glen

For those still following this (and I understand why one would not, given the coverage), here are some calmly discussing the situation: CNBC - Bailout - Just The Beginning

CNN had an article on "gambling" today: The $55 trillion question

what I noticed today was that discussion on this subject in financial forums was about 95% emotion, 5% thought, the worst I've seen it in many years - "ideas" for individual investors included be mostly cash, mostly grains, mostly oil, mostly real estate, sell all stocks now, buy low stocks now, be 100% debt free etc. - blame was given out to almost anybody - articles that were years old were dug up for "eye told u sew" - estimates of the problem ranged upwards to $20 trillion of toxicity - random guesses of what is about to occur include collapse, complete disaster, resiliency, meltdown, hyperinflation, deflation, stagflation, and californation

I liked his 2♣ if the number of ♥s is exactly 5 - responder can pass with ♣s, since not 6+♥s, can ask for ♠s with 2♦, and has the sequence 2♣-2♦;-2♥-2♠ presumably asking for a 4 card minor, 2NT reply shows 0=5=4=4.

This is so dead-on right. In BBO ACBL tourneys and club games we play five card suit weak 2s - then sit back and enjoy the great results. In a NABC Pairs 4 or 6 session pairs event, if playing the same methods you might as well wear a Santa suit for all the free gifts you will hand out.

And now? -> total chaos Gotta luv some of the positioning here: "Main Street" against "Wall Street" -> spin, spin, spin...

A couple of interesting youtube things today: This video, Let's Play "Wallstreet Bailout" The Rules are ... is very popular: Let's Play "WALLSTREET BAILOUT" The Rules Are... Rep Kaptur Second, "YouTube will be undergoing scheduled maintenance, starting around 6:00 pm PDT. " - does YouTube go offline during Bush's TV appearances - and will he explain where the WMDs (weapons of money destruction) are kept?

Yes, just competitive - with invite+ double, Stayman, or transfer as below: From ACBL Defense #2: (2♦) DBL (2M) ? (where 2M is P/C) DBL = BAL, at least INV values; if FG stopper only in bid major. Does not deny a 4-card major 2♠ = natural 2NT forces 3♣; signoff or FG w/ minor 3♣ = Stayman, FG, continuations as after 2NT-3♣ 3♦ or 3♥ = Transfers, at least INV 3♠ = Both minors, FG 3NT = 11-15 HCP, stopper in both majors 4 of a minor = Strong invitation 4M = natural 4NT = Blackwood

In a craigslist relationship discussion forum: Discussion: Online Bridge and Relationships

Try this search: Google: superchart regional bridge You missed it

Did you not read the previous posts before you posted this, or did you read them and then jumped to an unreasonable conclusion? We are not talking about all the Ads, or most of the Ads - we have no problem with the vast majority of them, just like I have no problem with the vast majority of the posters here.

Another "Ad" is the flashing white/green "this is not a joke ..." with "click here to claim" button - hopefully everybody playing will use the claim buttons found elsewhere.

Arrrrg! Pirate Club has been made to walk the plank too (search with google pirate search). Pirate club: - stolen bids - ♦s means ♠, with or without ♥s too - ♠ use shows ♦ - preemptive and surprise grog-based bidding - 3NT is always a port

I certainly dislike the VWDP!!!!!!! after we make 4 awful def mistakes, allowing a hopeless contract to make overtricks, doubled

at the end of every tourney round, you can talk privately to your pd (clicking on name etc.) - of course if you run out of time, there is no way to privately say "speed it up pd"

Feds to lend up to $85B, get 80% stake in AIG in return (just for a loan) - are they doing the right thing, the best thing, or the wrong thing? Imo, this is buying the barn door.

thanks for all your revision work! now hopefully Dan has enough bandwidth

I like your idea of expanding the 1♣-1♦;-2♣ range. I would not distort 1♠ or 1NT beyond natural - perhaps something like: 1♣-1♦;-? 1♥: 19+ except not 19-21 unbalanced with 4+♠s and/or 5+♣s 1♠: 4+♠s, 16-21, may have longer second suit, not balanced 1NT: 16-18 (or whatever range is necessary) 2♣: 5+♣s, fewer than 4♠s, 16-21 2♦: 5+♦s, fewer than 4♠s, 16-18 2♥: 5+♥s, fewer than 4♠s, 16-18 2♠+: shapely hands

I think the Best Hand $ tournaments are a great idea, and could be promoted on the BBO Ad network (bridge players are unlikely to click on free smileys, but whatever makes somebody happy :) ). Imagine playing regular bridge, and having a bunch of 0-10 flat hands, and then an Ad appears: - win $ - always have the best hand at the table - low entry fees Now that's an option for paying for a little more playing fun! How about: - always have the best hand, AND - if your side plays the contract, you play it (or does this already take place?)

could it be enhanced suction?

