jdeegan

:P I don't think the age you start is that big a deal. What is a big deal is whether you have any talent for the game and the time and willingness to develop whatever talent you have. I started at 17 and became good enough to at least get a tryout for the Dallas Aces (which I flunked). I quit playing for 20 years. At 50 something I started back sporadically and have enjoyed the game ever since. To support my case, I have a story. I picked up a guy named Scott at the partnership desk at the 2006 Atlanta nationals for a regionally rated seniors (55+) pairs event (I happened to be in town unexpectedly on business). He had 400 masterpoints. Turned out he could play. We won the first event and placed in another event the next day. So, we made plans for the upcoming nationals in Dallas. After a few frustrating days playing teams with my friend's peers, we jumped into the Silver Ribbon Pairs and ended up 17th. I think my friend has talent and could develop into at least an above average expert player if he wanted to.

:P Throughout history it has been pretty much the norm for people to eat in communal kitchens. After all, people who specialize in cooking are usually better at it. In urban areas the public can have its choice of numerous communal kitchens within a short commuting distance. This has been going on for a long time. Have you ever been to Pompeii?

:P Imo you don't need any simulations since one of the best players in the world has taken the time to weigh in on this matter, and he says to pass. I can add some additional reasoning, however. Your hand is sooooo.. soft that it will nearly always be worth at least one more trick in clubs than in hearts and game looks remote. Pass loses when you have a game or when you make nine tricks in a major and ten in clubs. Otherwise, Pass wins. If they actually come in with 2♦, you are in good shape as well. If pard doubles, you can sit. If it comes back to you, you can bid 2♠. My guess is that Pass is about an 80-20 winner.

:P 3♦ - perfect hand for Gerard, a convention of my own devising, which shows exactly 8 spades and 4 hearts with 5 to 11 HCP.

:P Not the Monte Hall problem. You are just reassigning probabilities based on a little more reflection. For 'Monte Hall' you need another independent actor, say ...... Monte Hall or the bridge opponent on your right (or left).

:P If your router has a built-in wireless capability, it will have a sticker on the outside with two lines: SSID: (some name) Wireless Network Key: (a string of numbers) If it has that, then you can connect using wireless. Ask your computer to detect all wireless signals within range. If one of them is (some name), then click connect and when prompted for a password type in (a string of numbers). That should do it.

:P Saw an enlightening panel show on PBS last night. It featured three folks from Massachusetts who were familiar with Romney the politician, supposedly one Democrat, one Republican and one independent. It became evident in the discussion that Romney the presidential candidate will have a serious LDS problem, esp. in the South, in California and parts of the Midwest. Bottom line is that many fundamentalist Christians hate Mormons. This is why Santorum has been winning primaries in the South despite the obvious fact that he has almost zero electability in November. Unless events turn seriously against him, Obama should have an easy time in the general election.

:P You pose an excellent question. If it goes three passes to you, and you have an average minimum opening hand in terms of high cards, then the main reason to open for two is that you have a good six card suit and have as good as or better hand than anyone else at the table. Your hope is to buy the contract right there and make it. (think 8-10 HCP spread evenly around the table with pard holding a doubleton in your suit). Game should be unlikely opposite a passed partner. If you have a king better than a minimum opening bid, then open for a one bid and think about trying for game if partner shows some signs of life.

:P :P It is Trendafilov and a Bulgarian partner. Time is closing in on their possibilities. Can you help them? Or at least help me help them? I know most of the US pros (plus jlall's dad), but they are basically competition which makes them a hard sell.

:P An eastern European pair, one member is said to be rated 90th in the world, is looking for sponsors to cover food, hotel and entries at the Memphis Nationals. They sound like a good deal for someone who wants a really good pair for the team events. They can probably play in class B or even C events - I don't know this for sure. Still roughly $200+ USD per day for what claims to be a World Class pair is worth checking out. To do this e-mail alex_1975@dwb.bg or contact me.

:P Well said! If your ego depends on your bridge score, heaven help you.

:P When I learned to play bridge at Bobby Nail's bridge club in Houston we used the Goren point count system. Responder has 12 HCP plus two tens. His/her hand also has three quick tricks. This, according to the Goren system, would add 1+ 'points' for a total of 13+. Now, Mr. Goren advised that 3NT show 16 to 18 'points'. Newfangled notions have degraded the 3NT bid to 12+ to 14+. If you insist on being modern, then 3NT is acceptable, although with this particular hand I like 2♣, the so-called 'approach forcing' method - said to be the very latest thing. Assuming a 3NT response, then opener's hand is worth 16 'points' in high cards and three 'points' for the void. Well, any fool who can add can see that we are more than just a little in the slam range: 19 + (12+ to 14+) = plenty 'o stuff. I don't see two quick losers in my hand, so that is not an issue, plus I am playing the hand. If my luck had been running bad, I would have bid 5♥ (only with a very good partner). Otherwise, 6♥ normally, or 6♠ playing opposite Mrs. Crumley.

