Rado

Hi friends, Just include me in the list when organising the play with forsing pass at the table. Lambda, Beznazwy and Rozkladowy were my favourites in the years 1985-1989.:-) Rado

Hi John, You are completely right about hesitations during live bridge. Anyway at BBO many times the tempo is broken by the bad connections. My advice is not to bother from the speed of play of the opps or partner since we cannot know whether they had problem to think or bad connection. I've had many occasions when I've played the card and it's sen played on my screen, but actually the others did not see it and waited for me. As you said BBO is for pleasure play so no need someone to try to win with the help of varying the tempo which is unethical and forbidden in live bridge. best regards, Rado

Hi Ben, 1) In my view and experience 7-4 is usually better to be treated as one-suiter (of course sometimes things are changed) 2) see 1 3) I would overcall 3He even direct 4He bid when non-vulnerable worths some merit (putting pressure on opps or biding our game - 2 red kings may produce easy 10 tricks anyway)

Hi Marmot, Your question hits one very interesting area in bidding. Experts are divided between 2 main principle for unclear bid on level 4th (as per your example): 1. bid is always que agreeing the last suit (or logical suit) 2. bid is always natural if it can be natural. My opinion is someway in the middle: at the presented sequence 4Cl must be both way= slam try with own CL suit and not Sp fit or Cue agreeing Sp. But at this particular hand I think 4D is the correct bid since it must agree Sp and is waiting for He cue (the other option is 4D to show a monster 6Cl5Di 2-suiter which is very rare hand). So if we accepted 4D to agree Sp, then 4C on another hand would be own suit, or Cue agreeing SP but denying D cue (since we have 4D available). For practical reasons the jump to 3Sp must set the trump suit for 99 pct of the cases best regards, Rado

Hi Pbleighton, For many years in our Varna bridge community the treatment for 2 suited overcalls was weak or strong, while with intermediate range and 5-5 we overcall with higher ranking suit and bid the other on next round (if possible or reasonable). With my regular partners we played abt 6-11 or 16+ min 5-5 (of course always having in mind vulnerability). Also our 1m-2m cue was S+another(excluding opponents' suit). This worked enough well: 1. When opps pass and partner gives suit preference only the overcaller may bid in different ways to show different strong types (new suit, new que, NT, jump.....) 2. When opps continue bidding the overcaller may act again with DBL, new suit, que..... In the last years we tryed the modern view of playing 2 suited overcalls with continuous range (good description in Marshal Miles book "Competitive bidding of 21st century"). This way also seems workable but requires more judgement and a little bit higher minimum for the ovecall abt 8-9 good points. In my view the weak or strong way is better for new partnerships and less experienced players, while continuous range is for well established experienced players and pairs. Hope above to be helpfull Best regards, Rado

Many bridge authors quote 1D-2C as the "black ship" of their system (Lawrance, Bergen, ...) I personaly prefer: - 1D-2C = FG unless suit rebid (in which case showing 6 cards abt 10-11P), - 1D-3C=good 6 cards 7-9 points

Here is the standart Puppet Stayman responses(used mainly after 2NT opening) ******** 2NT-3C(puppet) 3D=4M(uncpecified or bot Majors) 3M=5M 3NT=no 4+M ************ after 2NT-3C-3D the weak hand bids the Major which does not have, the idea is the NT to play the hand 3H= 4 cards in S 3S= 4 cards in H 3NT= no 4M (3C was bid to check 5M only) 4C= Slam interest with fairly balanced hand without 4M 4D=4H+4S (both nmajors) Same scheme may be used after 1NT with some usefull amendments since the level is lower

May suggest following practical rule for 3rd seat opening: 1. If the hand has normal opening values (e.g you will open it at 1st or 2nd position) then open it as per your system. 2. If the hand has less than opening values (e.g. you would pass it at 1st or 2nd) but has very good 4 cards Major or fairly good 5 card major then open it in 3rd , unless you cannot handle some of the rebids example: non-vulnerable xxx KQJx xxxx Ax is worth opening 1H in 3rd since after any response by partner you may pass gladly while :xx KDJx xxxx Axx is not so good since after 1H-1S you do not have easy pass, rebiding 1NT may misguide Partner (he may bid 2NT as invitiation if max passed) best regards, Rado

