keithhus

i am a beginner (acol) but have not played for a few months (lost a bit of confidence). I decided to try the "play anonymously" site but struggle with the system the robot uses. Is there a way I can change the robot system to acol. Thank you

I am a beginner. Could someone advise please whether double would be an acceptable bid and if not, why not. I was told that double after a major means I have the other major. Thanks

I was told that 3NT opening was preemptive I.e. 7 of a minor with all 4 honours. Is that not valid? I play Acol. Thanks

Redouble!,, 1. More points - obvious 2. No support for Cs 3. No support for majors - obvious Partner would then bid D or NT with C stopper or pass . Flying a kite but what do you think!

Thanks Diana. My response was wrong,. In my system, a double jump is weak showing 7 cards. Should have bid 2 S ( single jump) showing strength (16 pts and 6 cards). Interestingly, most responders show a 1S response! I take your point about maintaining head room.u

Oops, you are right, double jump is weak. Thanks

Helene, I appreciate there are limitations to my approach, hence why I asked the question, but I felt it would be beneficial in the majority of cases. However, there does seem to be very limited , if any support. I think I need to scrap my current approach and use gerber solely after NT and learn to use control bids, although this requires a partner of similar mind. Thank you to all respondents. I will study everyone's comments and may revert if I need any clarification. Thanks once again.

Currently, my bidding would be the same in both cases - i.e. Open 1H/1C; I would expect response to be 3S and I would bid gerber. Could you help me please in telling me where/why I am going wrong. I do not use control bids at present but from responses, I think this is something I should attempt to adopt. I appreciate, as has been said by Helene, that my current approach of using gerber does preclude some bids but I thought I had a nice simple system!! Thank you everyone for your responses; I clearly need to reconsider. Sorry, should add that my current system is that 4 C is always gerber regardless of previous bid.

Yes but I don't see the point of going to 5 as score is same if I bid 4 and make 5 and certainly safer. Hence I have been looking to bid 4 or 6 and that is why I have been using gerber more extensively than perhaps I should.

Thanks for response. I am aware that some pairs use gerber only after NT but I use it with any bid. This way I can stay at the 4 (game ) level, whereas Blackwood would put the bidding higher. As you say I should use Blackwood and gerber correctly, I assume you would disagree with my approach. I am not aware of kickback or minor wood but will look into them to see if they appeal . Thanks once again for taking trouble to respond.

Thanks for response. What I mean by keeping bidding low is that if partnership is say, missing 2A s I can bid game (e.g. 4S) by using gerber but need to go to 5 if using Blackwood.

Thanks Helene. I'll think about t it but don't I need gerber to keep bidding low?

because of some recent experiences, I am thinking of advising my partners that 4 Clubs is always gerber and 4 NT is always Blackwood, regardless of previous bids. Bearing in mind the level I am playing at, do you think this is a sensible approach? Thanks

advice would be appreciated. I bid 4th suit with xxx. Partner bid 3 NT. Contract badly down. I understood that bidding 4th suit is asking partner if he has a stopper in that suit. If I have a stopper I would bid NT. Partner advised that bidding 4th suit advises that I have a stopper. This is not blame culture, but which understanding is correct, or is it down to partnership agreement? Thanks

Thanks Helene

My teaching was - . With a singleton red, open with suit below singleton . With a black, open with suit in the middle Is this still valid? Thanks

Apologies for error, should have typed 12-19.

advice would be appreciated. At the club I am playing at (acol) many pairs open a club and announce 12-19 pts. I assume it could be a natural bid but may not. Openers partner responds a suit and a points range is announced. Neither bid appears to be natural. I assume this is precision club. I find this a bit disconcerting. To date I have over called in the normal manner if I have sufficient points /cards but passed if I have the suit bid - e.g clubs. Could anyone tell me of a counter system I could use that can similarly confuse the opposition? Thanks

Helene, thank you for this, very helpful.

Thank you everyone for your responses. I wasn't aware that a 1NT rebid after a double meant a specific (higher) point range and card holding I.e. 2/3 S. I need to explore further, particularly to understand the rationale. Txs again.

Is not the decision to overcall 1NT predicated on knowing what Souths hand is? I know it gives a point count but so does Double and it does not mislead on shape. With respect, I would feel much more comfortable with a double by N , followed by 1NT after having received a 1S response. Same ending but much safer?

Could you tell me please what is meant by faced, thanks.

Thank you for your reply. Just for clarification, re your comment on bids above 3nt - E.g Gerber, are you saying that alerts are not necessary? If so and ops ask for clarification, who answers, bidder or partner? Thanks.

I found the discussion on the definition of Acol most interesting. Thank you I have a question regarding alerting . I have got into hot water recently because I have failed to alert/stop BUT more importantly, alerted when I was the bidder - e.g. 4C(gerber). Could someone tell me please what the rationale is for the bidder's partner to alert; what is so wrong with the bidder alerting staymen/gerber etc. and why do you have to alert a jump (stop). Thanks

Thank you all for your responses which I will study further. Just wanted to apologise, I posted on wrong forum. Txs again.