Old York

The reference to 5cM was only an example of the type of post which attracts most hostility. It is well known that this produces strong views, but nobody has provided definitive proof one way or another, so the argument continues. At one time, an opening 1NT with 5cM would be seen as a psych :) I would give different advice to beginners on many subjects, prefering to give advice which may be less likely to lead to disaster. Let them learn by experience Tony

This is exactly what I mean Every book and magazine article I have ever read has given this advice, and many will contradict it We are left with the view that it is merely a matter of opinion, and not fact Tony

"Bridge Players do it with Finesse" "Squeeze my Pips" "World Class Dummy" "An Ace, An Ace... My Kingdom for an Ace" Any more? Tony :)

To learn from the experiences of others Unfortunately, there are many posters who always contradict each other and seldom supply a reasoned explanation The threads on "should I open 1NT with a 5 card major" and similar, never produce evidence to support their claims. If a world class player answered "It is 58% more likely to gain, unless the major is very strong", then we have real facts on which to judge and not just random opinions Tony I intended (58-42) which was taken from magazine, but lost it when post was shortened.. oops, but the figure is immaterial - it was just an example

After viewing your profile, I would bid 3♣ (Bergen) This gives you the opportunity to raise to game later to show the extra strength Given your methods, this is nearest to the truth about your hand, but nothing is ideal Tony

For general guidelines, go to the lobby of any ACBL tournament and click the button marked "Tournament Rules" It seems that the Tournament Rules button was a feature of the windows version, so you may need to download the old version:- Looking for our older downloadable Windows program? click here http://www.bridgebase.com/ Other tournaments may have special rules like "no psyches", "undos are mandatory" and "ties must be worn". etc These should be shown in the tournament description if no rules have been uploaded. Most Tournament Hosts will announce the special rules at the start of the tourney Tony

I would need a very much stronger hand to be tempted to bid 2♠ At the moment, your hand looks like 16-17. This is not enough for game if partner has 6hcp As I suggested earlier, your opponents have both passed. What does this imply? There is a good chance that partner has a good hand, and will know what to do after your simple 1♠ rebid Do not force your partner to bid. Trust him and listen to his rebid, he is highly unlikely to pass Tony

Opponents have both passed, that is very good Tony

I am very tempted to pass twice Horror of horrors Tony

Using standard methods with a pick-up partner After 1♥ is doubled 1♠ response to double is minimum (0-9 total points - may be 3 card) 1NT response 6-9hcp+stopper 2♠ response is invitational (10-12 total points) 2NT response is invitational (10-12hcp + stopper) 3♠ response is often pre-emptive (weak with good spades) 3NT response is 13hcp with double stopper 4♠ response is 13+ with an excellent suit 2♥ bid is also 13+ (may be directional asking) Others may disagree, but this is a reasonably safe approach - which has been proved to work, and should not end in disaster All of the above assumes that the double was minimum, but not sub-minimum. A take-out double is expected to show opening values, shortage in enemy suit and support (or tollerance) for all unbid suits.... unless doubler is very strong (16+) Tony

hehe the agreement is playable even if you disclose it. OTOH opps may assume that you adhere to that style so if you don't you'd better disclose as well :) I am so pleased that you saw the humour. Far too many fail to recognise the English SOH (Python/Fawlty Towers/Red Dwarf) I give myself a big LOL Tony :lol:

I totally agree, but without this undisclosed partnership agreement, I still prefer the old-fashioned methods I freely admit to being old-school, but my statement does hold water If partner chooses to make a takeout double, and then bid again, with inadequate values, then that is his problem and not mine With deepest respect Tony

Rule #1 - Trust your partner Tony Because you might not have a spade fit. On over 90% of hands, doubler has shown spades. If he does not have spades, then that is his problem, not mine... without spades he must have compensating values in the minors. Regardless, I will trust him, until I get evidence to the contrary Tony Edit: Bidding twice with inadequate values shows a lack of respect for your partner's judgement. To maintain partnership harmony, you should always double-then-pass

Aceless, balance, no rebid..... I pass I would expect the majority to open. I hope they all get too high Tony

I would expect partner to bid again in the pass-out seat. It is seriously bad bridge to allow opponents to play 2♥ when we have a known spade fit and both sides have 20 points or so Had I opened 1♠, partner should be happy to bid 2♠, so why pass now when I have shown opening values, heart shortage and a spade suit? Rule #1 - Trust your partner Tony