Hi Maureen, Will try to present the difference between Matchpoints scoring and IMP scoring and the different strategies on the table depending on scoring method 1. Matchpoints: your result is compared to the results of all the other pairs on the same board and is given some percent between 100 and 0 example: assume 5 tables (10 pairs) and N-S scored different +: You've scored +140, 3 pairs +110 and only one +100 here you will get 100 % and your opps 0%, at the three tables where +110 scored all N-S and E-W pairs will get 50 %, the last N-Sfor their +100 only will get 0% while there opps E-W for -100 will score 100 % at the above example there would be no difference whethere you have scored +170, or +420 or +1100 Simply the best result gets 100 % the next gets less..... 2. At IMP's your result is compared to the results of all the other pairs on the same board and is given IMP difference to all other pairs for example: assume 5 tables (10 pairs) and N-S scored diff rent +: You've scored +200, 3 pairs +100 and only one passed here you will get (200-100) = +100 = +3 IMPS (see the table of Ben Inquiry) so you won by 3 imps to every of the three pairs and once (200-0)=+200=+5 imps another five imps from the fitht pair who passed out IMP scoring is commonly used in teams matches: for example you''ve made +620 for 4H just, at the other table your team mates sacrificed to 5C for -500 only the difference is +620-500=+120 = +3 IMPS for your team next board you go down one on 4H for -50, at the other tble opps bid only 3H and made 140, here you get -50 -140 = -190 = -5 IMpS for yoyr team. the conclusion: when playing IMPS and you have safe way for 9 tricks at 3NT and risky way for +1 (but risking going down) you have to play safe and to get your +400 (or +600 vulnerable) because if trying for +1 and make you will win 1 IMP only but when failed you will loose 10 Imps ( 12 if vulnerable). Opposite when Matchpoints playing for +1 will give appropriate % result more (if all made +1 and only you just made then you will get 0%). At Matchpoints reasonable risks for making overtricks can be accepted while in IMPS NOT. Hope above will help you, please do not hesitate to ask if something still unclear. Best regads, Rado

Hi Marmot, 1H-1S-3H tends to show good 6 cards in H (KQxxxx or better) and good14 to bad 17 honour points: AKJxxx +AQ is abt min (good 14) Jx KQxxxx AQx KQ (bad 17) Some experts recommend even AKQxxx+A to be included Best regards, Rado

This example is from the weakest part of the Sayc or 2/1 based systems. Without one of the Aces 3H would be good rebid, but now your hand is too strong so the smallest lie is jump-shift to 3D, even 3NT is worthing as an option. For example in French 5 card Majors systems there is an opening bid to show such type called "strong 2" good 6 cards and 17-20 Honour points - 2C=FG and 2D=any strong 2 or vice versus

Hello Pbleighton, Will try to share my experience on the questions posted based on precision club used by "Ppilot" and me for the last 1 year (including many times at BBO). First some main features of the so called "Pilot's "precision: 1. 1D=11-17 4+cards non-balanced handed (5332 incl) 2. 1M=8-15 5+cards (when 8-10 must be good...54,55..6 3. 1NT=12-15 4. 2C=11-15 6+clubs or 5clubs4M 5. 1C=16+ We use LOB mainly when 5M and rarely when non 5M Here my comments as per your questions: 1. When implementing LOB in "natural" wide opening system stretching down more than 1 point usually makes difficulties in some situations resulting in overbidding. However at favourable vulnerability the risks worth. In my view trying to adjust all the responses and further bids based on LOB in natural systems will make more mess. 2. Forcing club systems perfectly match the LOB. May accept common principle: a hand I would overcall at level 1 worth opening. Due to the closer limits of 1 level openings when strong 1C available it's more easy to adjust the subsequent bidding. The 1C opening of course needs too much science to have precise further bidding. 3a. Not significant change in going down or bad results. Some overbidding ocurrs. Since LOB usually have some more distribution not so dangerous playing 1 level doubled. 3b. Playing LOB with 4 card Majors will be very agressive indeed, but subsequent negotiations will be very heavy (even impossible in some competitive situations). I prefer 5M from 1st/2nd and often 4M from 3rd position 3c. When non-interference there is enough room to research the slam possibilities (Splinters,que-bids, serious/unserious 3NT, RKCB....) 3d. Since LOB is usually non-balanced hand a little danger for wrong siding the final contract exists. 4. Many people think that when written Precision 11-15 it means all 11 must be open and all 16 must be open 1C. Of course when playing enough time and aiming to improve your game the obvious changes happen: start to open some 10 points, passing some 11, opening 1C some 15, opening 1suit some 16 ...... 5. From my observations of Bermuda Bowl, World, Euro and NABC from the top 100 pairs the distribution is: 15-sound 65-light 20-very light 6. LOB must be fully discussed with Partner what to expect and which situations need LOB, which need sound. Also they need some changes in the standart structure of subsequent negotiations (my advise is to keep such changes as minimum as possible). Hope all above not to be too bothering, Best regards, Rado

