hallway

Already on the BIL's Recommended Book List Luke - thx anyway

Ece - maybe it is just because the TD Club has not been sending out any broadcast notices lately :rolleyes: I have not had any for ages - I assume I am still on the list :D

I wish that when you cursor over a name it would show that the person was Directing when they are Directing a Tournament. One knows if they are playing at a table and where that table is One knows when they are playing in a tournament One knows when they are kibbing wherever that may be but one cannot determine that a TD is TDing and therefore 'run off their seats' !! :rolleyes: a nice notice would be " TDing - do not disturb" or maybe "Directing - private chat disallowed"

Any initiative that can be seen to help newcomers to bridge will get my full support :) At present every new member who joins the BIL receives a welcome letter and in it they are directed to the BIL- CLUBNEWS which is accessible to them 24/7. In particular they are encouraged to : Study the Helpful Hints section that guides them through learning to make the most out of using the site and therefore the benefits that the BIL provides. They are encouraged to read BBO's Bridge Library and in particular to download Learn to Play Bridge 1 and 2 . They are encouraged to purchase Bridgemaster 2000 (either edition as suited to their level) They are directed to a Recommended Books page (my thanks to Inquiry for his advice in compiling that). There is a Links page to the BIL teacher's websites and other links that members (thank you Sceptic) have found helpful. They are invited to make contact with the Host/ess from their region. The BIL is fortunate to already have some dozen volunteer members speaking an even greater number of languages (members now come from 78 countries) who do set up tables in the BIL from time to time simply to do as has been suggested in this thread - play with the newcomers (not teach, just play) and to be of help in translating . ♦ However, the more upper intermediates who are willing to do this the better and even more useful if they can commit to a regular time that can be advertised .♦ Sadly the Clubnews is limited in size and I am using it to the max. My bright idea to 'acquire' the unused space that other Private Clubs do not use is not possible - Uday would have if he could have . So any initiatives that will make it possible to do more, especially for the BEGINNERS, will be most welcome . The BIL does btw have a beginners section - which of course only the beginners have access to :rolleyes: Oh and I haven't forgotten to direct all new members to BBForums :D

Since the upgrade whenever I click on DF I get the message Netbridgevu Error cause unknown Everything freezes Click close Booted off BBO Happened five times in a row so gave up Anyone else have that happening?

Good idea JOHN !! I look forward to receiving the Outline in the near future. Something different to start off 2005

To those of you who feel that having entered a PAIRS event that you have the right to only play with your chosen partner and that a SUB should be prepared to be penalised by being subbed out at yours and your partners convenience I would suggest you arrange to have your own SUB on standby. !! Just message the TD - you can sub in xxxx if either I or my partner disconnect and as soon as we come back (if and when we do) you can sub xxxx out again. The TD will be happy , the Sub presumably will be happy and you and your partner will be happy !! Why is it the TD's (those doing the work !) who are always held to account - isn't it time the Players took upon themselves a little of the responsibility

Without SUBS my life would be a nightmare - I love SUBS Under no circumstances would I sub out a SUB, unless the SUB themselves specifically asked me to do so. I do get offers to sub for 2 or 3 hands in which case if the orginal player is back online I will let them know they can be returned. The SUB and the SUB alone decides when the exchange will take place. As Ben pointed out being subbed IN then subbed OUT counts as a disconnect . No power on earth would make me so penalise a SUB . The SUB is making it possible for me to see the tournament through to a conclusion - the disconnected player (even if the reason for the disconnect is no fault of theirs) put the tournament in jeopardy. (besides which as I have pointed out to more than one whining because I will not kick out the person who filled in for them - the chances are if their connection is already unstable they may disconnect again before the end and THEN they will have 2 disconnects against their name and may well find themselves BANNED for a week - that usually elicits an "OH !! thank you I had better just Kib then " ) - every cloud as a silver lining :-))

MEMBERS SEEKING HELP Ladies and Gentlemen, The BIL is already blessed with the help of many who give unstintingly of their time to hold regular teaching sessions, small group mentoring, one on one mentoring, directing tournaments, contributing to the weekly Newsletter. For me that is the HEART of what BBO is all about - those that know sharing their knowledge with those who want to know. Everytime I log in I am greeted by more who want to join the BIL and the more who join the more I have seeking personal help. So now I am seeking your help. More Mentors are needed. If you can spare an hour or two (or three :D ) to help with some one on one mentoring please get in touch with me -who you are, (tall, dark and handsome: blond, blue eyed and leggy , doesn't cut it :P ) the system you prefer, the time/s you could be available, the skill level you would prefer to work with. Mentors are given an honorary membership so that you can work with my members in the Chatroom, the Partnership Bidding Room or in the peace and quiet of the BIL. Mentoring no doubt has it's frustrations but also it's rewards, as one mentor wrote to me just yesterday "I have been her coach for approximately six weeks at this point and I find she is advancing at an astounding pace. " Wow , how cool is that !! (needless to say that isn't me :) ) Hope to hear from a good many of you.

I tried that a few months back - didn't work I will be interested to read the various options for making it happen now .

