pbleighton

Todd writes: "When I play weird systems/conventions, I let opps discuss freely at the table when the convention first arises." I'm a fan of the unusual in bidding. However, I do understand some adverse reactions to it. If your (admirable) approach to "weird systems/conventions" were widespread, I think a lot (but not all) of the antagonism towards the unusual would go away. I think there is a burden on the users of the unusual which is often not met. Peter

FWIW, on Ben's hand I would have led the S9, for the reasons Luis gave. How about this bidding sequence: Auction goes 1D-P(you)-1H-1S-2H-P-3H-All Pass You hold: 1) Kxx-xx-AKxx-xxxx 2) Qxx-xx-AKxx-xxxx 3) xxx-xx-AKxx-xxxx 4) Qx-xx-AKxx-xxxxx What would you bid with the above, and would you consider rasing to 2S with 1 or 2? Peter

I tend to be a chicken on opening leads against a suit contract. I also know that my defense isn't very good, and I'm looking for some tips. I know: 1) If partner bids, almost always lead his suit. 2) Rarely a non-trump suit bid by declarer. Lead a trump if the bidding suggests the dummy is short in trumps, or that declarer will use dummy's trumps to ruff. 3) If you have an AK, lead it (the K). Also lead the top of KQJ and QJ10. 4) If 1) through 3) don't apply, lead through dummy's suit, but don't (usually) underlead an honor. 5) Passive leads are indicated when the bidding suggests your partner is weak, more aggressive leads when he probably has something. 6) A low singleton is a good lead. Questions: 1) Any changes or additions to the above? 2) When leading partner's suit, lead high/low from a doubleton. From KQx or KQxx, lead the K. What about Kxx, Jxx, Qxxx, etc? Lead low (I do) or lead an honor? How about QJx? 3) I think I choose a passive lead too often, even when I think partner may have some high cards. I don't like to underlead an honor, or to lead an unsupported honor, and I think this hurts me sometimes. I will lead the K from the KQx or KQxx sometimes, but that's about it. Any suggestions? Peter

I just joined rec.games.bridge tonight, and I have some questions. I used the newsgroup my cable company gave me, and am using Outlook Express to send and receive messages. I had to start an email account using hotmail in order to send replies. Questions: 1) I got a "wash my hands" email in hotmail, saying that the communication between hotmail and outlook express was Beta (techspeak for it doesn't actually work yet). I had answered a wizard question "yes" when it asked me if I wanted to download my hotmail folders, not wanting to mess up my capacity to post. Now every time I open outllok express it gives me an error meaasge that it couln't connect with hotmail. I don't actually want to view hotmail stuff in outlook, I just want to use the hotmail account to post. Can I delete the hotmail entry on the left side of outlook, or at least the folders underneath it, to stop the error messages, or will that kill my ability to post? 2) I have sent two replies using "new post" - one on "double" and one on "Response To Double Of 3H". I tried using the Reply Group button, but it gave me a message which mentioned sending a message to all participants, though the newsgroups field was still rec.games.bridge. I am not clear how the group functions. Did my two posts get through to the rec.games.bridge server, accessible to all members (check if you can), or do I need to use Reply Group to actually send the email to all members (I suspect the former). Does Reply All send one email to the server, or one to each member? Peter Leighton

"The problem lies not in rating itself but in how some players behave when they are being rated." True, but isn't the effect of ratings on players the most important thing about them in an environment such as BBO? Worldwide or national ratings are one thing, but the ratings of a private organization such as BBO should be implemented ONLY if the net effect on the participants is positive. There is enough rude and egotistical behavior on BBO (and bridge in general) as it is. Let's not make things worse. Peter

What is the difference between these. The Encyclopedia Of Bridge defines them separately, but they seem quite similar. Peter

A poster in another bridge forum (Bridgetalk), who from his posts is a very experienced player, had this to say on the topic "Are Master Points Ruining The Game?": "I have been a member of "OK Bridge" for 3 years. In that time, the service has gone to Hell, IMO. Since OKB introduced "tournaments" with masterpoint awards, it is very hard to get into a reasonable pickup game. Most of the players are out grovelling for masterpoints in some kind of mini tournament. When my membership expires later this year, I will probably NOT renew. I will probably move over to "Bridge Base"." Interesting. Peter

The bidding has gone 1S-P-1NT-P-2C-P-2S-P-?, and you hold: 1) AK10xx-Ax-xx-KQJx 2) AK10xx-Axx-x-KQJx 3) AKQ10x-Axx-x-K10xx 4) AK10xx-Kx-xx-AQJx 5) AK10xx-Kxx-x-AQJx What are your bids? Do scoring, vulnerability, and 2/1-SAYC make a difference? Peter