Hi Orla Overcalling opps' 1NT has 2 main purposes depending on the strength of 1NT: a) against strong NT (14+points) the point is to achieve our partscore and to prevent opps best contract :) against weak NT (upto 15 points) - to found good basis for penalizing opps or to achieve our game The difference comes from pure statistics- when opps declare 15 or more points, our game will be very rare (usually based on good fit) so the goal is to introduce as many as possible distributional hands: here obvioulsly DONT has advantage since all 1-suited and 2-suited hands may play on level 2. When Opps declare 11-15 points(some range of weak NT) then the chances for our game are still alive and also the chances for penalizing opps exist too - the conclusion is to reserve DBL as penalty oriented (mainly with balanced hands) and to make overcall constructive (near opening bids). With my regular live Partner we play DONT against strong 14+NT and Cappeletti against weak 15-NT. Some of our Nationals play Woolsey defence (described by Inquiry above) against Strong and same against weak changing just DBL=13+ points fairly balanced. Nevermind what convention is used both partners must be on same wave that overcalling strong NT might be only distributional and overcalling weak must be sound (constructive) Best regards, Rado

Transfer responses (not only after precicion) are one of the modern trends in the bidding. Many world top pairs (Bocchi-Duboin, Buratti-Lanzarotti, some Swedish, USA and others) are using transfer schemes after their 1C, 1D and others openings. Transfers (and retransfers)give more possibilities for full description of the hands and also help for placing the contract from the right hand more often than standart methods. Same are to be used in competition where are still many undiscovered areas for their implementation Best regards, Rado

Would say abt 12-15 pts with good 6+cards AKJxxx+A should be the minimum, KQ109xx+A+AQ should be maximum. Stronger hands must start with DBL If balancing with jump to level 3 in C or D then a little bit stonger (14-17) since less space for investigatiing possible 3NT. Another interesting situation is 1C-P-P-? 3H/S should show not bad 7 carder + out side AQ or equivalent e.g AKxxxxx+A, KQxxxxx+ AK

2nd/4th leads were invented and applied first in Poland some 30 or more years ago. The main profit is to comply with reversed carding (UDCA) and not to change your style when returning the remaining count - always to signal the original count. When doubleton Hounour the lead is Honour not small: Q2 lead 2, 102, lead 10, 92 lead 2. When 4 or 5 smalls might be lead 2nd or 4th we at Bulgaria prefer always 4th in order to get the total distribution of the hand much earlier. Polish experts usually lead 2nd from 4 smalls which also have merit.

Some ideas which work good without too much memmory used: suit at 1st level - 5cards, 5+ points F1 non jump suit on 2nd lv - 5-8 p NF non jump suit at 3rd lv - 8+ FG DBL= take-out (according to the level) or stronger type Que = FG with singl/void in the overcall jump in suit=whatever you like, I prefer very good 6 cards and FG NT's = natural if artifitial overcall then DBL = just points and balanced others remain same

In my view the best book for getting started with Precision is: C.C. Wei - Precision bidding at bridge well explained simple precision with the basis ideas, no asking bids and no other complex relays. Also some good boards from the "Sinderella" team 2nd place at Bermuda Bowl. And as often happens the simple is the best