I am pleased and proud that the BIL has made it through to the end of it's first Year. It was a very real privelege to have Fred launch our Celebrations with one of his so very special THINK with FRED Sessions. Made even more special having with us Sheri his Wife and Joan his Mother . It is all too easy Online to forget that BBO exists soley through Fred, Uday and Sheri's time , expertise and committment - so many members take for granted all that is given to them. In the BIL we put to good use every advancement possible - though I confess that often leads to more "Wishes". I endorse what Timbitt says about Fred's sessions - the essence that makes them truly great and memorable is the way he exemplifies the fact that bridge is a game of Partnership ! If all my members can take that on board and as Timbitt says practice that like one possessed then there's no telling how many great players will emerge from the BIL. You can learn all the systems, a 1000 conventions and count till the 'cows come home' but until you learn to have Respect for and Trust in your Partner you will never become a Great bridge player. And so having survived a disconnect in the middle of the session - taking out the table with me :rolleyes: and the heart stopping machinations of my Assistant Managers aided and abetted I now learn by Fred and the BIL teachers ;) ;) the Birthday Celebrations are successfully underway - for the next ten days the members will 'party' ending on September 3rd when Jake will present to all of BBO his second Movie in the Lecture Hall "Bridge with Tiger Woods" . THANK YOU - FRED, UDAY and SHERI for all you make possible for the BIL members

Most of the BIL teachers using Play of Hands / Discussion format for their sessions 'sit' at all four places when demonstrating the bidding and play. Members can follow this quite simply by:- Making South at the bottom of the screen By paying attention ;) The Dealer ID is always highlighted (I suggest to members that they select a bright colour for the highlight ) so no problem knowing where the bidding starts and from then on which position is to bid/play. or the teachers can chose to set a North, South, East or West ID at one position (Cascade does this using N o r t h) where there is a will there is a way :rolleyes: If you want to do a quick check when kibbing a group of four players you can always click on the right hand black Table button - the list is headed North South East and West . seek and ye shall find ;)

Thank you Marc for your Birthday Gift to the BIL Your MARATHON was a treat enjoyed by those who took part 24 x 8 minute boards = plenty of time to think about bidding/play (BILlies need that) a short comfort break half way through - very welcome and only 2 Subs needed The BIL will be asking for more for sure. Interestingly I was concerned that Cascade would lose most of his class for his Thursday lesson due to start 15 minutes after the Marathon finished because a large % of them were playing in the Marathon. NOT SO - obviously playing 24 boards had just got them warmed up :rolleyes: Cascade's lesson (usually 11/12 tables) had 16 tables today. Thx ;)

1500 + Happy Birthday Wishes BEN from all at the BIL

and Sceptic be sure to come to class (where else but in the BIL B) ) on Thursday 5 August 14:00 EDT - topic Lebensohl :D - you see though I Love Beginners , I Care for you Intermediates too :rolleyes:

Well this has proved to be an interesting little saga :) I had not had time to come back to BBF to see what had been said when it was time for Mink's Tournament (which btw he has been doing for the BIL members every Friday for the past 8 months :) ) He offered to fix it for me saying that if I enabled NetMeeting I could let him loose amongst my files. :o I did not know I had a NetMeeting :huh: but there it was ! Well that was quite the most fascinating thing - watching my cursor, over which I no longer had control, :o zipping here there and everywhere :unsure: Well the long and short of it is - I was the culprit. :angry: Just prior to the 'black out' happening I had been in the BBO folder which had become something a shambles with all the different lists and condition of contest etc and being a tidy Kiwi at heart I had dallied and done some 'housekeeping' - putting things in sub folders :blink: NetbridgeVu does not like being in a Folder and had it would seem gone on strike ;) Now I should have known ! we all know BBO is extra special :D Once Karl had restored it to it's solitary glory everything worked just fine. :D Bridge.exe - who cares where it is, not BBO - then I am glad to know it cannot be found . A BIG Thank you to Karl for making it right :D and thanks to Fred, Jt, Ack, Burn & Denis for your suggestions. :)

A pair playing a Natural System against a pair playing Precision The First board the Precision Pair opened and alerted 2C and stated it was Precision. The next board, they opened with 2C that was not alerted. On this board, their Opps had a nice Club holding and passed - assuming that as the bid had not been alerted that it was a natural 2 bid. They raised the question (after the hand had been played) Why the first bid was alerted and not the second.? (personally I would have presumed that any subsequent bids would have had the same meaning as that given the first time it was used) ? however, that is not the question - is an Alert of a bid given once during a round sufficient or should the bid have been alerted each time it was used ?

The BIL runs Play & Discuss Teaching Sessions 7 times a week (since February) We upload pre set hands to a Restricted Tournament, everyone play the hands then it's back to the BIL for a discussion. The Teacher gets to go from table to table and can communicate with the players individually, per table or if necessary to the entire group. The Director attends to the housekeeping rounding up subs etc. All the participants get to benefit from the teachers review of each hand after play is completed as do those who prefer to kibitz. Those too 'shy' to play can kibitz the hands being played then attend the lesson afterwards. Works a treat. Why reinvent the wheel ? Make use of what you have already been given before asking for more . Deanrover - could your desire to coach not be served in this way - do you have to use the Team Match facility ?

