength, the W hand is a minimum for double-and-bid. But the S void is a huge minus. I would overcall 1H. It's true that E has a possible 2S opener at favorable. Having not done that, 3S is exactly correct. Now back to W as it went. H spots call for action, so 3NT OK. E has bid the hand and should pass, but I suppose most would go on to 4S. I have no idea what S was doubling on at any point.

You are playing the most common version of Lebensohl over weak twos. None vul at IMP's you hold K642, KJT5, AKJx, A. RHO opens 2S. Your action? If you double and partner bids 2NT, (about 8 or fewer HCP, requests takeout to 3C but does not promise that suit), then what?

Right, no option other than 2D, and I like your 5S bid. I am surprised that GIB did not accept with 14 HCP. You using Blackwood would be useless.

True, 6NT isn't a great bid. It's ten times better than your 2C though. Make one of your small Spades the K, giving you an actual (though still light) 2C bid, and 6NT is cold without a D lead and has great chances with one.