amateur_

It seems the respondents deviated a bit from the topic question - thanks to Laura for raising it. Also, the overall shared opinion seems not in favor of any BBOskill usefulness. Still, to me this is a fair barometer to judge whom BBOer to pick for a random play. I won't be unsuspicious toward a BBOskill score of 2400 or more, of course. On the opposite, the lowest scores there could be taken easily for granted. Being deprived from such a tool, I am forced to go more often to http://www.bridgebase.com/myhands to check one's records. It is helpful to read again the official BBO stance on eventual skill level measurement system mentioned by Helene. In the light of the recent cheater cases at the highest bridge level make the concerns about not spoiling "the mostly pleasant social atmosphere" and avoiding “social problems and cheating" not so convincing. The ethics and bridge skills cannot be separated; hence, putting the statistics totally aside in the information era seems somewhat bizarre.

Thank you for clarification and remarks - 4th option "Pass" was added. I emphasized the topic "trap-pass" since its meaning is "an opening hand not eligible for any meaningful overcall or double" to me. Namely, trap-pass is not defined by or being a prerequisite for further bidding, including eventual decision to penalize or 2♥ or chase own game contract in this example. Normal pass shall cover all hands not eligible for either meaningful overcall, double or trap-pass, which seems not applicable for our case. Once offered a normal or trap-pass, every rebid by West shall exclusively depend on following auction i.e. type of initial pass could be hardly destinguished in many situations.

Last two posts are entering another topic - trap-pass. It would be educative and curious if respondents also elaborate on why they classify the pass in question as a trap-pass or nor.

You're sitting West & playing an andvanced partner at a casual BBO table, red vs green, RHO opened weak 2♥ [hv=pc=n&w=skj42haq83d8ca984&d=s&v=e&b=3&a=2h]133|200[/hv] 2NT by West would promise 15-18, usually. Choice of trap-pass or double (garanteeng spade 4-carder being under 16-count) dilemma appeares initially. And obvious drawbacks: In the former case - pass, partner would be put on pressure should North either pass (balancing hand) or raise (quite unlikely having 10 hearts already allocated). Thus, part-score or game in spades is endangered. Not such an issue exists holding 1444 and same count, in my view. In the latter case - doubling 2♥, following a 3♦ response by partner your 3NT rebid could sound more as 16+ with four spades or 18(19)+ without spades. Consequently, pard may be tempted to start a slam try ending in a tough/undoable contract. Is there a way to mitigiate these risks, and what to choose?

Thanks Wayne for posting the whole hand. Well, it happened to be not so straight sequence. To me, partners should build gradually upon each other's auction. What I would take for granted being in the balancing seat after double, is that partner offers a sound penalty. Alternatively, East would choose between PASS (when penalty is uncertain), further calls showing his trap-pass: 2NT (natural, up to 13-count, clear tollerance in minors), 3♣ is at least 45 in minors. Thus, the balancing seat is about to choose accordingly. As per the actual table, 3♦ followed by West and 4♥ by East for 620, surprisingly scoring only 30% (good effort by Forum members at the remaining tables:-).

From the recent BBO forum tourney: [hv=pc=n&w=st5hakt85dq864ck3&d=n&v=b&b=13&a=1spp2h2sdp?]133|200[/hv] Various opinions were collected from around the table about the nature of the double and what shall be West's consequent bid. To sum them up: it might not be obvious that it was intended to be a penalty. Could be competitive with minors and 2 hearths, since, the rewards of playing take-out doubles is greater, moreover since partner will balance often so you get the benefit of passing that take-out double as well. However, this approach deprives East from a penalty. Clearly, there is a need for some consensus about an apparently standard situation.

Another uncharted territory I came upon recently - 2♥(2♠)? imagine sitting N in http://tinyurl.com/lbbbcx4 Options: Pass is probably the wisest choice. Then 3m - I guess competitive bids (not forcing). 2NT - not fully exempted however ruled out due to ♥ void. Next puzzle - what about DBL, is it penalty having pd's 2♥ hand clear limits? Clearly, no successful penalty is certain looking at N hand itself, but nevertheless possible experiment. Curious to hear your assessment about DBL and 3♣/♦ meaning in this layout.

http://tinyurl.com/ooewru3 E-W casual BBO partners. After pd's vuln 2nd level overcall, first dilemma goes to East - 10 hcp and 4-4 in black suits, with ♥Q probably useless though. Is this enough to double? Or he'd rather pass in case of a lighter 2♦ hoping that W will resume bidding in balanced seat? (Sorry for using tinyurl link - I'm illiterate/never successful in inserting image/handviewer link in this forum, your hints welcome :-))

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