Rado

Hi Ben and all, Seems the case to be clear one:-) My ruling will be 60%-20% for the non offenders (some fellow TD"S will rule even 60-0) Regards Rado

Hi all 1. In my view 1♦ is normal opening even in most conservative systems 2. When sitting to play bridge I always expect to be in 7NT:-) Rado

Hi Ron What about some vodka with fresh vegetables + cheese salad? Rado

Hi all, Just an idea: 2♣ - Stayman 2♦ - weak with ♥ or strong with ♦ 2♥ - weak with♠ or strong with ♥ ..... etc. Regards Rado

Hi Denis and All, 1. When std system - PASS or 2♥ 5-5 under opening if available, when light openings agreed then 1♥ 2. DBL - we have enough points outside ♥ 3. 1♠ 4. DBL ( the smallest of the lies) Best regards Rado

Hi all In my view after 1♥ overcall and 2♥ fit, the North hand imroves a little since it has 3 small ♥ vs partners possible doubleton or singleton. So all N's cards are expected to work in full value and 3♠ bid is the good one Regards Rado

Hi Ron, Maybe a normal action will be: 1♥-1NT ( we play it semi forcing, denies fit for ♥) 2♠- 3♥ 4♥ Regards Rado

Hi all, Since 2♠ bid might not be natural ( ♠AJx♥AQJxxx♦xx♣AK for example) I think for 3♠ bid we need to be near the max of 1NT (9-10 p) so with the present hand 2NT seems more flexible ( stopper + length in minors and min but useful values) and when partner continue with 3 level bid to show our ♠ support or others Rado

Hi all again! The promised rebids of the DOUBLER (better late than never:-))))))))))) 1. Assume partner made negative response (suit or NT at min level): 1♠-DBL-pass-2♣-pass Now: 1a) PASS = normal take-out (12-15 p, 3+ suport for unbid) 1b) new suit non jump = stronger (16-20p 5+ cards) but still NF ♠xxx♥AKx♦KQJxxx♣A - bid 2♦ 1c) new suit with jump = 6+ suit abt 8-8,1/2 tricks needs little help from partner for making game ♠xx♥A♦AKJ10xxx♣KQx - bid 3♦ 1d) NT at min level = (18)19-20 balanced + stopper in opps suit ♠Kxx♥KQx♦AKxx♣Axx - bid 2NT 1e) NT with jump: if possible jump to 2NT (1x-DBL-pass-1x-...) then 21-23 ballanced if the jump is to 3NT then is to play based on long suit + stoppers ♠AJx♥Kx♦AKQxxxx♣Q 1f) fit for partner non jump = 4+ fit (15)16-18 p ♠xx♥AKxx♦QJx♣AKxx - bid 3♣ 1g) fit for partner with Jump if 4 minor then Slam interest if 4 Major then to play ♠-♥AKQx♦KQJx♣AKxxx - bid 4♣ when P answered 2♣, but bid 2♠ if P answered 2♥ ♠x♥AKxx♦KQJxxx♣KQ bid 4♥ if P responded 2♥ 1h) cue in opps suit = FG, might be based on fit for partner or owns suit or ballanced ♠A♥KQxx♦AQJx♣AQxx - bid 2♠ ♠Axx♥KQxxxx♦A♣AQJ - bid 2♠ ♠AQx♥AKx♦KQJxx♣Jxx - bid 2♠ 1j) jump cue in opps suit = Splinter (singl/void 4+ fit and FG values ♠x♥AQx♦AKJxx♣AKxx IN GENERAL: pass showing the min t/o, new suit + non jump fit showing better t/o, jump new suit + jump fit showing max t/o but still NF, NT showing bal hand and cue for all FG (based on fit, own suit or balanced) Have to point that on 1e and 1g there are different methods also useful in case opps compete: 1♠-DBL-2♠-pass-pass or 1♠-DBL-pass-2♣-2♠ 2nd DBL from showing 16+ with support for 3 unbid, others remain similar to above 2. Assume partner made positive response (jump suit or jump NT): 1♠-DBL-pass-3♣-pass Here only PASS (= min t/o around 12-14(15)p and supp for 3 unbid) is NF:-)))))))) 3. Partner made forcing response - cue 1♠-DBL-pass-2♠ here 3♣♦♥ showing normal t/o 12-15 p 2NT = stopper + 12-15 and no 4 cards in ♥ 3NT = stopper and 18-20 3♠ and 4♣♦♥ showing stronger DBL Still many continuations to come, cheers:-) Rado

Hi Lukasz, At present if the commentator has written in his profile +++ everybody may chat with him in private. Regards Rado

Hola Luis:-)))))) I've never mentioned I was happy. My post was a product of "bitter" real life experience Regards Rado