:P I can best offer you an historical perspective. The original strong two bid offers two things: four quick tricks and nine plus playing tricks. There were some exceptions at the margin at both ends. At the one end: AKxxxxxx and another ace was OK. At the other, a close decision with two suits might warrant a one bid. Better to find the proper suit fit even if we risked getting passed out in a one bid. Your example hand is imho a one bid. It isn't really a two suiter, but 4♥ or more might be the right spot. Over 4♠ (imo clearly the right bid), I would try 4NT to see if pard has an ace. If he does, 6♠ should be a laydown (or at the very worst have a 50% play). Otherwise, we can play 5♠.

:P In Dallas and esp. the northern suburb of Richardson (the east side) it is wonderful at most places that feature it. The Asian community in this area is generally very well-off (think MD's and engineers), and they love to eat out. In Richardson/Plano, esp., they follow their favorite chefs from one little suburban restaurant to another. Unless you read Chinese or go to one of the numerous Asian Christian churches, it is not easy to keep up-to-date. I suggest most of the eateries at a Chinese shopping center in Richardson on Greenville Avenue about three blocks north of Beltline Road (aka. Main Street in Richardson) and about three blocks east of Central Expressway.

:P You presented an excellent hand for discussion, imo. I have a few thoughts: 1. The choice of whether to open 1NT or 1♥ is conditioned, in part, as to whether in your agreements a 2♥ rebid over a two of a minor response shows six or more. If not, my personal choice, then a 2♥ rebid shows 11-14, and a 2NT rebid 15+ (more or less). If 2♥ shows 6+, then you better always open 1NT, else you have an impossible rebid problem. 2. Assuming the former, then 2NT shows the extra king or more, and 3♦ is slammish since in 2/1 a semi-balanced invitational diamond hand (10-11 points more or less) can just bid 3NT. 3. Even with ♦ Jx, a cue bid of 3♥ seems right. It uses up no room. My hand is toward the top of the 15 to 19 in terms of statistical frequency. I have FOUR quick tricks. My odd jack is working. Finally, PARTNER IS STILL UNLIMITED. 4. As responder I am still interested in slam, but willing to subside in 5♦ if necessary. 3NT might get passed. 3♠ & 4♣ seem wrong to me, since in my world a hand as powerful as mine should begin by cue bidding first round controls. This leaves 4♦ - forcing since we have been flirting with slam. 5. Why not try a 4♠ cue bid on the way to more diamonds? 6. Now I can trot out 5♣. 7. 6♦. No reason to try for seven since pard has shown no sign of having a solid diamond suit. If seven is available on brute power, pard will know and bid it.

:P You think you have problems? At my advanced age almost everything good is bad for you, and almost everything that is not bad for you tastes like dog food. This leaves only sushi, well-seasoned broiled fish, properly done roast chicken, stir-fried veggies with various oriental seasonings, vietnamese pho, most thai curry, cerviche, posole, southern-style greens with cornbread and hot sauce. Damn! I could go on and on, but its nearly lunch time.

:P I guess it shows lottsa clubs and not enough to force or strongly invite game. 3♣ has to be a decent spot even if pard has a doubleton and a minimum. ♠ AQxx ♥ Q10xxx ♦ Ax ♣ xx

:P Me too. I did vote (on impulse for a ♦).

:P Hope your girlfriend will be OK. I did read one of your flame wars that was started when you said that a second seat vul overcall of one heart with one spade holding: ♠ J1097x ♥ 109x ♦ AKxx ♣ x was "ludicrous". Personally, it's a little light for me, too. On the internet, you can usually avoid riling up all but the real a**holes by preceding your opinions with imo or imho. Our mamas didn't teach us internet manners, so we all have to learn them later in life.

:P 2♠. Pard is a passed hand. My hand has lots of high cards but is junky and the ♦ Q is likely useless on offense and easy to find on defense. It is a clear danger signal. Our spades should be 4-4. 2♠ is likely to end the auction.

:P 5♦ looking cheerful.

:P I just saw him beat the Mavs. He is a helluva player.

:P Pass and lead a small spade. It can't cost a trick since it is a long trump, and it might initiate a good 'ol Texas barbeque if pard has a stiff honor.

:P 3♦. wtp?

:P Good problem hand. I had to think long and hard for the best answer. One ♥ = 100 opposite a good partner because (think about it) the other calls more or less give up on 6♣ as a potential contract. I got no beef with 2NT. It simplifies the bidding and shows the hand. 2♣ is a little rich for my blood with this holding.