vuroth

Are we talking about a 6-10 HCP range for 2 spades? If so, this seems awfully close. Granted, it meets the rule of 20, but the defense is weak, and the J♣ is a bit iffy. Not sure what I'd bid, but I think I can tolerate 1♠ or 2♠ here, while ♠AJT98x ♥x ♦QT8x ♣Ax Seems like a clear 1♠

Wow, no idea why people are being so harsh on Thor. Thor's been a much more complete rider than Cavendish, and deserved the green even before yesterday's brilliance. Wiggins is a complete unknown quantity - to others, to his coach, to himself. It's one thing to be able to climb well, it's quite another to be able to handle violent accelerations on a mountain, and quite another to do repeated climbs. Wiggins showed yesterday that he's just not up to accelerations on steep inclines. To be fair, though, the others have years of experience on him on this - even the younger riders like Andy Schleck. I also agree that Contador made a tactical error yesterday. He clearly spent a lot of time looking for Kloden after he dropped him. Contador expected to drop at least one Schleck, but failed to do so. In a way, it was a lot like his attack on Arcalis - it looked impressive, but didn't win him much, and may have cost him with his team.

Sastre got caught out by the acceleration on Vervier. After that, he was either the fastest or second fastest guy up the mountain, after Contador. I was surprised to see him get caught out again on Petit Saint Bernard. After all, Sastre won last year using his uphill acceleration. I've PVR'd today's stage, so I may be a bit out of date.

Just saw this - apparently LRO has some photos of the landing sites. http://blogs.discovermagazine.com/badastro...-imaged-by-lro/

I have to agree completely with kenberg. Science class should teach the scientific process, or at least more strongly emphasize it. One of the key features that separates science from dogma is that it is generally acceptable in science to question existing ideas and theories. New evidence WILL change prevailing scientific thought - it happens all the time.

You make it sound like it's an almost impossible task. Very discouraging.

The reason that I think it DOES show a failing of eduction is that, at the surface, science would seem to ask you to drink the kool-aid, same as everyone else. If you have the education and drive to look deeper, though, you'll see that the scientific arguments dovetail, while the conspiracy theories tend to crack. Anyone who blindly trusts science, "the establishment" or the conspiracy theories do themselves a profound disservice. In this day and age, knowledge just isn't that difficult to come by.

Apparently Evans said that yesterday was his worst day ever in the TdF. Apparently that would INCLUDE the crash that might have cost him the tour last year? Sorry I missed this thread for so long. I love the tour dearly, and have only missed a few minutes so far. Armstrong couldn't hold anyone's wheel at the end of the Vervier climb. Sastre has a better chance to win than he does. V

[hv=d=e&v=n&n=sqth87daqt852cak8&s=saj9haq9642dj9cj5]133|200|Scoring: MP 1♥ 2♦ 2♥ ...[/hv] According to Thurston, 2♥ can be a 5 card suit. Should North bid 2NT or 3♦? How will N/S find the 8 card heart fit, instead of winding up in 3NT? I couldn't find the continuations in Thurston. Thanks. V

Citation was given above. ... As for hidden text, it's generally used to avoid spoiling the thread for everyone else. The idea is that you post your own answer, but nobody can accidentally peek it while they're working through the problem themselves. If they actively try to read it, then that's different. V

Here's the link to mbodell's line, and the problem the OP is suggesting. Doubt that works, so here's the LINK [hv=d=s&v=n&n=shdkjt9c8&w=shqt62dc5&e=shkj9d87c&s=sh7dqcqt9]399|300|West leads Q♥[/hv] FYI, to the OP, use the mouse to select mbodell's ENTIRE post, especialy the space between the symbols. Not immediately obvious if you've never seen it before.

It was indeed the presence of quantitative 5NT that was getting me confused.

Believe me, you could fill an encyclopedia with all the standard treatments that I don't know. Thanks. V

Choice of grands, I assume?

Does 5♠, 16HCP make sense? You pose a good question.

I think I bid something like this the other day. It's called the ohheckwhatamidoingin3insteadof2 convention, though maybe if you don't wind up declarer it's called something different. :)

Agree with hrothgar. If things get hairy later on, I would never believe that this hand held so much defense if it opened 2♥. Pass now.

Bridgehands.com has two approaches for AQxxx opp Txx. Actually, it has 2 lines for 5 tricks, 2 lines for 4 tricks, and 2 lines for 3 tricks. This is certainly beyond my ability to optimize at the table. I suspect I'd just finesse the K and hope.

Oops. :angry:

Losing the AK♠, A♥ and K♣, right?

Do I need to

Heh - I ALMOST listed editing posts as a hobby. :P

Congrats. Didn't read the news post at first, so I couldn't figure out what people were talking about wrt to the beach etc. :P

Me too. I'm a total hack, though. Theoretically, it's a launching point for my being a casual triathlon/distance runner. I'll never win a race, but it's fun and keeps me in shape and motivated. V

same