Hi all, friends To Jilly: after 1♥ -1♠-3♣ bid 3NT, the hands seems to be misfit 2-suiters, but after jump by the opener you have enough values for 3NT ( and hope 1♠ bid to stop Opponents leading the suit:-)))))))))))))) To Luis: In my view when non FG responder is better to show 4 cards Major than to hide "missing to bid 1♠ is criminal offence......" In general: using fairly natural methods there are many situations with 4 cards Major+6 cards minor and less than FG values where every bid seems wrong. Unfortunatelly most of the bridge teaching books present only hands convenient for their methods and miss the problem ones. My practical advise is to show your Major and accept the bad part scores when partner is weak, but not to miss your games in Major or NT when partner has better hand. On the contrary - let's add an Ace to the example hand: ♠ 10xxx ♥x ♦AKJxxx ♣Ax now start with 2/1 and show ♠ later if needed Best Regards Rado

Dear Rain, Thanks for your sincere comments, anyway, I have the feeling that you were afraid to point the problems (if any) but you prefered to use common words just to be in the discussion. For your guidance the forum is not the only possible place of evaluation ( I have +++ on my profile and receive many true comments , whether + or - but made just on time). Yes at BBO you may mark "black" but in forums still noway :-) Rado

Hi Rain, Nice post of You. Still cannot see the "names" you are not agreed with:-))))))))))) Adding "Junior" next to "Fred" in Top commentators' list is a real breakthrough for the Vu-criticasters Rado

Hi all friends, Thanks for your complaints, which I will strongly disagree:-) Having a chance to watch some of the first BBO Vugraphs, moreover, having a chance to comment some of them ( the first ones) I may say that you all have only 1 right suggestion above. YES Mr. Fred Gitelman is terrific commentator (aside his all other bridge and social qualities), but we have a real pleasure to see Mr. Michael Rosenberg. Mr. Chris Willenken as a Vu commentators, who hardly have made a "non-useful" comment. Besides the above many long term top players like Mrs and Mr. Carol and Tommy Sanders, Mrs Sabine Auken , Mrs Debbie Rosenberg and Mr Chris Larsen, have spent many of their own time with us to comment what the bridge is in real. Sorry to miss some more very nice and strong players (including one of my 1st BBO friends and partners Ghinze (Mr. Greg Hinze) and commentators), but I will never accept somebody to throw unprooven statements to the audience that commentators just joke. If you feel somebody was joking please name him/her. If you feel somebody is DEAF to the audience please ask the audience about my comments (which are hardly the best but I always mention the help from the audience). And in last but not least if somebody feels he/she is able to present better comments, our "Colonel" Roland "Walddk2" on BBO will surely appoint her/him as commentator. Furthermore, writing +++ in the profile enables the commetnators to receive questions/private chat form all :-)))))))))))))) Usually with Kind regards Rado

Hi all friends, First of all thank you Sceptic for your nice words:-) I may assure you that neither Stanned, nether me think that we are "world class". Maybe we are good players and we love bridge, but "world class" are those who win or near win at the world stage:-)))))))))))))) and we are happy to have in BBO some of the real winners of the top world live bridge events. Back to the ratings issue: I was lucky to discover BBO in its early months after creation. I was twice lucky to discover Mr. Fred Gitelman - a great man and top player, devoting his time and efforts to create and maintain a place for playing bridge with a smile. At those early days of BBO with let's say 100 people logged in we have some conversations with Fred and he pointed that BBO is a place for pleasure, not for competition. I've tried, I'm trying and I will try always to help the idea for rating-free, pay-free but SMILE piece of the bridge universe Kind regards Rado

Hi all friends, Have asked several times in different trends, why some are quoting MOSCITO in every post of them but still nobody announced some good major international MOSCITO success? Many systems look quite well on paper, but life is another story. Regards, Rado

Hi Bowbells and all, Further the above comments a nice side-effect of super-acceptanse is to shut-out opps from finding their best part score or even game since is harder to bid after 3♥, than after 2♥ Regards Rado

Hi Marc, Many thanks for your nice and devoted help for growing up tournament life at BBO. Hope after some rest you will found another nice set of tournes. Regards,Rado

