jchiu

I remember three things about that event - it was a weekend event running concurrent the open swiss - people played so slowly that I had trouble catching my train out of Penn Station - there were hardly any late play penalties, even in the final

Reasons 1. Time. There are so many places to visit and so little vacation time. For my 25 business days vacation, Mersin, Yokohama and Biarritz are higher on my list than about two thirds of nationals. This year, I will play USA1 Juniors in Philadelphia (and regret I cannot attend Mersin due to work committments that season). 2. Season. I know that I perform poorly when it is hot and humid outside, or confined in a hotel as a result. 3. Gulf disaster. Perhaps seafood options are limited. I likely cannot enjoy a proper dinner anyways as if the start times were 11.00 and 16.00. 4. Direct flights. I might fly Thursday or Friday around 16.30 and return Monday around 06.00 for both weekends if there were nonstop flights from SFO. Not Really Reasons 1. Money. A recent short Bordeaux-Sofia-Varna trip probably cost the same as four NABCs. I likely drank one in wine alone. Most of the ACBL is much more affluent than they appear, and committees should notice this. 2. Events. People play against their peers at all three nationals. A new event is unlikely to skew this pattern.

Interesting thread for sure. Having been bored enough to read the entire thread, I offer three reasons not already mentioned that affect my bridge results. In order, I think my perception of ability is affected by 1. Randomness - already mentioned 2. Perception of partner (and teammate) skill relative to all of my partners. If I think a partner is below average, I will start pointing out more mistakes, operating more frequently and making more mistakes. Playing a more conservative game when I am afraid to step out on a limb also has reduced the upside of my actions. 3. General feeling toward the playing conditions. Positive examples include - that cute caddy (maybe related to Csaba's frivolous comment above) - having a comfortable hotel room - having a short but pleasant walk, generally outdoors - having a good breakfast, not the bacon, eggs and sweet cereal/pastries - having a relaxed discussion environment during the tournament 4. Playing too fast - already mentioned 5. Form. This is what they discuss in Cricinfo analysis articles, or what they call slumps in baseball. It is much more difficult to break out of three or four poor days to start a tournament than fall off a showing of good form.

South knew that north does not have a heart control for his signoff. Five hearts was taken through rosy glasses. 70% south, 30% not playing 3di shows a short diamond.

Of the five calls there, natural except 4N, which would be keycard for hearts.

No bid, wtp?

If I knew the opponents were vegetables, use specific ace blackwood. Otherwise, open one diamond and try not to bypass more than four cards in the bidding box at a time.

Partner has a perfecto here, and we should try making twelve. Ride it around to the king and float the heart jack (assume spades not 4-0) A. Holds, diamond toward the deuce. Spade comes back, win the ace. Heart ace and a high ruff. 1. Spades are 2-2. Take the club finesse as a last resort. 2. Spades are 3-1 and heart king still outstanding. Take the club finesse for twelve, presumably five spades, a diamond ruff, three clubs and three hearts. 3. Spades are 3-1 and heart king falls. Claim before I hold myself to eleven. B. Loses 1. If they cash a diamond, and return a spade, try a crossruff. 2. Immediate spade return, won in dummy. Heart ace-queen, dumping diamonds, all if 4-3, and a club finesse in the end. Unlucky if lefty ruffs the queen.

Nice problem. I don't care much for five-four two suiter bids, as it may be a great way to go for a number. A doubleton club on my left is certain. Lefty has practically be 3352 or defending 1N would have saved us five IMPs. I play with pure instinct, as I have played all my life 1. Win the club ace, heart toward the jack. A. Diamond to the ace (most likely), spade ace-king, ruff a spade, heart. Likely eight tricks - three spades, long heart, diamond ace, three clubs. B. They draw trump, then lead a diamond (daft), win in hand and play three top spades. Why didn't you raise me to game, partner :P? 2. Try to not lose too many IMPs. Diamond ace, diamond ruff, spade ace-king, spade ruff, diamond ruff, spade tossing a diamond. If they overruff the H8, shoot a club through, and tap out the dummy, I am minus. Otherwise, likely +110.

Standard safety play, win the club king and low to the heart ace. If either shows out, I'll play a diamond. Otherwise, heart to king and a diamond.

Playing with a lot of my regular partners, it would undoubtedly go 1di - p - p - 1he p - 2nt - p - 3nt all pass I probably want to be in 3nt south, but as REM put it, ....

My default agreement is something like this shows spades, so I am happy to pass. However, with prior discussion, I believe it would be useful on frequency to define this sequence - along with anything above 1N, until people start baby psyching such calls.

On the first day of real events in San Diego, you eschew the Life Master pairs to play the top bracket regional knockout. You see several big sponsors in your row [bracket]: Cayne, Mahaffey among others. Fortunately (or unfortunately), you did not draw one of those teams. On the first board you pick up (fourth in hand at unfavourable) A52 KJ642 10652 3 The auction proceeds (by the opponents) 1D-1S; 3C-3S; 4S-P. You lead the C3 and see Q94 A AQJ97 KJ87 The tricks proceed C3-7-A-Q C2-9-S2-8 D2-7-8-K S3- Do you agree with the diamond play at trick three, and what now? Will you have a shot to draw one of the big teams for the evening?

Pass Pass Pass 1C Pass 1H Pass 1S Pass 2N Pass 3N Both Vulnerable, IMPs Lefty leads the DQ and you see A10xx Ax 9x KQ10xx 9xx KJxx AK8x xx Plan the play.

Closer to psychic 4♥ cuebid than pass