pbleighton

The Pope quotes Byzantine emperor Manuel II Paleologus, who he describes as "erudite" as saying ""Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached". " After that, he never criticizes any part of this remarkably bigoted statement. It is therefore logical to assume that he agrees with it. And he is surprised at a negative, passionate rection from Muslims? What is this guy smoking? Peter

"Online bridge is still, imo, searching for its identity." I disagree. It has found its identity. It is casual bridge. Peter

The director was clearly wrong, because of the length of the pass (I assume you brought this to his attention). Opps should be rolled back to 150. Peter

Bidding can be a complicated and difficult sometimes. There are ways to reduce complexity. For me, always bidding 4M in the third seat after pd's 1M with 5+ trumps and less than invitational values is one of them. I don't think it's necessarily better than the alternative, but I'm sure it's not significantly worse. I would have bid 4S the first time, and that is what I bid now. Peter

Not forcing. Peter

In my Encyclopedia Of Bridge, in the weak two article, they quote Bridge World (I think) survey of experts, taken about 2000. Over 60% of them would open a weak two with a 4 card major. Peter

"Anyways I thought this was an interesting survey. The results seem to indicate that people are willing to open about 2-3 points light with a 5-5 hand, which seems to me that it could get them in trouble if they play an approach where partner must immediately decide whether to game force (either via 2/1 GFing or a GF relay) without knowledge of side suit fits. Then again my opinions are decidedly non-mainstream in this regard." I share your dislike of 2/1, though I play it (when in Rome...). Your objection above is valid, but the horrible 1NT forcing convention is to me a far worse defect. That said, I open hands like C playing 2/1. The downside of passing seems worse than the occasional bad 2NT/3NT contract. Mileage may vary. Peter

"While many may open them on the basis of rule of 20 (or ZAR), I will assume we are referring to first/second seat openings in a 2/1 context." About half of 2/1 players I know would open C. Peter

I would have passed. I would mean 3NT to play, 2 spade stoppers and 8+ hcp. I expect p to have a good hand for his second double. Peter

3H. 2H is understandable but also chicken :) Peter

First, in the ACBL at least, the standard meaning of jump overcalls is weak, and they need not be alerted. Is this different in your jurisdiction? Second, it appears that they play it as usually but not always weak. East should have been more forthcoming. That said, North's bidding was atrocious. No adjustment. Peter

"If fourth suit is GF then this should be 5-5 invitational (5-5 GF goes via 2♣ then 3♣). If FS is invitational plus then this should be 5-5 GF." Agree. Peter

"Dbl, followed by 3♥. That will show my hand with 4 digits precision" A nice bbid, except if righty bids 4C and pd doesn't know about your heart support. Because of this, 3C for me. Peter

I would double rather than bid 3C, but it is very close. I agree with Mike that this is a 5C opener, although at unfavorable it feels a bit "adventurous" <_< Peter

1D-1S-2C-4D(1430 in diamonds)-4NT(2 w/o DQ)-5D(kings not including DK)-5NT(2)-7D. Sorry, no 7NT. Peter

Easy pass. North should have bid 2D instead of double the first time. Peter

"No points, no tricks, no stopper, no shape, no bid." Well said. Peter

"The Pentagon has a zillion plans....that is what it does. A plan does not equal approval. I am sure we have plans to attack England or France or Texas or Tulsa." Sure, but given the Bay of Pigs, the missile crisis, etc., this one seems like more than a passing fantasy. Peter

Pass. As was said, I have bid my hand. Peter

5C, but I wouldn't argue with a pd who opened 1C. I don't like 2C on this hand type, but others do. Peter

4H. 3NT appeals as a clever bid, but I seem to be unlucky when I bid cleverly. Peter

I pass, seeing little upside to bidding on. Peter

"- Partner has overcalled at the 3-level, but looks like he probably doesn't have much of his values in ♥ so where has partner pulled this 3♥ bid from?" Good question. I'm thinking he has something like KJ109xx in hearts, plus some stuff on the side, and stretched. Peter

Hand Evalaution Police!!!!!!!!! 4S. Peter

1. Pass. 2. I play this as a forcing pass situation, and I would pass if it were so. No blame transfer available, so the sixth heart inclines me to bid 5H, with a sinking feeling. Peter