CopeyJ

Hey Eagles :) I am a regular in the AoC and the Acol. I play morning and evening duplicates there and can totally understand where you are coming from. Whilst I am a Pro myself, I am not replying to plug my own cause. But I think some things are vital when considering a pro - to find someone who understands your goals and is prepared to try their best to help you achieve them. Sally Brock, Ben Green and Myself have put together a "Pro Bridge agency" - where you can peruse the various professionals on offer, and look what they are able to assist with and what they are not. Some have prices on the website, others ask you to enquire within (you can email them directly). I'd suggest you have a look at www.pro-bridge.co.uk as it will certainly offer you a bit of an insight into the world of Pro-Client bridge, which unfortunately remains mysterious to some. But we believe it is *THE* way to improve - for example I want to get better at golf so I have a lesson a week with a Pro - and he helps me work out how to improve and get the best out of myself. Why should bridge be any different? Feel free to message me if you'd like to - and you can email us through the website to ask us to help you try and find someone appropriate, if you'd like us to. Yours Simon

♣A was my choice and let it through. Dummy had void club, but partner had ♥A. I think it was a poorly thought out lead - I am thinking A♠ is the right card - have a look at dummy and make decision Dummy XXX XXXXX AQTXX Void Decl KQJ KJT KXXX KQX

Love all at teams, you pick up the following collection: ♠AX ♥X ♦JX ♣AJT98XXX P-P-1D-4C 5D-AP Opponents play 4cM, 12-14 NT base. You decide to bid 4♣, and when LHO bids 5♦you let that go, but what do you lead?

Hi Fred When I was playing at the weekend - I thoroughly enjoyed playing on VG as did my partner Stuart Haring. We played all our stanzas bar one on VG, and felt it helped us to concentrate even more than we might have done otherwise. It was a thoroughly enjoyable experience - thanks! :huh:

Exactly, Roland. And there within lies the crux of the problem. That is what the on site audience took real exception to, was the implication that proud nations such as Scotland, Wales, Eire and Northern Ireland were there as cannon fodder. It is also what we, the players, took exception to hearing, as we love this competition, and the more we can forge a strong partnership with the "home nations", the more chance there is of getting youngsters from all parts involved in our wonderful game. I think some of the comments just came out badly in type - I do not for one moment think that they were intended to be hurtful/disrespectful to the other nations and the other players at the JC & PB. It was a wonderful weekend, wonderfully covered by BBO. Let's just draw a line at that, shall we, and hope that it continues both as a fabulous tournament in its own right, and as a partnership with BBO for many years to come. Simon

Ok - I am going to risk putting my head into the firing line here. I played in the Junior Camrose last weekend - and was indeed on VG quite a bit of it. Whilst I understand, as a part time commentator myself, that commentators give up a great deal of free time to help out Roland and his team, I can also understand the feelings that have come from this thread. I made several clear mistakes, and for example my 3S contract where we should obviously be in game. These mistakes happen at the highest levels and we comment on them when they happen to some of the game's true greats. So the comments made about bidding and play are understandable and totally acceptable. The problem stems from some of the comments about the event generally. Some of the local viewers in Edinburgh felt that some of the comments were a little demeaning to the event, perhaps inferring that England needed to do little more than turn up to the event to win it. The locals felt that this was disrespectful to the other teams involved, and based on what i was told by the on site VG audience I would have to agree. The players involved had absolutely no problem with our mistakes being criticised - it is good for our game to hear what experienced players have to say about them. However, given the sensitivity involved in this particular event, mostly caused by England's tendency to dominate over recent years, it was difficult for the players to hear the on site audience being upset by some of the remarks, whilst we were doing our best to build up relations between the nations. Thank you to ALL who commentated over the weekend - I know what hard work it can be. It was a thoroughly enjoyable event to be a part of - a good time was had by all. I hope the sentiments of my thread will not be taken as a direct criticism, but merely trying to explain what was going on at the event itself. Finally, big thanks to Fred, Uday & Roland for their hard work and committment to BBO.