I think for useful space reasons it would be better to put the 19-21 ♠s into 1♠ rebid to 1♦: 1♣-1♦ strong (16+); negative (0-8) 1♠ = 16-21 ♠s (this also "right-sides" more ♠ contracts) Then one has a "free" 2♠ bid after this sequence: 1♣-1♦ strong (16+); negative (0-8) 1♥-1♠ stronger (19+); 2nd negative (0-4) ? Now it depends on how much science you want to throw at this - in effect with 22+ you arrive at a situation like 2♣-2♥ (bust) in that style in standard, but unable to pass 2♥ - bids of 2♠+ can all show strong hands. One approach would be like suggested in the ACBL bulletin, after the 0-4 1♠ negative: 2♣/♦/♥: 19-22 (i.e. good but less than a GF), 5+ 2♠: ♠s or balanced, GF 2NT: 22-24 3♣/♦/♥: natural GF 3♠: 4♥s & longer ♦s, GF Another approach is re-map the 19-22s: 2♣: 22+ 2♦: 4cM and longer minor, 19-21, 2M pass or correct 2♥: 5+♥s, 19-21 2♠: 5-4/4-5+ in minors, 19-21 - 2NT asks longer minor 3♣/♦: 19-21, 6+ minor Likewise: 2♣: 4cM and longer minor, 19-21, 2♦ asks major 2♦: Any GF 2♥: 5+♥s, 19-21 2♠: 5-4/4-5+ in minors, 19-21 - 2NT asks longer minor 2NT: 22-24 3♣/♦: 19-21, 6+ minor Various options there, some good, some not-so-nice. Another approach is have 2♣ do some double duty, and employ transfers, to get extra bidding space (not to transfer, since all 4 suits already bid): 2♣: 19-21 5+♦s or any GF or 22+ balanced 2♦: 5+♥s, 19-21 2♥: 4♥s & longer ♣s, 19-21 2♠: 4♠s and longer ♣s, 19-21 2NT: 4♦s and longer ♣s, 19-21 3♣: 6+♣s, no 4cM, 19-21 or just the 2♣ transfer: 2♣: 19-21 5+♦s or any GF (22+ if unbalanced) 2♦: 5+♣s and 4 of a red suit, 19-21 2♥: 5+♥s, 19-21 2♠: 4♠s and longer ♣s, 19-21 2NT: 22-24 3♣: 6+♣s, no 4cM, 19-21 and if you want 1♠ to be less than 19: 2♣: 19-21 5+♦s or any GF 2♦: 5+♣s and 4 of another suit, 19-21 2♥: 5+♥s, 19-21 2♠: 5+♠s, 19-21 2NT: 22-24 3♣: 6+♣s, no 4cM, 19-21

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I appreciated Colin's efforts to get stuff out on the Net in the days when most stuff was on dead trees or in r.g.b., and also liked the way he named his ideas. Quick links: Golady Toddler First, Toddler covers too much ground: a.) any normal 2♦ reply b.) certain simple raises of M c.) any flat 10-12 NT d.) certain limit raises of M e.) game force raises of M with 3 trumps and 13-15 There is no way to unwind this all properly (not including all the fun that happens if the opponents bid). In one of his example hands, he has opener reply 2NT to 2♦ with KQT9x x Qxx AKxx - and now 3M is non-forcing by responder - try bidding out all of a, c, d, and e here. Golady is one style of GF relay 2♣, and transfers are a decent method for opener's rebid - one that I like. The auction 1M-2♣(gl);-2NT showing exactly 4♦s may get the NT wrong sided. Aside from a few minor points like that, a nice method, and I've been surprised not to see it played more. Thus quite playable would be: a.) Golady asis b.) Mini-toddler (aka Gobaby) with some hand types taken out, and moved elsewhere (back in a semi-forcing 1NT for example). I certainly do not like 10-12 NT mixed up with a set of raises.

