Hanoi5

I play bridge because I love the mental challenge of strategy games. I used to play chess and dominoes, I love problem solving, I like backgammon and sometimes I do a sudoku. It's nice to give your brain some work and i feel good proving myself worthy in any of those games but especially with bridge. Probably because of the country where I live I get to be a 'star' (or to seem to be one). I also like the fact that you play with a partner, that there are so many competitions and so easy to find and that you can earn money teaching or playing professionally. I think my aim is to achieve a master rank, internationally. I'd need to play at international events with my country's team or partmer and do well, of course. I'd need to play very well. This is probably what I want to achieve, I'd like to master the game. I know it's impossible to win everytime but I'd like to be like those players who can see stuff and think right very quickly. Another goal in bridge is getting a lot of people in my country to play it, especially young people, which isn't easy. And I keep coming back for more, 'cause there's more. Sometimes you get bad results, sometimes you feel proud of yourself for counting a hand properly or playing a hand perfectly (and this includes biddingm playing or defending, of course). And it's always different. I might read a magazine or a book opr an article and find something similar at the table, or see something at the table that I'll read about later. And now I think is time you answered your own question and tell us what your problem is (or problems are). Maybe we can help you :)

What opportunity? That was an important part of the revoke penalty structure, I guess we'll go back to the Alcatraz Coup.

I guess I'll pass, but what if 4♥ is on?

I guess it doesn-t matter much for, how often do you have a 5-5 fit and defend?

Can you elaborate? And who is Endicott?

Then as of next year, because the new laws 'regime' begins next year.

This is cryptic bridge, in case you don't know: http://www.blakjak.demon.co.uk/brg_lnks.htm#genpwkl1

40. 2. Information conveyed to partner through such understandings must arise from the calls, plays and conditions of the current deal. Each player is entitled to take into account the legal auction and, subject to any exclusions in these laws, the cards he has seen. He is entitled to use information specified elsewhere in these laws to be authorized. (See Law 73C.)

Trump asking bids are common (5 of a major or 5NT jump). However there are also asking bids for suits that are not trumps, but how do you agree to them? how do you play them? do they go along well with cue-bids and exclusion key-card? How do you know which is which?

Oops. I guess I played the hearts too early in my mind. Also, I thought the spade jack was the menace, not the 8 :)

Pray tell me how the squeeze goes.

No squeeze develops. I'll check my love's squeeze book to see if there is a theoretical reason.

[hv=d=s&v=b&n=skj6hak1076dakca103&w=sh9432dj97654cq96&e=sq109753hqj5d10cj52&s=sa842h8dq832ck874]399|300|Scoring: IMP[/hv] Sadly, IMHO, N/S can't make 6NT.

If your partner transfers over 2NT do you always accept? 2NT-3♦ 3♥ (even with 2 hearts) Or do you show how many hearts you have: 2NT-3♦ 3♥ (at least 3 hearts) 3NT (only 2 hearts) Or reversed?: 2NT-3♦ 3♥ (only 2 hearts) 3NT (at least 3 hearts)

Let's say 12 tables or 10 tables.

What's the best way to choose sitting arrangements for a 2 sessions, 4 sessions, or 6 sessions tournament? The idea is to make as many people play against each other as possible.

The bidding goes: East West 1 ♥ 3NT* 4 ♥ 4NT! Pass East opens a heart and West shows a 13-15 balanced hand with 3-card support, although N/S didn't ask until after the bidding was over. East alerts and bids 4 ♥ which shows no slam interest. West slammed the 4NT bidding card on the table and East hesitated for around 30 seconds before passing. West didn't have heart support, she just wanted to play 3NT. N/S called the Director who ruled (after consulting) that there wouldn't be any penalty. West was orally reprimanded by everyone (including the director). What should the ruling have been? Didn't East have UI from the alert, even though it wasn't explained? Should East be allowed to pass? Does it change any of the above answers the fact that the tournament was a Cavendish-scored tourney? What if East is a teacher (pro) and West a pupil?

Activities can be made to fit kids needs in bridge. In fact minibridge attempts to do just that, introduce kids to bridge. Where I live the problem with bridge (and maybe this happens everywhere?) is that it is played with cards and cards are associated to gambling and not so good activities. If bridge could be taught in schools as chess is (in someplaces I agree) it'd be wonderful. More people would know about it and be hooked to it, just as they're hooked to other pasttimes.

Unfortunately for Bridge, Chess has been around for more than 2000 years making it more widely known. I think one of the main priorities of bridge federations is making the game known and popular. Which ain't easy...

Playing 5-card majors, what do you open with: AQxx x KJxx KJxx And why? And what about: AJx xx KJxx KJxx

The problem is you're taking advantage of an opponent's hesitation (which is valid) prompt by your partner's hesitation (which is not a valid source of information). I guess the correct thing to do is analyze what your opponent might have been thinking had your partner not hesitated; that you can take into consideration.

It doesn't seem normal to bid 5♦. It should be North who bid it (or N bids 4NT?).

I lead ♣9 and I bid 5♠.

How easy! In my country there is only one game of those. Bummer.

**it happens.