thebiker

Being an expert is not restricted to players who play strong no trump "the biker"

Hi Paulg NFN = Normal for Norfolk I take back my initial comments on my answers I was born in Suffolk and yes it is vaguely funny regards Brian Keable PS Beware the Iceni/ISIS visiting Scotland

I doubt that any of us would agree except in small enclaves, where it just sounds like a NFN situation To Paulg It would be helpful to know exactly what an NFN situation is? I dont expect everyone to agree with me - but if you find it necessary to comment on my views it might be considered more polite for you to comment in English rather than in abbreviated capitial letters which may not be understood by everyone. Brian Keable

Thank you all for your replies and input (1) I was not surprised that no one thought there was anything wrong with announcing Stayman however it was played. Thank you Gordon for your confirmation of this. (2) I have to disagree with the majority view that Garbage Stayman is virtually Universal in England At the higher levels of the game and in the major bridge communities that is very probably the case, but not by the vast number of ordinary players playing in the byways of small clubs in small counties such as Bedfordshire and other places The replies were all made by people playing at a high level and are not representative of the total bridge population In a recent partnership with a Cambridge graduate who learned his bridge in Yorkshire (Sheffield) and was at one point involved with the Junior traing program circa 2000 - my partner was amazed when I used a form of Garbage Stayman to wriggle out of a potential double of his 1NT opener.It was completely off his radar. (3) I agree that asking after a 2C bid has been made - could be taken as UI for partner, and I dont do that. Nor is it practical to ask every pair prior to play commencing about how they play Stayman, and as I said in the original post very few players actually produce convention cards these days This practice might not be best playing in a long match, where it is possible to ask a few questions prior to play commencing. It seems to me that the best method of defending against 1NT 2C is as follows (a) Playing MP's at club level, assume that the majority of players dont use Garbage Stayman, and then it double can be used for some purpose other than showing penalty values versus a weak 1NT (b) Playing teams (particularly again good players) just play double as Penalty of 1NT, which may help prevent one being shafted by the more knowledgeable/devious players. best regards Brian Keable alias "thebiker"

I am an EBU member playing in England The majority of players use weak no trump (12-14 (Announceable) and when they use Stayman 2C this is also announcable The majority of players who use Stayman, use it as a means of finding a major suit fit on the way to making a Game Try or Bidding game For this reason it seems practical in fourth seat to use Double as Lead Directing (Lead a club) rather than as a penalty double of a weak NT The frequency of asking for a club lead must be much higher than holding a penalty double of a weak no trump, and seem to me a reasonable method when playing match points. Of course a few players use Stayman on occasions to find a better spot at the two level in a major. But there is never any indication of the strength of the 2C bid on their card and sometimes it works for them. A very small minority of players use some form of Garbage Stayman as a way of getting out of 1NT before it is doubled, Its very rare that this is documented on their convention card (the default at club level appears to be these days to have as little as posible on a convention card and many do not even bother to have one. My question is as follows: If a pair are playing Garbage Stayman do the current EBU rules permit them to merely announce their partners 2C bid as Stayman? If the answer is Yes - are they currently required to add a rider stating that the bid may be made on Garbage? If the answer to this is NO, isnt there a case for changing the rules to make Garbage Stayman an ALertable convention? If Garbage Stayman gets Alerted, it would give the opponents the opportunity to implement Double of 2C as a penalty double of 1NT which might prove very profitable when the right scenario turned up ( I agree that it could also be a disaster if the no trumper and their partner were on the way to game. My point is that players are expected to reveal their agreements in most situations, and to disclose agreements that are unlikely to be mainstream. Perhaps someone who is an EBU TD might give the offical line for the above situation. I am interested in this area for two reasons: (a) I Like to know what agreements and weapons the oppo have in their armoury (b) I sometimes Garbarge Stayman without discussion with my partners as a way of running from 1NT before it is doubled Of course once this becomes a regular occurence with any partner it becomes an agreement. Do you think that once that point is reached, we should do more than just announce 1NT 2C as Stayman I sure that some players will say there is no need to do anything special - such methods are just part of the game, what is your view. Thank you in advance of your input/opinions Brian Keable alais "thebiker"

I was always under the mistaken impression that most of the forums, particularly this one, were for posters to ask sensible questions about the game and receive sensible intelligent answers/opinions from fellow bridge players. When and why did it become a battlefield for Poster J and Poster H to pursue their own private disagreements over their interpretations of how the game might be played ??! regards thebiker

All FYI Yes a difficult problem 4S makes 11 from either side for NS East can make 10 tricks in H's West can make 9 tricks in hearts (there there was a 5-5 heart fit) Doubling 1NT then doubling 4S for T/O works better than Doubling 1NT then bidding 4NT for take out, this led to an ugly -1100 as West with 3523 shape choose 5C as the contract. On this occasion a simple 2H overcall would have brought home some of the bacon regards thebiker

