ar100

I also have issues with table formatting. Sometimes, the chat window disappears. Other times, the fonts are so large that not even the bidding is visible. How do I fix this problem? I am using IE9.0 as I have found that BBO was freezing up or disconnecting frequently when I tried using FireFox and Google Chrome. On a related note, what is the recommended browser (version number please) and setting on that browser? Thanks- ar100

I am creating this discussion group to discuss issues that we find with Robot play and biding in BBO's robot tournaments. As BBO describes, robots are designed to make good plays and sometimes bad plays, just like we all do. Having played in robot tournaments, I can say that I quite agree with this statement. Robots are very decent bridge players. However, sometimes Robots consistently make plays that are not what would be expected of an average (or better) tournament bridge player. The purpose of this discussion group is to point out some flaws that perhaps BBO programmers may want to look at and fix. I invite all, including BBO admin staff to comment here. I kick off this discussion by pointing out one such problem that I have encountered on a consistent basis. You open the biding 1m, LHO overcalls, 1M, your partner, the Robot, makes a negative double. You don't have support for OM (the other major) nor the stopper in M, but have five card in your m, so you rebid it. Your partner, the Robot bids the other minor. For example, You, South, deal, and hold Ax,xxx AQxxx,Kxx and open 1D-(1S)-X-(P); 2D-(p)-3C-(p)-? In normal standard bidding, this would show 6+ in clubs and less than three, probably only one diamond. In fact when hover the mouse over 3C bid by the Robot, it shows < 3 diamonds, 4+ clubs and <11 HCPs etc. 4+ C is discomforting to you; this bidding should show more than five clubs, but you pass. At least you have 3 card support. You are surprised when the dummy comes down with only four clubs, and three diamonds. So we are playing in a 4-3 fit at three level, having rejected a known 5-3 fit at two level. This is below par for otherwise decent play shown by Robots. Robots have done this consistently, so I think they are programmed to bid like this. What do you think? Atul

:) My bid is 3H. As Reese wrote in one of his books, "6-4, bid more." Fallacy is relying on HCPs for very distributional hands. This hand is not your usual 12-14 miniumum hand, it has AK in long suit, and 4-4 fit in partner's suit. I would be disappointed if I don't take ten tricks on this hand. I expect partner to upgrade his honors in majors and downgrade his non-ace honors in minors. Give partner xx,Kxxx, Qxx, Kjxx, and he may pass my 3H bid. Change Dq to CQ, and partner shd bid to game, but it may not make. -a