pbleighton

But has been reborn in a more sophisticated, *disciplined* B) incarnation by Mr. Fantoni and Mr. Nunes. EHAA two bids with a four point range are a VERY different animal than those with a 7 point range (where you really can't bid your games with any accuracy). BTW good post as usual, mikeh. Peter

Mike, what is your question/appraoch for the hands in the 12-mediocre 13 range which most people except for you are opening. Are you assuming we should all pass them? Peter

U.S. citizens should be tried in a normal court, unless they are members of the military, in which case they may be tried in a military court. For foreigners who are accused of being terrorists, I am flexible as to the *how*, as long as they receive a fair trial, with full access to counsel. For foreigners who are in an army of a country we are at (decalred) war with, and who are taken as prisoners of war, they should be treated as prisoners of war (the Bush administration doesn't view any of the Gitmo prisoners this way). All prisoners should receive a *speedy trial*. This can vary (as it does in normal criminal cases), but certainly the government should be able to present a case within a year, maybe two at the outside. Mike, I really don't think that this is complicated. We live in a dangerous world, but at the same time we have to behave decently (and don't invade countries which haven't attacked us, either...). This may occasionally cause us to incur greater risks than if we use imperialist/fascist tactics, though I'm quite skeptical of these claims, but think of the consequences: By our actions over the last four years, we have greatly increased Muslim hostility towards us, and thus increased the threat of terrorism. As to the political and cultural changes which need to occur in the Muslim world, our moral credibility in the world is now zero. The next President will start off in a very weak position, thanks to the idiocy and immorality of the Bush administration Peter

We have had them in custody for years. We have intensively questioned and investigated them, and in many cases tortured them. We should bring them to trial, or release them. Keeping people imprisoned without a trial indefinitely is fascist. Ample historical precedent doesn't change this one bit. If they are guilty, try them. Peter

Mike, the majority of U.S. players open the majority of balanced 12 counts. Many open any, or almost any, 12 count. Don't you know this? It's not just a question of hands with 6 card suits. Your opening criteria are basically 2 points above normal practice. My understanding of European practice is that in most countries they open as light as we do, or even lighter (Rule of 19 - decent unbalanced 10 counts). The reason IMO people open lighter than they used to is that, in general, the side which opens first has the advantage in the part score wars. Eric Rodwell made the point (in an interview on Glen's site, I believe) that if the opps never bid, there would be no reason to open light. However... Peter

Preemptive bid, weak hands, bunches of clubs. Peter

The only thing I can think of is opening 1C in a strong club system (would I do this at the table?). Then 1C-1H-1S-2H-2S-3S-4C-4H-rkc-6S. Of course, the opps make come in with their 11 card club fit :) So no, not really. Peter

I'm not saying Mike is *wrong*, but I prefer a different approach, showing pd that I have 4 hearts, and not letting opps play in 2C. Peter

Well, it may not be *standard* in a 30 year old bidding text, but I'd guess that a majority of current duplicate players would raise to 2H in this situation (at least a majority of the people I play against). Does that make it *standard*? Peter

Might, but the distributions you mentioned are 5% of hands. We aren't vulnerable. Down 2 is better than 2C making 3 or 4. Playing 2M doubled at imps is unlikley. If we were vulnerable, I might pass, though I would probably bid. BTW, LHO passed the first time. Peter

2H. Why don't you want to play in your 8 card fit at the 2 level? BTW, instandard bidding, 2H by partner shows 9+ points or so (might include distribution. In any case, you won't have game, but it's crazy not to compete. Peter

Pass. 3NT is very close. If pd doubles, I pass. If he bids 3S, I bid 3NT. If he bids 4m, I raise to 5m. I don't think this hand is as good as it looks. Peter

Yes, Mike expected "much more". We set them 3, and gained 12 imps on our miscommunication :P I couldn't find any board where Mike's hand wasn't opened 1H, which was overcalled 2C. My hand passed with: 98x-Void-Q109xxx-1098x both white. At our table, Mike passed, opp bid 1C, and out of compassion for Mike's feelings I bid 2D instead of 3D ;) What would other posters bid in this situation? Peter

What's your understading of the *standard* approach on jump overcalls? What is your preferred approach in an established partnership? How disciplined, strong/weak, etc. How much does it vary by scoring, vulnerability, suit, and partner being passed/unpassed? White, with an unpassed partner, this is noise. Could have defense/terrible suit/yarborough. With an understanding pd can be 5 cards at the 2 level. The main restriction is not to miss a game. Generally limited to 6/7 hcp with a major, may be 9/10 with a minor. With a minor, frequently 6 at the 3 level. 6 at the 3 level with a major with the right hand or an understanding pd. No real difference between mps and imps. White, with a passed partner, very wide ranging. Red, somewhat more conservative, especially unfavorable and/or at imps/passed partner. Unfavorable at imps with a passed partner I tend to pass. Peter

4C. Peter

http://www.gnn.tv/articles/article.php?id=761

I'm OVER the opener? Well, I thought I could read! Now it's close. I double, but I'm not at all sure it's right. Peter

4S, I'm in the wrong seat for a double, and pd may have no defense. It doesn't occur to me to consider redoubling 4S. Peter

Depends on my mood :) 3H, I'm feeling good. Peter

A close call. I don't like 1S much (though it's acceptable), as we are unlikely to have game, and the opps may well have game, and vul is favorable. I bid 3S, but wouldn't argue with 2S, with 6322. Phil's right, it's a great hand for a 3rd seat favorable preempt, but I just don't thik we're missing much. Peter

I disagree with 1S, I would have bid 2H directly. If I thought this hand was invitational (and it's very close), then I would have bid 1S followed by 3H. I wouldn't criticize a partner who bid 1S followed by 3H. I would criticize 1S followed by 2H. You let the opps in, and you imply only 2 card heart support in an uncontested auction. Peter

You didn't specify what 3D was. If preemptive, 5C. If invitational, 4C. Peter

I'm a news junkie. My travel interferes with large scale circulation papers, but I read the NY Times, the Journal, and the NY tabloids 3-4 days a week. I read the Washington Post online, and the Nation, the New Republic, and the Economist in print. I read a variety of online sources, the best of which are talkingpointsmemo.com, slate.com, juancole.com, and huffingtonpost.com. Depending on the guest list, I watch the Newshour with Jim Lehrer, Hardball, and some of the Sunday morning shows. The MSM coverage after 9/11 and leading up to the war was mostly disgraceful. Yes, the Bush administration was deceptive, but the media largely didn't even bother to try, they were too busy pimping for the war. Peter

As passing offers the best chance to play in a 4-3 or (occasionally) 3-3 fit. If you're not going to bid 2NT (and I won't, a 9 count with a stiff in pd's primary suit doesn't do it for me), it's very close between 2S and pass. Playing in 2S, the 5th spade will score 62% of the time. Playing in 2D, it will almost never score. I therefore have a slight preference for 2S. If 2D promised 4 I would pass. Peter

2S. Peter