Hi all, Further several requests from friends, here will try shortly to describe continuations after t/o dbls Will assume Opps opened 1 of a suit - partner DBL - opp Pass 1♠-DBL-pass-? will be our base example unless shown another one 1.PASS - a)I have a trump stuck and believe they will go down for bigger number than eventual our contract - e.g. pass with ♠QJ10xx♥xx♦Axx♣KQx - most probably we will make 3NT but 1♠ dbl will score more :) - I have a trump length and hope this to be the least of the evils - e.g. ♠QJxxx♥xx♦xxx♣xxx - 2. New suit at minimum level - 0-7(8) points and 4+ cards NF (sometimes even 3 cards) e.g. - ♠xxxx♥Qxx♦Kxxx♣xx - bid 2♦, but after 1♥-DBL-pass with ♠Kxx♥xxxx♦xxxx♣xx bid 1♠ and not 2♦ 3. 1NT/2NT/3NT - all NF a)1NT tends to show abt 7-10 points at least half/stopper in opps suit (sometimes even 5-6 points when no other convenient bid available) e.g. ♠Q10x♥Kxx♦QJxx♣Jxx - perfect 1NT after 1♠ or ♠QJxx♥xxx♦Qxx♣xxx - again 1NT the least of the evils b)2NT - about 11-12 points with stopper in opps suit c:3NT - about 13-15 ponits with stopper in opps suit 4. new suit with single jump showing arnd (8)9-11p with (4)5+ cards - NF e.g. ♠xx♥AKxx♦Kxxx♣xxx - bid 3♥ after 1♠ ♠x♥xxx♦Axx♣KQxxx - bid 3♣ 5. New suit with double jump a) if at game level then 5+ cards and 12-15p ( 1♠-DBL-pass-4♥) B) if not a game then 6+ cards abt 2-6 points preemptive (1♦-dbl -pass-3♥ 6. que in Opps suit - 11+ points F1 showing a hand which does not have another description (very strong or balanced without stopper.....) Items 5b) and 6) have many different interpretations and styles Hope above will help you, continuing with rebids of the DOUBLER:-) Regards Rado

Hi all I'm with Luis:-) regards Rado P.S. nice looooooong post to increase my ratio LOL

Hi all friends, Further to Ben's post: "did they try to protect themselves by asking" - yes "they did not receive answer" Now is the right moment to call TD. - not done at the table Continuing play after that means the non-offenders accept the situation as normal and no damage. CLaiming damage at the end sounds like what we call "2 way shot" = let's see whether 4♦ dbl is good result and if not we will call TD to help. In my honest view there was no damage after EW continue the play without receiving answer so result should stay. Only warning or a small procedural penalty for NS in order they to understand that full disclosure is better and more pleasant way to play bridge:-))))) Just for example when I play with Ppilot in tourney I always pre-alert our 1♥/♠ openings as light, and when I bid 1M I write without waiting somebody to ask: "8-15p 5+cards" Regards Rado

Hi all, Nice situation:-) 1. The rule as TD is totally funny and wrong. Suppose next time someone opened weak 2 with 7 cards, seems he must be punished again? and what about opening 3♦ preemtive with 6 or 8 cards? 2. The statement not to open Dutch 2 with 6 cards Major but to open Multi is very useful partnership agreement. For more than 8 years many friend pairs use it and the results are quite good. Statistically is more important to know the 6th Major card than possible 6-4 (together with 5-4, 5-5). Of course when 6Major+5minor then opening 2 suited bid So I supposed TD rule as if he was writing a bidding book:-))))) Regards Rado

Hi dear Maureen, With 26 cards seen it's nice to be at 7♠. The play should go asf: 1. Suppose ♦ lead ( if ♥ lead a little changed) ruff♦, ruff ♣ with 9, ♠ to the King , ruff ♣ now if both opponents followed ♣ 2 times ( means suit is 3-3 or 4-2) we are home ruff ♦ with 8, ruff ♣, drawing last trumps and A♥ entry for the established ♣. At this variant we are making the contract when ♣ 3-3 or 4-2 nevermind how the trumps break If singleton ♣ available , then trumps must be 2-1, and K♣ to be placed for ruffing finesse then: lead♦ ruff, ruff♣, ♠ to the K (all follow) ♣ ruff (bad news 5-1 but K is on). Draw last trump, ruff ♦ with the last dummy trump and Q♣ for ruffing finesse. Again A♥ stays as vital last entry to the established ♣ suit This line is approx 90 % 2. Suppose ♥ lead. Now things go worse ruff♣, ruff ♦, ruff ♣ if both follow A♠, ♠ to the King ruff 3rd♣ and use last dummy's trump for entry This line works when ♣ 3-3 or 4-2 and trumps 2-1 - abt 70 % When trumps 3-0 still a chance ♣ to be 3-3 or K doubleton to appear which will add abt 9 % So we have at least 79 % chance which is quite enough for a Grand. When in 6♠ only the play is easy for making just 12, draw trumps and make ruffing finesse in ♣ pitching ♥. Hope above understandable Regards Rado

Hi, After Opps bid 2 suits the probabilities of our game are reduced dramatically. 3NT is out of question. Still there is a slight chance for 4♥, but our partner did not overcall 2♦ so in my view best bid for us now is to PASS Regards Rado