woodych

Thank you 1eyedjack and mikestar13 That has made a big difference to my confidence. I was starting to feel like I was the one in the wrong all the time, thanks to private messages from the likes of that recent player you do not name. I can think of quite a few words to insert there mike,lol! Thank you both again:)

Thank you 1eyedjack. He was only a partner for one hand being the free automated tournaments, but perhaps he has seen me play in others. But as you say no need for those messages and as you also say there will I am sure be others as there have been before this one, some not printable which I have passed onto abuse@bbo. My average match points is around 45% which I didn't think was that bad but I guess some players hate playing with anyone below an intermediate but at least I do not hold myself out to be an expert, just someone trying to learn the game. I will indeed let is wash over me:)

I have taken the advice provided by players in this thread and I have since always responded to my partners double, especially where no bid from ops came after the double, however bad my hand might seem to me. It certainly has been proved to be the correct thing to do. Today I doubled a 1NT openner from ops as i had 18 facecard points. No bid came from the other op and my partner passed too. I admit my partner had zero face card points but he did have 5 spades. As it turned out we lost big time. Op should have been in a much higher bid but of course I had no chance to make that happen. The most frustrating thing about the hand was not that my partner passed but that he later sent me a private message after the tournament to say what a beginner I was and how he had added my name to his blacklist? Was I wrong to double the ops 1nt openner? I feel he should have replied with 2s at least to push ops above the 1nt doubled? Thank you

I would like to thank everyone who has taken the time out to reply to my questions, it is very much appreciated and I don't feel so silly asking them after all. You have shown how complicated the game really is and that even at my tender age of 54 I have plenty of years learning still to do. I recall I first played bridge in my early teens. I enjoyed it then, but of course then other past times took over and we can guess what they probably were.... It is only in the last 2-3 years I have started playing again and enjoy it very much. Some times it can get very competative and I do feel bad about any partner I am with at the time when I make mistakes, but I realise we all make them however good we are, and that we make those and hopefully learn from them. Thanks again:)

Thank you for that:)

Thank you for that, appreciated:)

Thank you for that:)

Thank you that all makes sense. I do try to work out where cards are as you suggest. I guess playing a lot of games will help with that as experience gives rise to better understanding Great explanations, that you very much:)

Thank you Rik I get it, bad hand still bid, good hand jump or game Yes i keep trying and will always do so because as you say it is a good game:)

Thank you Helene Never thought i could bid with so few points on a double, i have a lot to learn even after all these years, i shall be 90 before i "really get it" !! But i see what you mean now:) Peter

Very true, and i have a lot of reading to do on defending. Thank you

PS sorry for getting wrong forum.

Thank you both for great replies. Wow, I really didn't realise how complicated bridge was until i saw those replies..lol I can see yes each hand on its own merits. wow this game is tuff:( Back to the drawing board for me. Thank you again:)

PS: I wasn't meaning it was wrong to keep aces, just needed to know what majority view was on this.

Yes I have been on the end of those plays many times:(

I have two questions on bridge and would be grateful for any replies. Doubling: If my partner doubles our opponents opening bid (whether that is 1,2 or 3)and the 3rd seat does not respond to my partners double, am I oblidged to respond myself whatever my hand is like? I only ask because I have been asked by many past players I should respond to my partners double whatever I have and especially if the 3rd seat passes. However, this has often left us with a bad contract which we can never make and I feel bad as I responded with a poor hand but felt I was required to respond to my partners double. Keeping hold of aces: Time and time again I see players keeping hold of aces when the opponents are in a 4+ contract and ultimately never getting to use them because of distribution. I appreciate aces are useful to get the lead back, but if one is defending a 4+ contract I always believed it was better to get those ace tricks while you can. Any advise is very much appreciated. Thank you, from a very average player:)

Thank you very much for the replies and the information. Bottom lime it seems to me is that something needs to change? I could gayfully conceded hands left right and center if i was malicious enough and my partner it seems cannot stop that, which seems a very sad place to be in!

Thank you i didn't know that. Not sure I would have gone that far though, I was just shocked that it could happen as It could be abused by vindictive players and those just enjoying messing peoples score. I seem to recall that where those with the contract claim, both ops have to accept but i might be wrong there? If i am right it should apply to both claims and concedes.

Thank you, careless was not the word that sprang to mind but i agree,it is careless.

I recently played in a tournament and my partner (who I had never met before) conceded the hand and the opponent accepted. I had no say in that and could do nothing to stop it. The conceding was wrong because I had an ace left and the other pair could not avoid me using it. The results of the other tables supported this as all were set by one trick, ours was the only single table where the contract was made. Following an email to support I have been told yes any player can conceded a hand and if ops accept that there is nothing the other partner can do to stop that. This seems a very unfair rule and can be open to abuse as I believe was in this case. Does anyone else here believe this to be an unfair rule? if not why not, please explain? Thank you