TylerE

Stronger, although I'd say not as strong as e.g. 1m-1M-3M in an unconstested auction.

Strongly agree with those saying BBO should stay out of the certification business. At most, BBO should do some basic fact checking to verify any claims made about events won, masterpoints held, national certifications, etc. I don't think there should be any bar to entry beyond basic proof of identity, being in good standing with no abuse complaints, etc.

Honestly, in a ideal world beginners would taught EHAA (e.g. 4 card 1-bids, solid openings, preemptive 2s, weak/mini NT), which basically requires nothing artifical beyond Stayman. (Stuff like blackwood, NMF, and 4SF are nice of course, but really not strictly nessesary). The style can be surprisingly effective, and more importantly will help giving a novice/beginner a good sense of natural, constructive bidding, and hand evaluation.

2NT must be two places to play, no? 3♥

I'm just saying that if you don't bid 3♣ on this you'd better take a long hard look at what you ARE using 3♣ for.

Because you're going to have a REALLY hard time getting partner to believe you're 5-5? Honestly if you can't systemically bid 3♣ on this hand, you should drop a natural 3♣ rebid altogether and use it as artifical to handle some problem hand.

Can't beleive people are calling south's hand a "minimum". 100% to south for not rebidding 3♣. Why make a bid that shows 5 of your cards when you have one that shows 9.

Consult http://www.ecatsbridge.com/documents/docde...;Systems%2FOpen Martens-Jassem.

3♥ = Splinter 3♠ = 4♠ + 5+♣ (4-6/4-7 fairly likely) 4♠ = Fit, nothing to cue.

4♥ = ♠ (Texas, 4♦ likewise for 4♥) 4♠ = Probably some sort of minor hand

I don't open 1♦ and rebid 2♣ on a 17 point hand. The sequence shows a minimum, that's kinda the point. If 5422 just bid 2NT (Or open 1N with a bad 17), with 5431 open the 5 and JS.

Ok, here's mine, one of my favorite hands ever, but it occurred early in my career when my memory wasn't that great. My hand was something like: Axx AKQJ Kxx Kxx MP..none vuln, partner opens 3♠ in first. This could be..erm, wide ranging, which gives me a problem. Which RHO promptly resolves by doubling for takeout. I calmly pass in tempo and LHO goes into a major tank and bids....4♥! Pass-Pass----erm, double? We ended up taking 10 tricks (4 trumps, 4 spades (partner's suit was BAD), and the two minor suit kings, for 2000. Only time I think I've made a suit game on defense, when it was actually bid.

Me...4th or whatever at this point.

Sure.

Any resemblance between the average ACBL club and "bridge" is pure coincidence.

4♦. Partner is basically marked with ♠ shortness, and 3♦ is not a courtesy bid. Why would partner ever bid 3♦ if this hand doesn't raise?

Yes another vote for 3♣. If you forced me to bid anything besides 3♣, I'd bid 3NT (Gambling style, long minor with some side cards). 2♣ is impossibly timid IMO. I'd rather bid 5♣ than 2...not that I advocate that but it's likely to get us to a better spot IMO.

Sadly, yes.

This hand is one of the main things I like about playing weak/mini NT...this problem doesn't exist. On the given hand..probably 2NT.

At the table I Xed, thinking we played it as takeout, not pen. 500 wasn't great against the par of 720. P had: ♠ Qxx ♥ Kxxx ♦ Ax ♣ AQJx Club K was onside doubleton.

[hv=d=n&v=b&s=skqtxxxhatxdkxcqx]133|100|Scoring: IMP 1♣ - (p) - 1♠ - (p) 2♣ - (2♦) - ?[/hv] The totally of your agreements is: '2/1 std carding'

Over 4♣ parter bids 5♣. Back to you.

[hv=d=s&v=n&s=sj9653haq8dk2ca42]133|100|Scoring: IMP (p) - p - (1♠) - p (2♣) - p - (2NT) - AP (2♣ is natural.)[/hv] Leads in this situation: 4th best from length A asks attitude K asks for count/unblock

[hv=d=w&v=b&s=sakt3haqd7ct97652]133|100|Scoring: IMP (p) - 1NT (15-17) - (3♦) - ?[/hv] X would be penalty. Opponents are unknown, E seems to be a bit frisky with preempts.