What about such scheme? 1. After a pair is signed for the tournament it is automatically sent to random table with reserved places and till the end of the round is fixed there (if bad connection, coming directly to the reserved place after quiting and back) 2. When the start is given all tables play one and the same board 3. the scoring method might be what ever we choose: -on Mondey - IMPS -on Tuesday - Matchpoints -on Wednesday - Medianna -on Tuesday - Patton scoring -on Friday - Total -on Saturday - Rubber -0n Sunday - dance Glad to hear whether the above mentioned will not require too much changes in the software

We have discussed with Fred many times regarding the "star" system. In my view the original Fred idea : "worth watching" already fulfilled its mission and now it's time for change. Remove all stars because they are inflicting too much envy in some of the BBO members and it conraditcts to the main purpoce of BBO as friendly site without ratings, ELO, points...... Instead let Fred assign ne symbol "Crown" to the people won live world or European or American championship or other major world competitions. I'm sure Fred knows all ofthem personally. :-))))))

If you intended to bid 2S as 4th suit forcing then you should alert. If you intended to bid as psyche then NO The quoted situation is not clear and my view is always to alert and to explain as 4SF Of course bidding pass-pass - 1H on 3 cards as psyche is not alertable or 1H-pass-1S with 2-3 v=cards in S and H fit also intended to psyche is not alertable Since BBO is generaly for pleasure and fun, I think psyches are welcomed when establisshed and known partnerships are playing as opponents

Kattn: Fred, Uday, and all programers stuff Pls find herebelow some proposals: 1.Would be nice to have the posibillity to play teams matches here. We are glad to see that more and more players are joining BBO and this new feature will help all the novice and experienced to have more fun and help in improving. 2. Separate window for friends chat will be helpful not to bore all the kibs or all the lobby when somebody wants to talk to several people

The general purpoce of "Alert" is to warn the opponents that the bid shows some additional information which "MIGHT" not be known to them. When playing on screens or at BBO Partner does not see the Alert so no unauthorised information may be passed from Alert or failure of it. Proper Alerting is the Spirit of the game as fair play. There are many situations where even "pass" must be alerted because it means something:-))))) lead that or do not lead that or forcing pass, or better hand pass and many other agreements. Regarding "nebulous" 1D opening in precision it's enough to explain as 2+cards or 1+cards

An article from French Bridge Magazine by Mr. Alain Levy - one of the greatest French players What to lead when bidding suggests passive lead? Against trump contract: Priority 1. AK..... 2. singleton 3. Sequence (KQ, QJ, ..........) 4. small cards - 2, 5, 4, 3, 5. from alone Honours 5.1 longer - exeption : lead from Jxx instead Kxxxx 5.2 if equal length from smaller honour Against No trump: - if unbid Major - lead there exeption: solid 4 cards minor or good 5 cards - avoiding underleading A All above when biding suggests passive lead If not then fantasy and luck :-)))))))))) Hope to have your kind comments whether the above seems practical. Best regards Rado

1. P-(2S)-X-(P)-2N Lebensohl 2. P-(2S)-P-(P)-2N Any 2 suiter 3. P-(2S)-P-(P)-X-(P)-2N scrambling (2 places to play) 4. 1N-(P)-2C-(2H)-P-(P)-2N invitation (bad defence for 2H doubled or Vulerable aginst not) 5. (given in another thread 1N-(P)-P-(2S)-P-(P)-2N minors (54 as min) 6. 1N-(P)-2C-(P)-2H-(2S)-2N invitation (bad defence for 2H doubled or Vulerable aginst not) 7. P-(1H)-P-(2H)-P-(P)-2N minors 8. P-(1S)-P-(2S)-2N any 2 suiter 9. (1S)-P-(2C)-2N 2C = game force red suits 10. (1C)-P-(1S)-X-(2S)-2N Lebensohl (also some words for playing in C, but needs partnership agreement - opp's C suit might be 3-4 cards only) 11. (1S)-P-(2S)-X-(P)-2N scrambling (+ Lebensohl idea if 3H rebid after) 12. P-(1S)-P-(2S)-X-(P)-2N scrambling