If your choice of action was double (penalty) your next problem is what to do when the oppo bid a direct 4S against you which comes to the doubler. Your partner taking no part in the auction What meanings would you assign now to (a)Double (b) 4NT regards thebiker

Playing MP's Dealer W EW Vul You are East West North East P 1NT (12-14) ? East's hand Spades void Hearts AQJT8 Diamonds AQJ5 Clubs K942 As East what action would you take? Why would you choose a particular action? (a) Double - penalty or (b) Bid 2H's or © If available to your partnership, make a conventional overcall showing a two suited hand with hearts or (d) Something else Thank you in advance for your answers regards "thebiker"

Love All at IMPS (Teams of 8) Soouth deals and opens 1NT (12-14) West J53 AKT64 K63 Q4 East QT4 3 AQJ7 AT098 Questions (a) If you were West would you make a bid over 1NT (b) If West did not bid, would you as East bid a bid © If one of you did make a an initial overcall, what would be the final contract reached by your partnership - Give details of your sequence please At the table EW were playing Suction West passed (his alternative was to bid 2D, showing a single suited heart hand or both black suits) East bid 2H which showed spades or both minors. The final contract was 3C making 130 -game in NT (430) was possible Questions (d) What went wrong, was this an unsuitable pair of hands for Suction operators? (e) Were the Suction players at fault? (f) Is Suction a suitable convention playing IMPS? Question (g) WOuld this problem have proved too difficult for other defensive methods? Thank you in advance for your answers/input regards Brian Keable alias "thebiker" thank you in advance for your impu

Hi I currently play Multi Landy as a defence to weak notrumps If partner overcalls with 2Ma showing 5Ma cards and 4+ cards in a minor, what do people think is the best responding structure to employ? I currently play as follows (a) (1N) 2Ma (P) 2NT asks for partners minor - and has game interest - (b) (1N) 2Ma (P) 3C simple pass/or correct I would be interested to hear what other players use, plus any notes on follow up sequences and comments on the viability of the their responding structure Does anyone have an alternative responding structure? Maybe (1N) (2Ma) (P) 2NT Pass/Correct sequences in play in 3Mi, plus GI/GF sequences, (1N) (2Ma) (P) 3C Game Try with both minors (The Style of response currently played (by some) over Muiderberg 2Ma openings) thanks in advance for your replies/input regards Brian Keable "the biker"

With a minimum three suited hand one could/can pass and maybe reenter the auction later with a t/o double "the biker"

I live in England and have alwsys played 12-14 no trump and 4 card majors Recently I hae played with a new partner and switched to 5 card majors and a 15-17 no trump and am finding some dificulty adjusting in certain competitive situations If partner opens 1C or 1D which can be a three card suit, and might be 12-14 balanced (weak 1NT) I am having difficulty when the opponents overcall particulatly if its 1S Playing weak 1Nt i double with 8+ points and 4 hearts, and with a 5+ suit and 10ish + I bid a new suit forcing at the two level. Playing 15-17 no trump I find that when 1Mi is overcalled by 1S , that we may get to high if I continue to follow my old style of copng with interference. I am looking for advice on how regualar strong no trumps cope in such situations. Is the answer to play negative free bids, where new suits at the two level are non forcing? ie 1C (1S) 2H is limited and can be passed This changes the character of negative doubles, which now have to range from minumum (how minimum ?) takeout doubles to wide range and forcing long suit bids. How soes this/would work in practice? Thank you in advance for anyadvice/tips regards Brian Keable alais "alais the biker"

Thank you all for your replies - some valuable suggestions for regular partnerships The action 1NT opener was: SQxx HKxx DAx CAKxxx The spade K was onside regards Brian Keable alias "the biker"

Playing pairs your partner opens a 15-17 1NT You hold: S AJT972 H AQJ432 D void C 8 How would you go about bidding this hand? Clearly a slam is likely but opposite certain holdings a grand may be possible A major suit salm is likely but 6NT may be be needed to win the board. How would you go about the bidding and the investigation of whether or not partner has the precise cards you need for the optimun contract. At the table playing in a relatively new partnership, with few agreements available, I transferred to 2S then bid 6H, and partner corrected to 6S. thank you in advance for your suggestions Brian Keable alias "thebiker"

You are North Dealer South (EW Vul) Pairs Bidding goes: S W N E 1S 2D P P X P ? What do you bid holding? S9 HJ98643 DK54 C973 Your methods allow you to use 2NT as a Lebensohl bid Would your actions be different playing teams? thank you in advance regards Brian Keable alias "the biker"

