keylime

I think in a relay system, once doesn't get to 6NT unless they get every inference right. I trotted out this from our Ultra (2 flavors of 1M-2C): 1M-2C (art g/f) 2D (either balanced, both majors, or single suited) - 2H* (ask) 2NT* (both majors) - 3C* (ask) 3D* (5-4-x-x) - 3S* (beta) 4D* (4 controls) - 4H* (CAB) 4NT* (K of H) - 5C* (CAB) 5D* (no control) - 5NT* (pick a slam) 6S 1S-2C 2S (both majors) - 2NT (asking) 3C (any non-min) - 3D (asking) 3S (5-4, short diamond) - 3NT (serious) 4H - 4NT (6ARKCB) 5D (3 kcs) - 6S So, 15 rounds of bidding with one, and a very tricky auction with the other one in terms of getting to the right strain, what a regular field will get to in half the time, 6♠.

Losers are right for a LR so that's what I'll bid.

I tend to agree with you Adam. I've noticed that when I'm a touch tired, knowing that Larry and I have 1C-1H-1S-2C-2D-2H equals 1M-2C-2H, and such, gives a solid foundation to the grind it out nature that a final KO can get. I think we win more imps in the last 8-10 boards of a KO match than anywhere else, due to the repeatability and parallelism of the structure.

Washington Post site about Going Out: Washington Post's Going Out Guide To echo Echo, Dupont, Adams Morgan, and the U Street corridor are definitely happening spaces. Ask me in private if you want some good dance clubs; since my weight loss, I have had the joy of being able to go into them. The Brickskeller was recommended to by Echo, and the beer is outstanding. With regards to doing the tourist thing, if you want to do it on the cheap, the museums are world-class. I like especially the National Portrait Gallery (for personal reasons, when you come into town I'll show and explain why to you - there's literally a piece of me in that building!), the redone American History Museum, and the Phillips Collection near Dupont Circle is an interesting change of pace. For the train travellers, Union Station houses the MARC/VRE/Amtrak lines. It's on the Glenmont side of the Red Line, so you'll need to head west to get to the site.

In a standard setup I'd use relays in: 1. 1NT follow-ons. After the core bids of transfers and accepts. 2. 2C options. Responses instead of being the double negative or controls, to instead make transfers or asking bids. 3. 1M-2C. Excellent place for relays. 4. 1M-GF raise in the major. Ditto number 3. 5. Transfer Walsh follow-ons. 6. NMF and 4th SF follow-ons. 7. After reversing or making strong jumps.

I'd be curious to hear what 3C is. If it's a SJS versus a fit jump.

Winston, I have very mixed feelings about Gitmo for years. There is the part of me that feels that we should hold any combatant that whose sole purpose is to inflict harm on my country. There is the other part of me that believes in the right of due process and discovery of the truth. I can see Mr. Cheney arguing vociferously for the maintaining of the status quo. I can also see why the President moved very quickly on this topic.

I was not that impressed by the overall tone of the speech; there were sections that were quite definitive in its bluntness and veiled criticism of Bush, which I strongly feel is not the appropriate tone for a transfer of power (that's the SOTU, then get after it there). One of the pundits used the phrase "very muscular"; to me it was at times tinged with arrogant elitism. There were tho definitely parts of it that was impressive and formative in my mind (the line about the patchwork heritage not being a weakness is prevalent on my mind). Additionally, there was a certain fervor and purpose that was not only desired by me, but seen. It didn't matter whether I agreed with him; what did matter was that he is determined to etch out for himself something different. All in all, not bad. The sights of seeing the mass of humanity stretching as far as the eye can see, I will never forget. Yes, I was there, braving the cold, seeing what my President (none of this "he's not my President b.s. unlike before; he got elected, therefore he's my President") would emote on the first day of office. And admittedly, the parade, and seeing Michelle in a most fashionable outfit, was worth the cold soaking my body took.

I started bridge in earnest in 2002, to retrain my mind how to think logically as a result of my accident a few years prior.

If desired, I can gather some information about the excellent night life in D.C. - I know I'll be partaking in it. :D

Not a fan of the 5NT bid admittedly...

14-16 NT. Works very well if you're not of the split range NT crowd.

I think Puppet is so mainstream now, that it should not require one.