It is dangerous for doubler to bid twice with a minimum hand. He has described his hand already, so should leave the decision to partner. Double-then-pass shows a minimum. Never bid twice with a weak hand unless partner forces. Double-then-bid always shows extra strength I would not be timid as responder, jumping to 2♠ has merit with 10 total points, 8 losers and good Spades Tony

Quote "You continue with transfers. " I have seen the bid made many times showing both majors, but not showing a maximum. Perhaps this is the problem. 1NT-2♣-2NT-3♠(trf)-4♥ going 1 down was bad when opener was minimum Tony

Love the hand and the signal It is much easier for you to teach GiB to lead partner's suit than it is for us poor mortals to teach our human partners to do likewise Tony :lol:

Because LHO may have 14hcp and RHO may have 10hcp, and you are vulnerable? There is no such thing as "protective" bidding after 1NT-p-p Bidding 2♣ may work, but it could be a total disaster Also, if 1NT is failing, you are giving RHO the opportunity to escape to 2♦ Toss a coin and then decide Tony

1. I prefer to give this guy the benefit of the doubt when he says "but ı dont know why? what can ı do? help please " 2. I did my research, Did you? I examined Pasamo's hand record and can find no evidence of any problem His/her last excursion on bbo was as a sub in tourney #7398 where the final 3 hands were played out, completing the tournament and finishing 75th in section 2 with 36.77% There is no evidence of table-hopping etc, so unless there was a problem in this tournament, which we will never discover, then I have assumed innocent till proved guilty. I do not think that I am being naive. I doubt that the bad guys actually read these forums, but if they do they should be forced to wear black hats so we can identify them Tony Added: The situation seems to have been resolved. Pasamo is wearing a white hat and his bbo membership has been restored. He is back with us, bidding 7NT with gusto :)

I normally have 1430 on my profile, but immediately change it to match my partner's profile. This caused a problem on one hand. A bug crept in and my partner only saw 1430, while both opponents saw the new 0314 Needless to say, it all ended in disaster Tony >reaches for Prozac< :)

This is the kind of treatment (I mean 2NT for both Majors) that goes along with 'Stayman doesn't go out before 8 o'clock' (it sounds better in Spanish) and the reason why some LOL's are amazed when I put down dummy on a 2M contract with 7 or less HCP's after a 1NT opening. It's not that bad an agreement when you only stayman to invite to game or better... Rescue Stayman, Drop-dead Stayman and Stayman in Doubt are all reasonably well known. 1NT-2♣-2(any)-3♣ was also used as sign-off. 2♣ is used as a general range-enquiry by some, not promising a 4cM Responding 2NT in an attempt to show both majors is illogical, and gives information to opponents. And how do you continue? 1NT-2♣-2NT-3♠ Does this show hearts or spades? Is it forcing or sign-off or invitational? Bidding 2NT in this way with pick-up partners is reckless Tony

This is why I always try to adjust the board and then find a sub to play the next hand. If this is not possible, then the director should review the play for you. Dumping a new player in the declarer seat, in the middle of a hand, and letting them sink or swim is very poor directing Welcome to the Forums Tony

Only in the context of a 2 level response by an unpassed hand We use the "Rule of 14" to determine if a hand is strong enough to respond at the 2 level. HCP+Length longest suit >= 14 This is a good rule of thumb And there is such a thing as "Modern Acol" http://www.acolatbbo.org.uk/sundries/stdengmodacol2006.pdf Tony

I do respect your opinion, and will be happy to explain my reason for giving this controversial advice. It seems obvious that OP has absolutely no idea as to why he/she was banned. It is also obvious that many honest players have their own reasons for creating alternate identities. I suggested that OP used a new identity that was as close as possible to the original, to be seen to be as honest as possible (under the circumstances) All identities are linked to one person/laptop, any bbo yellow can check this easily. Abusive players cannot hide for long behind multiple IDs, unless playing from intenet cafes etc We will never know why OP was banned, but it is clear that this player is honest, and is likely to have connection problems, or similar. There is a huge difference between this and serious abuse. If OP continues to encounter connection problems, then I suggest trying a new Internet Service Provider Tony Edit: After re-registering as Pasamo2, immediately contact any Yellow to ask for help