I remember Bob Brinig well, having lived in the same flat as him and Bob Rowlands in the early 70's. Indeed a a colorful character and a great guy. For a period his daughter Rebecca lived in the flat with the three of us. Unfortunately I never picked up any of his bridge skills or backgammon knowledge but he taught me a lot about cooking. On his Tuesday day off from the Eccentric Bob would get up about 2pm, have a drink go into the kitchen, maybe fry a few onions than return to the lounge and watch TV, then back to the kitchen many times over the course of the day, adding different ingredients to the meal, followed by a glass of his favourite sauce. By 10pm a great meal would emerge, sometimes completely different from what was "planned" at the beginning of the session The bridge world will miss him - he helped make it an interesting place to experience. Brian Keable Alias "the biker" A friend of mine Ron Davis sends this tribute to Bob: Sad news to hear Bob Brinig has passed away. I was privileged to partner Bob in the Bournemouth teams a few years ago. Easily the best player I have ever sat opposite, I watched him put away a selection of some of the more talented Grand Masters as if they didnât exist. I dont expect I shall be called upon again to sign off four times on the same hand prior to my partner bidding (and making) the Grand Slam anyway.

Thanks to those who replied for their constructive suggestions Many thanks Brian Keable alias "thebiker"

Six or more years ago I devised a set of reponses to 2NT openers, which I never played with anyone, because I thought that (a) they might be difficult for partners to remember and (b) would rarely occur. I would be interested to know (a) if anyone plays similar methods (b) Do you think that they would be practical and have some merit. The suggested methods were: 2NT 3C Standard Puppet Stayman 3D/3H Standard Transfers 3S/3NT Relays 2NT 3S Relay to 3NT 3NT Pass 4C Slam Try 1=3=4=5 or 1=3=5=4 shape 4D Club Slam Try 4H 6D/4C or 6C/4D 4S Slam try 2=2=4=5 4NT NF Slam try 1=2=5=5 5C 6C/5D 5NT F 1=2=5=5 2NT 3NT Relay to 4C 4C Pass (Rare) 4D Slam try. 3=1=5=4 or 3=1=4=5 shape 4H Slam try in diamonds 4S Slam try 2=2=5=4 4NT NF Slam try 2=1=5=5 5C 6D/5C 5D 5NT F 2=1=5=5 2NT 4Mi Available as transfers 2NT 4Ma Spare bids I would be interested to hear the views of other players thank you in advance Brian Keable alias "thebiker"

I have 2 books on Roman Key Card Blackwood, both by Eddie Kantar (1) Roman Key Card Blackwood - The Untold Story (1991) (2) Roman Key Card Blackwood - The Final Word (5th Edition) (2008) My questions are about coping after interference: Book 1 (Page 95) says that if interference comes at the five level in a lower ranking suit, than the most popular mechansim is DOPI (double = zero, Pass = one) It also say if the interference comes higher than the five level of the agreed suit then use DEPO (Double = even, Pass = Odd) Book 2 (Page 199-201) Says when the interference is beneath the six level of the agreed suit (and it is a 1430 ask) use DOPI (DOuble = zero, Pass = One) When the interference is above the six level of the agreed suit (and it is a 1430 ask) use DEPO (Double = even, Pass = Odd) My question is two part: (a) Is the Book 2 method the current standard used by experts ? Did Kantar tighten up his methods to cope better with more situations? (b) If not what other methods are deemed to be more effective ? A third queston? Is there any technical advantage in using DEPO rather than DOPE (Double = odd, Pass = Even) Thank you in advance for your answers. regards Brian Keable alias "thebiker"

Hi When one clicks on a forum members name one can see a measure of their "reputation" ie 0 upwards How is this number arrived at? No of posts? No of sensible posts/answers? Status in the face to face world? Master Point ranking in the face to face world? How is it calculated? and by whom? Note many posters dont supply their real names - so if say Zia Mahmood signed on as "another" would he automatically get a high rating? thank you in advance for your replies Brian Keable alias "thebiker"

I guess you mean 1NT (2D) X 2H 3NT - Values for game with 4 spades ?? Isnt that a bit WW1 ? Couldnt we have a sequence that tries to find a spade fit, and is aware that there might be a probably with diamonds? regards Brian Keable alias "the biker"

I play weak NT (12-14) and have recently been impressed (by other BBO forum members) that playing takeout doubles over natural minor suit overcalls is a better way of introducing Stayman sequences compared to Lebebsohl / Rubensohl counter measures I still have a few points to sort out 1NT (2C) X Takeout, with (a) Competitive values or (b) Staymanic Takeout with game values, similarly 1NT (2D) X My problem is how does one differentiate between type(a)and type (b)bids 1NT (2D) x 2H 4H - must show game values therefore NP but what about 1NT (2D) X 2H 2S? Does this show competitive values only with 4 spades and perhaps 4 clubs, or do people use it to show game values with 4 spades My guess is that for most players the sequence shows 4 spades and competitive values only, so how do people show a game forcing hand with 4 spades, and still manage to stay at a sensible level when there may be no decent 4-4 fit?? and where there may also be an absence of club stoppers between the two hands so that NT is not viable Thank you in advance for your input and suggestions Brian Keable alias "thebiker"

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