5H - seems obvious and is my bid. The hand isn't strong enough for a direct 6H. Ben's false 5NT is ingenious, and may be the best, but since I NEVER would have thought of it, 5H is my bid. Peter

1) I agree with The_Hog about cheating - even with my limited bridge skills, I could cheat in such a way as to ensute that no one would detect it. It would be easy - just don't get too greedy, and limit yourself to situations where there is no clear line of play (which finesse do I take, etc. 2) All you need is a telephone to circumvent system-based surveillance. 3) Cheating in online bridge doesn't bother me (well, not too much). I play bridge for fun. This is especially true of online bridge. When there are masterpoints involved, it is always ftf. 2over1 made the observation that the hypothetical rise in cheating corresponds to the introduction of tournaments on BBO - if this is true it is no surprise! I certainly have no objection to BBO tournaments (though I haven't chosen to participate in any), but I think this is an excellent argument against either a) ratings; or :) any sort of sanctioned tournaments which give masterpoints. Anything which "ups the ante" and makes people think bridge is more than a game will lead to a (largely unstoppable) rise in cheating. Peter

"My pair will be playing a modified version of Tresboof with symmetric rather than MOSCITO relays." I thought Moscito used Symmetric relays - at least the Aussie version Richard and Ron play. Peter

6C, but I'm not as confident as Luis - this could go down on all sorts of 1S openers. Peter BTW Luis - I count 6 losers. Do you expect the 4th heart to score?

"Bidding is 1C-1H-2C-?, not 1H-2C-? " Yes. Peter

Playing sayc with pickup pd, you hold: AKx-KQxxx-987-xx With opps silent, partner opens 1C, you respond 1H, he rebids 2C. What is your bid?

Free writes: "There's just no difference between V-V and NV-NV, if you play -3 you have a bad defense when equal vulnerability... This is just mathematics, maybe the world class players have a reason to play with the 4321-rule, but I'm not convinced of any advantages you have at this moment." This math is correct if you ar sure that: 1) The opps will make game, and 2) You will be doubled for penalty I believe Ben was addressing more general situations. If you think you are or may be preempting a part score and/or think you may not be doubled, then you should be more aggressive, especially NV. Peter

Misho - Your comments are interesting as always. Two questions: 1) What do you use jump shifts (weak?) and double jump shifts (what if not splinters?) for? 2) You write: "If your partner bidded game over your "unclear" raise you will be happy, because dont show your singleton (for trump lead) or good suit (for side suit lead). If he cant bid directly game, THEN is time for tries. " Would you give us an example auction please? Peter

Maureen - My interpretation of "full disclosure" is that the partner of the player who makes a call must disclose ALL pertinent information which he/she is aware of. Ron writes: "His partner does not know what type of hand this is. The correct explanation if asked is "To play". " Exactly. This is a very unusual bid, and the partnership is unlikely to have an agreement for it. If they did, they would be required to disclose it. Maybe this distinction will help. An individual PLAYER may make any bid he or she likes, including psyches - opening one spade with a void, for example. This is ethical, though sometimes confusing and annoying. However, a PAIR may not withhold information about the meaning of a bid, known to them, but not generally used or applied. Does this help? Peter

Maureen- You didn't show the 5D bidder's hand. You also didn't specify vulnerability, though I will assume favorable (for your opps), since down 3 doubled is a top score for them. I am surprised that your opponent didn't enter the bidding in the first round. Would you post the hand, as well as you can remember? It appears that your opponent either got very lucky, or should have bid sooner. There's nothing unethical IMO about "lying in wait", but with a preemptive hand it's usually not a good idea. Peter

Someone (I think The_Hog) referred to a system called The Science, where 4 card majors are combined with 2/1 GF and 1NT forcing. The notes I found at the Cambridge Bridge Club site were very sketchy. Can someone give me an outline or link of how this might work? 1NT forcing seems like it would be problematic where responder has 2 card support. Peter

"Or...could just get rid of bergen 3M and bid 3M invite w/o shortness and 3C invite w/ shortness. " Or use 1S/3C and 1H/2S as an invitation with shortness and 1S/3D and 1H/3C for without and 1S/3H and 1H/3D for the constructive raise.

Todd- Bergen I know. What is reverse Bergen? Peter

Has anyone played jump shifts over a major as mini-splinters? If so, what was your experience?. If not, any thought on them? Peter

Misho - What are the problems? Who bids first? What vulnerability?

Richard - You have referred in the past to the Scanian major suit raise structure. Do you have a link, or can you summarize it? Peter

Dwayne - How did you open your 12-15 long club hands in Southern EHAA? Did you use canape? Peter