Jschatzman

Thanks for the tips. I am beginning to think that while bidding is a critical part of what makes Bridge interesting, it is also its Achilles heel. For my part, I never thought that glancing at the opponents' bidding card before a session was sufficient to capture what they are doing, especially if they have some unusual features in their bidding. Having a photographic memory would be helpful, but I don't have one. If you have to ask one apponent what his partner's bid means all the time the it damages the flow of the bidding, besides which it affords the opponents an unintended means of communication. The ACBL has outlawed some conventions (such as the strong pass/weak 1S system), presumably because they are too disruptive. BIL (and others) outlaws psychics. Having a system that is designed to disrupt the opponents' communication is allowed as long as it isn't TOO disruptive. Kind of like NASCAR allowing innovation but not TOO much innovation... Anyway, playing with the robots has rubbed my nose in this aspect of Bridge which I don't seem to like very much.

Thanks to everyone! I did sign up for BIL but I was barely able to use the website because of so many errors. Also, it appears that unless you pay the $45 you can't actually see what the website is for, other than buying educational materials. Thanks very much for all the suggestions. I may try BIL again some time in the future when I am retired and/or am in the mood to be more patient with website errors. Jim

I guess that this "GIB" system, which I had never heard about before, is so foreign to my way of thinking, that I should just give up playing with the robots. It is just too aggravating. Agreed that the BBO UI lets me query what every possible bid theoretically means. The GIB system is so not what I am used to that I probably SHOULD do that until I have the system memorized. However, I note that the robots frequently violate what is displayed as the meaning of their bid. Some specific aggravations: 1) It can be very difficult to "sign off" in game because a great number of the bids I am used to making for that purpose are interpreted by the robots as "mild slam try". 2) It is inadvisable to make a weak competing bid because the robots interpret it as some super powerful bid even though from the preceding bidding, that is clearly impossible. 3) Nearly every bid seems to be a convention. I am used to occasionally being able to make a natural bid. Another thing - the robots seem very happy to be set a high percentage of the time. Is that a modern strategy or is it just what the robots do?

If there is no interference, I suppose I can bid 2C and then take it back to 2NT.

I tried to raise partner's 1NT opener with 2NT. Robot partner interpreted this as a transfer to clubs. What system is that? I have yet to figure out what the robots in BBO Prime are doing - I can't understand their bidding (to say nothing of their play!). Also, in SAYC, what do I do if I don't want to transfer, don't have a 6 card suit, but have a balanced hand and want to invite, but not force, game in NT? The SAYC doesn't even list 2NT reponse to 1NT... Thanks!

My mistake- I didn't notice that there was a second page of responses. Thank you to everyone! I did obtain a couple of the recommended books, and I am joinging BIL now. Thanks again!

O.k. I have tried playing with the robots in BBO Prime. They seem to be better than the free robots, but they are still frustrating: 1) They bid too aggressively for my tastes. 2) Partner does not lead well - seems like leads have very little to do with the bidding, nor with common sense. So playing with the robots is not a waste of time, because after having left the game for quite a few years, it helps me remember. I think it may be most useful for catching my own mistakes. But... I am back to my original question. What is a recommended learning/fun environment to get my skills up? I would go to a club except....

Thanks to everyone for the great advice! Two things I don't quite get 1) What is Prime? 2) How can I find an Educator? Thanks in advance- Jim

While I used to play often, including clubs and events, I haven't for 20 years. I would like to refresh my skills and get back into regular play. I have been using BBO Solitaire/Just Play, and it seems useful for refreshing basic skills, but I am frustrated with it because: a) Computer uses loads of conventions I don't know and don't really care to learn. b) Worse - computer players do not consistently seem to follow the conventions the computer says it is using. c) Computer leads are highly erratic and often very poor. For example, why does partner NEVER lead my bid suit when defending against NT contracts? Questions: 1) Is it possible to tune computer player (e.g., select/deselect bid conventions, tune lead conventions)? 2) Is there another mode of play that you would recommend over Solitaire/Just Play? Thanks in advance- Jim