This depends on the style of Drury played. For example Karen & I in our system designed for club games (f2f, BBO ACBL), play: Pass-1M;-? 2♣: "weak two" in ♣s 2♦: limit raise in M, 3 trumps or flat hand with 4 trumps 2M: single raise in M, 3 trumps or flat hand with 4 trumps 2NT, 3♣, 3♦, 3M: various 4+ trump raises, not flat First 2♦ is a very precise bid. 95%+ of all auctions go Pass-1M;-2♦-2M or Pass-1M;-2♦-4M. The third % bid in frequency would not be a try, but is Pass-1M;-2♦-3NT choice of games. And if goes Pass-1M;-2♦-try, there is a lot of space available, and responder's rebid makes the hand even more precise. Try would be new suit above 2M, and 2NT, which can be just a general try. In expert partnerships (those "trying" above the club level), I suggest after a game/slam try, that responder not jump to 4M to accept the try, but be able to bid the cheapest non-M suit to say "I accept, if you have a slam try you can start cuebidding (with all the bells and whistles including last train and the latest T-Rex cuebidding styles)". Thus I don't think "2♦ Drury necessarily makes it more difficult" IF 2♦ is a precise bid. For those who consider jumping around with 4 trumps and shape (Bergen raises etc.) is too much, I thinking hoping to park it in 2M is too optimistic on how the opponents aim their bidding to defend 2M contracts. If 4 trumps and shape is not enough to play at the 3 level, perhaps the 1M opening was wrong - note that responder is also going to face Pass-1M-(Jump Overcall);-Guess situations, where the jump overcall is wide ranging since opposite a passed hand - thus, imo, opener has risk in opening 1M in 3rd/4th with crappy hands with only 4 of the major. For the 2♣ response, showing a "weak two" in ♣s we have had good results, and it comes up a fair bit of the time, but not a lot. It avoids these sequences: a.) Pass-1M;-1NT(semi-forcing)-All pass: the 1NT semi-forcing bid is more often passed by a 3rd seat opening (than other seats), and 2♣ is usually a better spot than 1NT if responder has a weak two in ♣s opposite the minimum and sub-minimum 1M openings. b.) Pass-1M;-1NT(sf)-2♦/2♥/2♠;-3♣: here, often a level higher than a 2♣ response will find. In closing, the style of Drury you will want to play depends on your 1M styles, and these will vary between 3rd and 4th seat. Since Drury introduces new ways and chances into the auction for the opponents, I suggest one makes Drury a fairly precise bid, even if it makes Pass-1M;-2M more wide ranging than would be necessary if Drury covered constructive hands.

This type of approach was used before ETM Gold in various systems (i.e. not mine), and I just incorporated these ideas into the system. They continue to be used in various ways - here's a pair on the Danish team for the worlds, but using 1NT as the GF relay and 2♣ handling some of the 1NT forcing hands: Denmark - Askgaard-Bjarnarsson.pdf Here's their note 2: 2. Special responses to 1M 1M - 1NT = ART gameforce, any hand – expect hands suitable for splinters or a direct 4M 1M - 2♣ = ART transfer: Signoff with ♦ OR any INV without fit & without 5+OM 1M - 2♣, 2♦ - pass = Sign-off, long diamonds 1M - 2♣, 2♦ - 2M = INV, double M, not 4OM 1M - 2♣, 2♦ - 2NT = INV, 0-1M, not 4OM, ‘both minors’ (bad6-good3 ok) 1M - 2♣, 2♦ - 3mi = INV, onesuiter 1♥ - 2♣, 2♦ - 2♠ = INV 4♠ and long minor, NF, 2NT asks minor 1♠ - 2♣, 2♦ - 2♥ = INV 4♥, 0-2♠, NF, (long minor ok) 1M - 2♣, 2M = 6M, correction from diamonds 1♠ - 2♣, 2♥ = 5-5 1M - 2♣, 3mi = good 5-5 1♥ - 2♦ = Good 3card raise, (9)10-13 1♠ - 2♦ = 5+♥. Sign-off or INV (any follow up is invitational NF) 1♠ - 2♥ = Good 3card raise, (9)10-13.