jikl

OK, let's take a reverse view here. If an Australian 20 year old was caught having a beer in the US they would be breaking a law despite the fact it would be legal in Australia. Deport them now and throw them in jail for life? Get a grip. Oops, that phrase probably has connotations that are illegal in some countries. I give up. The bridge average age is getting older, it will continue to get older while medical advances continue to prolong life. Most of the elderly players never want to see a youth player because they might be better and they don't have the tact to be a winner without gloating at the table. They do want to see youth players, just not at their table. Sean

Another simple one for when playing at a real table. When you are dummy, take the time during the hand to mentally relax. This helps alot with concentration levels towards the end of long sessions. Sean

We did just lose to Zimbabwe though in our first pool match. :( Sean

Entry-shifting Guard Squeeze? Sean

Partner has told you to lead ♦s, lead it or forever deal with it in the future. Partner has made a decision, you can't see their hand, so do it. (As an aside I wouldn't be surprised if you need to lead a ♠ to beat it) Sean

Happy Birthday JB. ;) Sean

Bah, I go away for a few days and miss some birthdays. Happy Birthday. Sean

Do this with another person. Practice with a deck of cards (this will not be as effective in online play since the tricks can click by very quickly). Deal 13 cards, look for 5 seconds, answer any questions posed by the other person about the cards you saw. Deal next 13 cards, do the same. Deal next 13 cards, do the same. With the last 13 cards, you get asked the questions without seeing the cards at all. After doing this for a while you will never think about hand shapes again and your card memory will improve. Sean

Were you tempted by 3NT Justin? :) Sean

2♦. Hoping partner can find another bid. Sean

I wonder what X of 2♦ meant before making a decision. Sean

I will double for takeout. Sean

Nick, This is a flawed argument you have raised, you haven't mentioned what you have denied when you passed. I have seen some of the Multi 2 structures you have played. You are equal vul, and I am sure you have opened some ragged weak 2s in ♠ in the past, so more information is required. Given that you have denied a possible weak 2 in ♠, (or a flawed one), bidding 3♠ would show ♣ tolerance in my opinion. However, I am not bidding yet until I know what you have denied. :P Sean

As a matter of interest, what does 4♦ mean? Transfer to ♥ or is it ♦ with possible slam interest? Sean

I am not sure this last point is entirely thought through. Let me explain... I have 7♠, NT opener has 2. So we are up to 9 already. Now most of the hands quoted so far have been headed by KQTxxxx. Now it comes down to whether this is the normal case scenario. If it is, then the NT is most likely to have the ♠A. Realistically in this scenario it comes down to whether partner is leading from (0), 1, 2 or 3 ♠. From 3 ♠ we do not want them lead, from 1 ♠ they would probably have led them anyway. The only really important example, probability wise is when the remaining ♠ are 2-2. And in this example we may be gaining a slow tempo trick whilst giving up another oppurtunity. Given that we have a 7 card suit, we also have a shortage somewhere (most likely in trumps). Perhaps the opening leader should be looking at their own suit unless they have distinct shortage to maximise the gain of the pre-empt and not put some constraint on suit quality as point "c." suggests. An example: [hv=s=sqjtxxxxhxdxcqjxx]133|100|[/hv] Is this a preempt? Yes, is it a suit you want partner to lead? No. Enough ranting. :P Sean

I would bash 4♠, the problem with 3♥ on this auction as a genuine invite is that you have now given them an extra chance to convey information. They can now double 3♥ to show whatever their agreements are, perhaps it means LHO has good hearts, who knows? So by bidding 3♥ you may give them the chance to know whether or not they should be doubling you later. May as well just go for it now. Sean

Heh, I just noticed the date B) Sean

Blame curators and cricket boards for that. Even worse is the fact that those that make pitches so blatantly deficient in variety also make their own country very poor when playing away from home. The sub-continent pitches are notorious for this, and the away record of these teams is about the same. Then you have countries transforming all of their pitches into the same thing without retaining any of the original character of the traditional pitch for that venue. Sydney and Melbourne have turned into strange pitches since they are now a drop-in pitch, the WACA has lost some of its venom, GABBA is different because of when the test is played there. The only one that has really remained the same in Australia is Adelaide. In some ways I think one-day cricket is to blame for this as they now need to have so many pitches available that it is easier to bring it in by truck instead of growing it on-site. Also, when producing a one-day wicket, all you are trying to make it do is perhaps be a two-three day pitch that has lots of runs in it. The old-style curators capable of building a 5 day pitch (or 6 when there was a rest day) aren't really around any more. The type of pitch I describe is one with some green on the first day making it difficult to bat, the 2nd and 3rd innings produce most of the runs before the treacherous 4th innings decides the match. Enough rambling. Sean

*shakes his head* England, what is there to say? Sean

Perhaps we should have a new forum: The Winston Water Cooler. Sean

The 2NT bid has probably already made it a little easier for them to make it and now you want to advertise 5-0? At least let them draw a round of trumps first to find out the bad news and maybe get a plus. If partner is almost a KNOWN 0553, the contract must be easier to make than a possible 3550 2551 1552, and this isn't even including the exotics with 65s in the reds etc. Sean

Let's go through the options apart from pass: 1. We'll skip this for now. 2. Did not even enter my mind, partner made no move, no preemptive raise from RHO etc. 3. Partner didn't find a takeout double despite your length in ♦, and we want to introduce a 4 card major? My personal guess is partner has 3♦, RHO has 1. Not looking good and I need to take more intoxicating substances to consider this bid with Qxxx. 4. Yes, I really want to play in a 4-2 ♥ fit at the 2 level, or a 5-2 ♥ fit at the 3 level :( 5. No Back to 1. It would seem everything else has been ruled out. Sean

No mentions of Goodkind and Pratchett? Sean

Happy Birthday Ben

So how long do people think Geoff Lawson will last as Pakistan coach? Sean