jikl

I have no idea what to say about the debacle that was the 4th test. There are so many things to say. Sean

Trying to remember who wrote the book, but you want the Cheron book I think. Is is out of print but some people may still have it for sale second hand. This is the bible for odds. Sean

At the risk of putting myself up for abuse or ridicule I will link in an article I wrote a while back on just this subject. B) ABF Newsletter article about Computers and Bridge The article is on page 8. Sean

Is this last post a troll? Or is it actually for real? Sean

I wish I could bid 1♦ here in some ways to find out about ♥s and potential wastage there. However, after the inevitable 1♠ bid I would bid 3♦ as a pretend suit and then make it up as I go along from there. Sean

The problem here is that there are different tax laws when a couple is "married". When someone dies if there is no will then the government steps in to decide who gets what depending on marital status. Health insurance companies give different rates for a "couple". It is because of these government regulations that they have to be involved. Plus you have regulations on who can be married to stop people marrying their pet goldfish. Sean

This is where it gets interesting. The church wants to claim the word marriage. I was not married in a church... am I married? Am I merely part of a government recognised contract of union? Sean

I went for 359, oh well, there goes $20 ;) Sean

Congrats to the Windies, I am far more pleased they won than the English team. Not for English hatred or anything, but it is money going to young cricket players who would not normally see that sort of cash. Sean

2♥ for me, if partner can't move then we may not make 3♥. He/She has ample game suit tries at their disposal below 3♥ if they want to explore game. Sean

That reminds me of when I first started playing and I went to my first youth championships having only played for a few months. I was lucky enough to be on a team with some experienced players and was partnering one of them for a round. We used written bidding for that comp and there was some long bidding sequence where I was waiting to double for penalty. I pressed so hard with my pen that it was very obvious to all it was a penalty double (even though the auction said so also), (we are in a room with 32 tables playing), partner got up from his chair, stood on the chair, and said loudly "I hear you partner" to much laughter. Sean

I play it as unusual. As a side point what do people play these as (using the majors so they are confirmed real suits to supress arguments: 1♥ P 1♠ ? What is: 2♥ 2♠ 2NT I have agreements for these but interested to hear what others play. Sean

I can't believe there is a (current) 48% vote for bidding 4♥ at the moment given the context of the question. You have made a game try asking partner whether we can make game. Partner has said no. You 48% are saying screw you I am bidding it anyway? I hope to not have you as partners. Whilst the system may be sub-optimal, at least respect it when answering. Sean

Acol is much easier to learn, I have supervised players that have 5♠ and 7♣ that always will open 1♠ because they have a 5 card major, then they call me and ask "What do I do now?". If they learn with a 4 card system they already know how to adapt to a 5 card major system without these hangups. Sean

In some ways the Ashes will depend on how England do against India. In England it will also depend on reverse swing since we can't handle it, as proven in 2005 and whenever we play in humid conditions or conditions we are not used to. If the English bowlers have it, then it will be tougher. However our batsmen are far more used to English conditions than Indian ones. Also, spin is less of a factor there. Which is important since we have noone that can turn a ball at the moment apart from Katich who is supposed to open the batting :P The one positive we have in the fast bowling department before then is that Shaun Tait is back and bowling decently. It is VERY clear we are short on quality bowlers at the moment, as would any team without Warne and McGrath. Hopefully Clark will be over his injuries by then so he can maintain that niggling line and nip a few in for an lbw or bowled, or nip one away for a catch behind the wicket as he has done in the past. It will be an intersting Australian summer of cricket considering who we have. New Zealand always grow about 4-5 extra arms and legs whenever they play against us and then we have the dual South African series. And Roland, whilst I was mildly insulted by your insinuations that I was making excuses, I was actually explaining our domestic cricket stocksthat you may or may not have been aware of. And the only reason I would think of using rain as an excuse is if it changed our win from 3-x 4-x to another result and I had a bet on the outcome :P Sean

I think you are about an A too strong. Sean

In some ways, hands like this should be given as a one handed problem rather than 2 handed, just to see what the responses would be. Sean

Admittedly I live a long, long, way away; but we still see a lot about US politics. In 20, 50 and 100 years time... What will be the positive things? Sean

What has really been exposed is that we have noone that can turn the ball. Our first choice spinner Bryce McGain plays for Cameron White for Victoria and White doesn't bowl himeslf, he gives the ball to McGain :P So picking White makes little sense unless trying to bolster the batting. Krejza got belted in the warmup game, something like 0/199 off 32 overs or something, but he should have been picked for this game if they were genuinely trying to win this test. Then you have some other young spinners that are nowhere near ready for test cricket, Casson, Bailey, Cullen and a few others. Personally I think Katich should put some serious work into his bowling and not open the batting, problem is we have a problem with the opening batsmen too. Langer was more of a loss than many realise until now. The other person we are forgetting about is Andrew Symonds, (out for disciplinary reasons), if he was playing, there is no way White would be. Then we have the fast bowlers, not one of them have played a test in India before, they don't know how to bowl there. With the batsmen, same problem, not many have played there either. Realistically, the subcontinent is our least favourite place to play. None of our grounds are like that, even the traditional turning wicket, the SCG, doesn't break up like it used to anymore. So we will wait and see. We don't play there very often, I don't think we have played Pakistan over there for about 7-8 years, maybe longer. Sean

I have had enough of this silly discussion, Hamdi will obviously laugh and claim some sort of victory. He is proclaiming he will change the world, is an expert on all systems, and ignores all contrary opinions. Sean

Helene, you are forgetting how few US citizens ever leave the country or even their state, let alone have a passport. Sean

Actually Mike, I think you are talking ***** again. Here in Australia voting is compulsory. There are ways out of it (never registering in the first place at 18 years of age, or moving about 4-5 times so they give up on you but you may have a fine waiting for you if you do this. Yes, you do get a fine for not voting without a very good reason) This means you need less validation rules because you can't pretend to be someone else that is already registered. It also means you have less vote stacking. Don't base your world knowledge just on what is in your backyard. Sean

Especially since sometimes partner may only have 3♦ in this sequence and just trying to find a spot. Sean

Um, reread what I said, I was praising Jilly, but saying I didn't necessarily agree with her praise of this person :P Sean

This must be one of the best examples of political double-speak I have ever seen. I will refrain from using the language I wish to use even though this is the Water Cooler :) Sean