Appendix: Unless the WBL/NVBA got a lowered parking rate, per their website: ParkingOn-site parking, fee: 17 USD hourly, 31.36 USD daily Valet parking, fee: 36.96 USD daily Per Metro users: If you want to visit the Zoo (you're basically there practically if you stay onsite!), consider doing what many locals do. Ride a stop up the line to Cleveland Park, and head downhill to the Zoo.

LTTC should never ever be bid by a hand that has already limited themselves in the bidding. Additionally, as a former, rehab'ed LTTC player (hello, my name is Dwayne, and I have a problem...I think every 4D bid when hearts agreed as trumps as a LTTC bid), I would never play this treatment unless a 2/1 had been established.

2NT for me, clearcut. Need to show the shape immediately. Get partner involved. Would want pard to do something over 3S other than 5D, since the Qx is of good value now. At least take the push to 6D here - good two way bid situation.

Agree with JoAnne 1000%.

Washington Metro website (public transit): Washington Metro website

Adam, That was a copy from the 2C opening module, and not the 1C-1D-2C module (I inadvertantly chose the wrong subset of the notes). With regards to the 4D, 6C hand - that's 1D with us, rebid 2C for the canape.

Rob, Since Larry and I play a canape setup, the 5C, 4M hands are not a problem. We treat 2-2-4-5's as balanced, and bid as appopriate. In terms of follow-ons: Acceptance of the xfer shows tolerance (allows a 5-2 fit), and rebids from responder show maximums and GI intent. Rejection of the xfer denies fit. 2♦ Transfer > 2♥ Promises 5+♥ & 8+ hcp 2♥ 2+♥ pass To Play 2♠ 5♥ & 5♠ G.I. 2NT 5♥ G.I. 3♣ 5♥ & 3♣ G.I. 3♦ 5♥ & 5♦ G.I. 3♥ 6♥ G.I. 3♠ 6♥ & 5♠ G.F. 3NT 5♥ G.F. 4♣ 5♥ & 4♣ G.F. 4♦ 5♥ & 5♦ G.F. 4♥ 6♥ 2♠ 0-1♥ ♠ Stopper & Maximum 2NT 0-1♥ ♦ Stopper & Maximum 3♣ 0-1♥ 6+♣ & Minimum 3♥ 3+♥ Maximum 3NT ♣: AKQxxx 2♥ Transfer > 2♠ Promises 5 or more ♠: 2♠ 2+♠ 2NT 0-1♠ & Maximum 3♣: 0-1♠ & Minimum 2♠ Transfer > range ask, sometimes a diamond bust 2NT all maximums; 3♣: 0-1♦ & Minimum;

Paul, Within the D.C. metro area, normally, you'll need to head some distance away to get a lower hotel rate. I strongly recommend staying NW, W, S, and SW of the hotel site (with the exception of the Silver Spring area in spots). The cheapest I've seen so far, using Falls Church (where I live - it's Orange Line for me, with a change at Metro Center) that is Metro accessible is at the end of the Blue Line in Springfield. On average, it's starting at 80/night and up. Using Bethesda as a reference, so far it's been 133 and up along the Red Line. If you're into the hostel thing, try http://www.hiwashingtondc.org/ or http://www.hostels.com/us.dc.html Since the event is on the Red Line, if you can get accommodation in Bethesda, Dupont Circle, Farragut Square, or Rockville, you're dancing. In terms of flights, normally Baltimore-Washington Airport is the cheapest; Dulles is a bit of a hike but does A LOT of the international flights, and Reagan is the closest in. For me, I try really hard to get into Reagan due to the Metro being right there. If you choose BWI, take the 30 bus into Greenbelt Metro and then ride the rails. Dulles? Use the 5A bus into the Metro (I want to say West Falls Church or Rosslyn) and head in. Maybe I should rent out my small apartment and make some cash....food for thought.

Pass for me. Something about this, just isn't right to me at all. I don't have a 2 trick set, and I got length in both majors.

With us, we play our 2C module, in the 1C-1D-2C structure. So, 2D/H are xfers, 2S is a range ask, 2NT forces 3C as a good raise in clubs, 3C is just a blah raise.

I leave it in at any form of scoring - this is one of those potential "respect the vulnerability" situations.

We're testing it here at work - so far we found it's more sleek than Vista.