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Where be the rum, me hearties?

I will join the XNT brigade. Sean

There is one thing you all haven't mentioned when playing against a client/pro pair. The client will always signal truly, whether it is count or attitude. The pro will play any card since the client will be too busy worrying about their signals. (Depending on the quality of the client) This is actually worth a large amount of IMPs. This is a really bad book, written by an intermediate/advanced player at the time, and printed by his own company or a friend's company. Sean

My vote just brought it up to about 39% for pass, clearly a LA. Sean

I am not so sure that Freddie as captain is a good idea, he already has too much to do. Traditionally bowlers and allrounders are not the best choice as captains. They usually bowl themselves too little or too much. Many say he is the next "Botham", and rejoice at his new posting. Perhaps it should be remembered that when Botham was captain, he played nowhere near to his ability. It will be interesting to see how he goes as captain. Sean

When I enter an Indie and get a player of dubious quality, I just hope there are enough rounds left for me to get this person as LHO or RHO instead of CHO :rolleyes: Sean

No adjustment, as Richard said. ***** happens. Sean

I agree with Peter, this is not a 4-9 point hand, 2♦ makes everything easier. Sean

On a semi-related topic, what do people play on this auction: 1NT P 3NT X Sean

Are they coming in as subs? That has always been a backdoor in. Sean

Oops, I should have given the team also (not that it has many surprises): Langer Hayden Ponting Martyn Hussey Clarke/Watson Gilchrist Warne Lee Clark McGrath Not sure about Clark's batting, McGrath may get another run at number 10 ;) Sean Edit: As an extra thought, damn this team is getting on in years, too many are holding on for the world cup or next Ashes in England. We need to blood some younger players.

In a build-up to the Ashes from an Aussie front, the talk right now is about who will be batting at number 6, and surprisingly that is centred around how Glenn McGrath comes back. If McGrath is bowling well, then Michael Clarke will be at number 6, if it isn't coming out too well then it will be Shane Watson. Other than that the only other possible suprise in the Australian line up will be Stuart Clark as a bowler, an honest fast-medium out swing bowler with a decent seam position and a surprising off-cutter. Sean

Has anyone reviewed "Fair Play or Foul?" by Cathy Chua yet? Sean

This is one of the most silly rules ever contrived. It is legal to rub the ball to shine it; however, consider this, how many times have you seen a spinner rub his hand on the pitch and then thake the ball to have more grip? Is this not imparting a different condition upon the ball? Let's go on another angle... If I decided to soak a particular part of my white with oil or lacquer ot make it super easy to change the ball... we all know that is illegal. If I chose to put talcum powder on my had to facillitate the release of the ball from my hand that is legal. Personally, I think if Pakistan wanted to really dig in, they would win in the courts as the law is unenforceable as it has too many contradictions. Sean PS: In some ways I am glad Darrell Hair is Australian. It means he can't umpire in our matches. It is a sad reflection that this thought came to me so quickly.

4♠, 7-4 is too powerful to pass. Sean

There is no answer yet. People have proven mathematically which is better between 4 card majors and 5 card majors, not surprisingly, it has been proven both ways. :D Same with reverse vs natural carding. Sean

I would have been in the 1NT camp also. Sean

To me this is a double shot. "11-15 pts 6cs or 5cs and 4cd major" Lets get realistic here. IF we take the person's suggestion that this was unclear, let's really think about it. IF this were the case, wouldn't the description be: 11-15 pts 5+cs and 4cd major? It is my belief that the person in question has found a use of grammar that could be beneficial. They have defied logic to do this as everyone knows we all type the shortest possible alert to cover ourselves. We all know we would choose the second alert text if this was the case. Regarding the alert, my only advice would be not grammar or punctuation, it would be capitalisation: 11-15 pts 6cs OR 5cs and 4cd major This is very clear without having to find brackets etc Sean

I am not sure if 11 is correct, as I have seen a leg gully and a fine leg used at the same time on many occasions. I thought the rule was more than 5 fielders on the leg side. Also, there is another rule for one day cricket. Not having the required number of fielders within the circle for the corresponding point of the game. Sean

This isn't the first Dubya decision based on religion. Remeber him ordering that all schools would teach "Intelligent Design" alongside Evolution? It took the courts to overturn that one. Sean

A horrible ruling. The 2NT was clearly not a mistake, not an inadvertency. None of the above. It was a bid made with systemic meaning, then the player thought better of it. It is very clear this is the case since the alert was made. South would have been blacklisted from any of my future Tourneys for this. This is in many ways cheating. When an Undo has a clear meaning as it does in this case, and the hand fits, to ask for an Undo is reprehensible. It is an absolute contravention of any ethics base I would like to see in any people that play in my Tourneys. An Undo should only ever be granted when someone has misclicked, I have done it, everyone has done it, accidental weak jump overcall to 2♠ instead of 2♥ or something. This is clearly something different. Personally, I would love to know the name of the director so I can avoid their future sideshows (Tourneys) Sean

I would like to know west's 2nd ♠ Sean

Oops, I accidentally chose Pass isntead of 1♥! I meant to bid 1♥, so it is still sort of unanimous. Sean

The one at my school was "Are you still having sex with your sister?" Sean

Call me cynical, but I am opting for December 24th 2006. Sean