I was happily watching Luis in action in the BIL yesterday, stocking up on caffeine and answering innumerable lobby messages (it's called multi tasking B) ) When - poof ! the screen went black - totally black - reaction <edited!> :ph34r: Relief :) the box initiated a restart all on it own accord ;) did scanning and all sorts (using it's initiative ! ) then eventually , thankfully, back online :D Log In to BBO - Firewall goes bonkers time after time I had to keep telling it "I KNOW this programme let it do ANYTHING it LIKES !!! - let me back on there for crying out loud :o Finally <sigh> it got the message and all was well I was safely back in the BIL :lol: BUT - there is a BUT all is NOT well Please put your collective computering expertise to work and tell me WHERE HAS MY BRIDGE.EXE GONE ???????? I keep getting Program Not Found Windows Cannot find Bridge. exe This program is needed for opening files of type "Bridge Movie" Location of Bridge.exe c:\ :blink: nothing there Clicked on the Locate button and went on a lengthy ticky tour of who knows where and not a bridge.exe anywhere :( HELP !!!!! LADY IN DISTRESS

The BIL did this last month !! Repeated 3 times not 4. (Bit hard on old girls staying up for 24 hrs -lol) I would have liked to have been able to have merged the results of all three sessions. Did not matter if any of the players played in all the sessions. It was set as an Individual and the odds of any one player sitting in the same seat getting the same hand , with a partner bidding theirs the same, etc in all 12 boards - seemed like a long shot to me .

I must have been having a bad hair day - fighting for my BILlies has as you can see already turned it WHITE nothing left now but to tear it out ;) ************** paulhar has sent you this email from http://forums.bridgebase.com/index.php. I'm afraid that there may be some B/I's out there that may still be confused. If they also did not know that Rado is a top player, OR if they aren't reading the posts too carefully, they might think that you no longer wish to have experts post answers to the beginner's questions here (as I first thought), and that if they want a question answered by experts, they need to go elsewhwere. I sincerely hope that this is not the case, because the elsewhere some of them have been going is into the Expert forum where the answers involve conventions and gadgets I don't even want to think about. It would be truly sad if the beginners thought that the experts weren't going to answer their questions in the Beg/Int forum anymore because they (the B/I's) misunderstood your post. I would have liked to clear this point up but I'm not going to put words in your mouth. But I think SOMEBODY should let the beginners know that the place they should be asking their questions is in the Beginner's forum because the people that answer them will take their beginner status into account. *********** B/I's DO NOT BE CONFUSED - It is I who am confused !! Ben - as a parting recommendation perhaps you should have it pinned at the start of the Forum that B/I's should - ONLY ASK QUESTIONS here . Hmmmm emailing/IMing answers might work ;) - didn't back in Feb (?) 2003 when you tried so very hard - I sincerely hope it will now.

Paulhar, Correct me if I am wrong !!! Is this not the Beginner Intermediate Bridge Discussion Forum ;) Did Rado not ask a Question ;) Is is not reasonable to suppose that the question was meant for US - beginners and intermediates to answer :D Look what has happened - Expert / Expert / Expert have you not all got ENOUGH forums ????????? General, sayc, interesting hands, Advanced expert +++++ that you can interact with one another in. Rado asked US a question - is it likely that ANY of US are going to suggest an answer now - not likely !!! :D Shouldn't WE have been given the opportunity to answer and then for RADO who posed the question for US in the first place to comment on what we have said ???? And people wonder why the BIL is necessary :D Thank You RADO for TRYING . Please send me a Quiz or two or three and I will put them in my Newsletter and if you like to come up with some really easy ones I will post them in my beginners website - ONLY beginners can put in any answers and the next week I will post your sage advice :)

Hi Rado !!! :lol: For those of you new to the Forums RADO is a very special Honorary member of the BIL. He was there right from the very first giving help, support and encouragment through those rocky first months . Don't be a stranger - the door is always open for you.

If I wasn't able to download the results straight away it was a dreadful job trying to find them especially if a day or two had passed :blink: Now :D so easy !! GREATLY APPRECIATED - Thank You

Paul Just a point you may like to factor in to your calculations when assessing the replies you receive from this Poll - btw I would certainly be interested in the result. I give you my word I have not voted - although come to think of it as a BIL -beginner, BBO- intermediate (of the very lesser variety :D ) I have every right to do so. As of reading this - the Forum has 1912 members which , of course, includes all the Advanced, Expert , World Class and Administrators amongst that figure. The BIL has some (round figures) 1500 currently active members. All of whom are encouraged to join the Forum I might add. Firstly when they are granted membership - the Welcome Information they receive directs them to it and then The Lounge - CLUBNEWS introduces Ben (Inquiry) as their Moderator and also supplies a direct Link - which is available to the members to access 24/7. But you see it is only the brave (sceptic and his pals) who take the plunge and join where the Advanced do prowl :D