TylerE

The reason I like A or K is that A: it clarifies the control situation for slam auctions and B: It can often be useful in other situations... I had a hand recently where we were one of only 2 pairs in a field to avoid an obvious 3N with Qx opp. xxx in a suit, and instead played 5m making on the nose.

Suit positives should remain the classic 2 of the top 3, 5+ suit, with 6 preferable in the minors. Generally, it is much more important for opener to have room to describe his hand. Another idea with some merit is to drop suit positives, and run all GF hands 2♦ and play 2♥ as a non-descript bust, and suits as no A/K, 6+ suit.

2♥ bust, with 2N showing hearts. 2♦ A/K+ (2 Q is NOT a 2♦ bid). Simple. Done. Add in a few toys like Kokish Relay for more fun. Please don't play step points or some such rubbish.

Sounds like a pretty cool idea. I'd be interested in participating and I'm fairly sure bid_em_up would be willing also...

This hand screams for suit play. 4♥ is pretty clear to me. Agree with Mike on bidding 5♣ if cracked.

Shouldn't X then 5♦ be about this hand?

No. Cuebids are generally not alertable in the ACBL. In fact, the only time the "cuebid" is alerted is if it isn't one, and is instead an offer to play in the suit.

http://www.cumberlandmodelengineering.com/images/N&W%20J%20611.jpg N&W J Class... Capable of 100+ MPH sustained pulling 12 passenger cars, which is something even the A4s couldn't really do. Shame that none are operable anymore, although there is one that ran as recently as the mid-90s.

Maybe the best compromise is to not say anything but ask for an adjustment after the hand? On furthur reflection...this is actually a case when just throwing out the board via Avg/Avg might be the most fair adjustment, both to the two pairs involved and to the field. (Yes, I know that would be heresy in offline play). Also, I'm not at all sure the action is UNethical, especially if you say how the tricks went (fact) vs. suggesting a line of play ("your spades are up"). I don't think the entry fee is a factor either. It's ethical or it isn't.

How can 4♦ ever be right? If he catchs the *absolute best possible dummy* he still has basically no chance of making. Also, if you say N wouldn't bid 4♦, fine, but surely EW then will land in 3N? E will bid it and W has no reason to pull.

No, I've never been screwed by an unalerted 2NT bid over a weak 2, and gotten no redress. Never. Yes, that is what the chart reas as Not Alerted. Not sure what you are saying and how it is relevant. 2Nt over a weak two is a) natural and B) not a jump. My point is that A: Some poor misguided souls actually play 2X-2NT as minors B: Don't bother to alert that an in fact become rather indignant when you call the director after the hand.

Why is it terrible? I have partner who likes playing extended stayman which seems to require a 15-18 HCP point range. It's terrible because it makes competitive auctions harder, you have perfectly good 1m-1X-2N sequences to handle the 18-19 hand, and responder has to bid with many marginal hands that could pass a 15-17 NT. In short...all downside with absolutely no upside.

The 2♣ - 2bananas - 3NT sequence for one is terrible. A great way to miss a good slam. Kokish relay is better here. (Google it). 15-17 5M hands can be hard also unless you open them all 1NT, which many players won't.

To be pedantic, the chart reads No, I've never been screwed by an unalerted 2NT bid over a weak 2, and gotten no redress. Never.

I think throwing the board out was the one thing you absolutely can not do here. That said, I'm a bit out of my league here as for saying what you should have done, but I don't think you can just throw out a board where a result has been obtained. Ok, actually changed my mind... An international player should know that with the opponents showing at least a combined 23 count or so, his partner can have at most 5 points here. Let's be generous and say 6. I don't see how he can justify a 4 level bid with about a 9 loser hand with poor long suits opposite a known turd. Note also, that he has a very decent hand to defend 4♥. So I think NS get every bit of the -800 they earned. That said, I can see north's arugments to an extent, so I'm not inclined to give E/W the +800, at least in full. Not a weighted score area so I don't really have much expirience there.... but as a simple split, -800 to NS, and whatever they make in 3♥ for E/W feels about right.

15-18 NT is TERRIBLE. 3 pt range pls.

3♥ is this wasn't posted in the forum.... obv pass when it is. Hate hate hate 2♥. Way to much chance of pard mis-evaluating a hand with good values but a stiff heart and missing a cold vuln game the LoLs at the other table are bidding. Qx Axxxxxx xx xx would be closer to 2♥ for me.

Now that android phones (running v. 2.2) support flash, mobile bbo is finally a possibility. However, I've had issues with getting logged in because the ads and pop up page don't work well on a mobile browser. I'd like to a "mobile" flash version page...with the same app, but no ads, and not as a popup. This will maximize the chances of it actually working properly on phones.

I don't remember exactly... but it was something like.. 1x - 1♠ 3♠ - something (4♦?) 4N - 5♦ 5♠ - 6♠

It's not an appeal being debated. The director took the board away to consult but never actually came back with a result. (I was the other member of NOS in this case)

RKC if not playing minorwood. Obv. quant if you have another keycard bid.

I like a 5♠ bid. Asks for a raise if partner holds 2nd round heart control. Not perfect, but about the best option lacking very specific agreements (4♥ as a big spade hand would be nice here...). I don't blast 6.

Pass and I don't think it's close. Number of cashing club tricks on this hand: 0. I'd be more worried if the opponents bid at the six level.

Exile has always been kinda sparse to me. I mean, it has it's moments but it doesn't really hang together that well to me. That said, I've always thought the stones were overrated any way. Give me, say, Faces any day.

1♥ is normal on the given hand. However, bidding it on some random 4432 1-count is lunacy. If you really want to bid with the second hand, 1♦ is best since it maximizes the chance that partner will bid something you can pass...