keylime

I'll just predict the final three matches. Gromov's team has three pairings that I think can go the distance. No weak links in that lineup. Nickell: What else needs to be said. I am pulling for Rubin and Sabine of course (it's a canape thing). Mahaffey, the Chinese women's team, Uday's squad: dark horses Fred's team: I know of John's bridge skill; that pair is going to show up some folks. I think at least a quarterfinal appearance. I'd in for Gromov vs. Nickell. Semis of Nickell vs. Uday , and Gromov vs. Rubin. Winner: Nickell, in a very closely played affair. 104-90.

Terence Reese (someone check my spelling) was the center of that story with the nude woman Barry -

I would be ok, if the holding area was free of charge to bridge players. At least that way there would be a little grumbling, versus this approach. I'm with Josh; I have some major concerns about how the ACBL is securing their income. I haven't in earnest thought about letting my membership lapse, but I'm not happy about the potential of having my sweetheart who doesn't know anything about bridge, get hassled by the ACBL officials for inadvertently using a cell phone in the lobby near the restrooms. One instance of that, and you'll see me assume that someone is attacking them, and the response will be immediate. Mark my words.

Pard's found a double out of the blue here. 4♠; liking my chances with three baby hearts opposite a likely void, with my void.

I agree - I think WJ05 is a good starting point with this.

I gotta admit, this is one of the most least favorite things now about playing bridge competitively. This does not sit well with me at all.

For me once I stopped playing the home brewed strong club, and went to a very regimented structured natural based method, I was able to go into my current partnership as a much better player. I had to find that maximum amount of "technicality" to then get to the best amount of "playability" which is often, much less technical!

Given the fact we think we can win it - 5NT, pick a slam. This should show second round control of spades by implication.

Au natural with me too. Not enough hands for the 5-5's to warrant a five bid when I rightly deserve a 5-2 fit and a penalty double.

In direct seat, I not only come in, but I'm thinking about a possible game swing. In 4th tho, I pass. Let's see where they are going.

2♠ for me; having three dead hearts discourages me from bidding 3♠. Let them find a negative double as a passed hand.

I've of the play standard over Precision versus 2/1 GF because of the many bad results I had with a 10 opposite 12-13. :-)

I bid 1NT to avoid the 2NT trap. Pard's penalty pass of diamonds doesn't promise any values because they themselves failed to bid 1NT -> so what would you do on a hand like xx xx KJT9x xxxx or forms thereof in this auction after a balancing auction? We know the opener doesn't have a maximum, or a shape hand. I'm staying low.

To me, this is showing the diamond king and interested in grand or 6NT. This sudden switching from asking to telling and back to asking leads to enough train wrecks. I'm a keep it simple kind of guy when it comes to slam bidding.

I have two favorite zeros, one which was Canada-wide in the nation-wide sectional, but the other one was rather comical. I'm playing with the ex-wife in Nanaimo in a club game. You get dealt an interesting hand of 2-5-1-5 shape, and pard opens a strong club: 1C* (strong) - 1NT * (G/F 5-5 or better) 2C* (asking) - 2NT (pointed or round) 3S - .... At this point you're going, WTF, this isn't part of the script...what the hell is 3S? I rebid 4C, 4D of course comes back, I rebid 4H, pard finds 4NT. I'm on a decent hand, I rebid 5NT, pick a slam, pard bids 6NT, doubled, redoubled, off for -2800. The 2nd and 3rd board of the round we earned cold tops, but after this hand, I think we had hours of discussion this sequence.

I think it's easier to have a b/i forum, an advanced forum, and an expert forum.

We announce this in our pre-alert, and it's in our system notes under general guidelines.

Bid the most quiet game known to man. I will pay pard for 4-3-1-5 shape and therefore punishing any shape-based slam try I have. 4♥, and hope someone is not sandbagging.

J♠, regardless of UDCA or not. I play this to wake up partner to stop in their tracks. I'll get that club ruff then.

Pretty rare we get to open 2♣ on a good five card suit, but I think the method of transfers works well with us.

I don't respond 1♥, don't see why I need to if partner rebids 1NT, and I need to find a forcing set of bids. Yes, I know there's that NMF thing, but I rather keep things uncomplicated.

In standard-ish 1♦ - 2♦* (inverted minor) 2♠ - 3♥ 4♣ - 4♥ 5♥ - 5♠ 5NT* (GS try) - 6C* (need club help) 7D (I can see 13 tricks here, pard has at least five diamonds and cooperatively went with a slam exploration) In Ultra: 1C* (strong) - 1S* (hearts, 4+, GF) 1NT* (waiting) - 2C* (unknown canape) 2D* (where?) - 2S* (diamonds) 3D* (controls) - 3S* ( 3 controls) 4D* (start Turbo) - 5C* (spade/heart is ok, one/three keycards) 7D* (pard can count all controls, and Q♦ not needed)

Brave souls bid 5NT here. I'll bid 6♠ and be happy to table this.

3♣. Helps pard determine what's going on. I tend to agree with Frances that 4♣ should have a bit more body.