Michael000

Thanks for that . . I can see what you say, I will use it to try and get results matching the Hand Analysis feature for 3, 4 and 5 missing cards.

I have now found this feature and spent some hours playing with it and it is very nice. . . .my problem is (and I recognise that it may be just my problem) I can't see why any one possible split would be more or less likely than any other. For me that breaks all the rules of probability. If someone could explain that to me so that I can move on I'd be grateful?

When I registered I input my username(which unusually is my real name)in lower case yet it appear on the BBO play site in uppercase. Why; How do I change it to lower case?

Getting back to the first scenario with the Q 8 6 4 of spades with the opposition is it not the case that all possible splits are as follows: . . . .WEST . . . . .EAST . . . . . .Q x x x . . . . . . . . . . .Q x x . . . . . .x . . . .Q x . . . . . . .x x . . . .Q . . . . . . . . .x x x . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Q x x x . . . .x . . . . . . . . Q x x . . . .x x . . . . . . .Q x . . . .x x x . . . . . .Q And if that is the case, two have a 2-2 split and two have a singleton Q split . . . so on half of all possible splits the Q falls to an A K play for the probability of it falling is 50%?

Thanks for the helpful reply

Thank you . . . . If anyone can help me with the maths that gets it to 53.13% I'd appreciate it (I'm not doubting it, I'd just like to see where I went wrong) Edit . . . I'll further explore the analysis feature, the answer may be there Thanks again

I did find the 'More' button and I did recover information similar to that which you posted but my question is - does the feature have the answer to my question and if so how do I interpret or extract that answer. The example I gave which you have re-produced with the analysis suggests that there is a 41% chance of a 2/2 split and a 25% chance of a 3/1 split and of course there is a 25% chance of the Q being a singleton in that 4/1 split . . . if my maths are correct (please do correct me) that means (or does it) that, with this hand, there is a 65% chance of the Q dropping on a straight play of the A K. Can I know how you created/input into the analysis feature, the example hand I gave? Is there an 'Even More' button?

[hv=pc=n&s=s7532hdc&n=sakjt9hdc]133|200[/hv] For example, with this hand, what is the statistical percentage probability chance of the Q dropping to the play of the A K? [hv=pc=n&s=s742hdc&n=sakjt9hdc]133|200[/hv] And, with this hand what is the statistical percentage probability chance of the Q dropping to the play of the A K?

Yes I've done that but, unless I am missing something, it simply seems to list the percentage chance of the opposition cards being split.

I've been trying to work out the statistical probability of a card dropping to the play of 'x' number of higher cards in an attempt to identify whether it is better to play or finesse. I note that the BBO site has a 'hand analysis' feature, can someone explain to me how I interpret the information in this feature?

As an aside . . . am I right in saying that there is only a 12.5% chance of the KS being a singleton?

I saw one person with 5,000+ logins who chose to describe themselves as a beginner! That aside (and this is NOT important) I have formed the view that most people choose Intermediate because it's 'easy'. I wonder whether we would be better served with a category between Intermediate and Advanced to allow the beginners with 5,000+ to occupy the Intermediate category and the real Intermediates to occupy a 'Competent' or 'Experienced' category? As I say it's not important but I find myself avoiding the Privates because they're an unknown, the Advanced because I don't play 'leaping puppets' and the beginners because it's difficult to avoid getting into lengthy chats about what and why.

Skill Level Amongst the option to choose from in 'Skill Level' is 'Private'. I look at an open table of players and I look at their profile and I see Private which tells me nothing. Are they below Novice or are they 'humble' Experts? 1. On a cultural level (the culture of this Bridge site) what skill level are Private at? 2. Why does BBO have this option choice available, what's the reason for it, what function does it serve?

I looked up Jacoby 2NT (which appears primarily of use to those playing 5cm) and that led me onto Splinters and that threw up more questions which ordinarily (on any ordinary Forum (a Forum being a place to discuss and exchange information)) I would have simply asked but having got to the stage where I am having to carefully think through everything I post for fear of irritating those here who believe they are breathing are more rarefied air than the rest of us mortals I'll ask elsewhere. Thanks for the 'helpful' posts

Thanks for the helpful explanation and an answer (Jacoby) to a question I had previously asked on how to show strength. I believed that one would need some way of indicating slam interest/showing strength and at my rudimentary level of the game that was a jump shift bid. I presume Jacoby is preferred because it takes up less bidding space . . . I'll look it up and do some reading.