ASkolnick

Yes, he is correct there is always one right strategy for every hand, however that strategy is dependent on what partner holds. So, if I choose to double on these cards and partner sits and we take them for 1100, it was the right strategy for THIS HAND. However, since we do not know what partner holds, the best we can do is work with incomplete information and say, if we were take action X, on average, would this be the best option. Obviously, action X may have negative consequences on this hand, even if on the other 90% of the hands it would work out.

I happen to like playing against pairs who play a polish club. Because as much as there may be theoretical advantages to uninterrupted auctions, I noticed that for many pairs, if you play a slightly off-kiltered overcall structure (we play xfers at the one level, suction two and above), many pairs do not know what to do. But I always think that the real problem is the ACBL's opinion to ban as many conventions as necessary. But the only way to get exposed to these conventions/systems is by allowing people to play against them.

OK. Regardless of if you are playing feature. 2S-2N- 4D (I am 6-5 with a self sufficient suit)-4N 6D (1 with a void)-P

No. This is the same dumb liberal reporting that takes a meaningless statement out of context. He may be part of several Real Estate deals that he is unaware of or maybe he understands that answering the question will be panned no matter how he decides to answers it. Let's give him possible answers: 1) I only own 1 house. To relate to the simple man. Press finds out he is involved in several real estate deals and they say he lied. 2) 2 houses. 1 winter and 1 summer home. They will see he is elitest and can't relate to the common man. 3) 5 houses. Several are part of Real Estate Deals. He is too greedy and just wants money and power.

Or if you play 4 suit transfers with suoer acceptance and Bid'em if you like them. You can respond 1N-2N- Transfer to diamonds. If partner does not like diamonds, he bids 3C which you can pass since he rates to have clubs then.

As for the age requirement for gymnasts, I believe that was a recent addition. I believe it started after Bella Lugosi had Kerri Shrugg doing gymnastics on a sprained ankle. So it is very possible that Nadia Comenici (Probably spelled wrong) was under the new age limit.

Pass. We have the points, but we may not have a plus score with no fit. One could argue double at matchpoints, but partner can take the action too. I have a dead minimum for my bid.

I actually go with a split ruling. NS should get a procedural penalty for failure to disclose information. EW should have their score stand. West overbid slightly. Probably trying to preempt with a big fit. East has nothing to duble with. No spades are cashing, maybe 1H and where are the rest of his values. Let's assume west held more points, most would be in spades and would be a singleton.

I actually think both stats could be right. I think there is a difference between a squeeze possibility and a squeeze. Let's take a one-sided squeeze, one could say that a squeeze possibility existed on this hand if LHO holds both threat cards. However, it is not actually a squeeze unless LHO does hold both threat cards. So, there could be a 2-1 type ratio of possibility to actual squeezes.

1S-2C 2H-3H 4C-4D (We cue bid kings) 4H-4N 5H-5N 6C-6D (K of clubs), I have stuff in diamonds 7N North knows of 5S-3H-2C-3D (Has to be at least KQ now).

Well, the one auction they are missing is the: 1C-1S 2D auction. I would tend to play 2H is the weakest action since the 4th suit is very much an unlikely place to play. When you don't have room, then 2N becomes the sign off. 2S could clearly be the right spot and you can get there. Parter may have Hx and have a nice 5-2 fit you could get on the two level.

Minor suit stayman only works if you tend to be 5-4+ in the minors because you don't usually bid it otherwise, but what if you only have a single 4 card minor? Many times the 12th trick may need to be a ruff in either hand. I am not saying you should play this. Also, not saying you need to respond Aces. Also, have no problem with blasting if that is your style. My point is that all of these are reasonable treatments and no one should be shot for any of them.

No, if they play a canape (4 card major before longer minor) style, he cannot bid 1D, he must bid 1H since 1D may deny a 4 card major. Once he decides that his hand is semi balanced and that Qx for clubs is best from his side, he can decide to bid 1N. 1D-1S-1N may indicate he does not have a 4 card heart suit, but I don't know if it is what they play, but it certainly is a reasonable treatment.

We just wanted to play this system once, not because it is a good system, but because you can play a semi-forcing pass system, and it is GCC legal.

I would not play this as a reverse, but it depends what you play as a negative double. We play it as 2 places to play, focused on the major, so either H&C,H&D. Also, what do you open if you are 4-4 in the minors? If you always open 1C (Many people do), then how would you get to 2D to play or is this not possible?

I actually disagree with the responding Aces to quantatative to be shot. There are plenty of good reasons to do it, assuming that it is not required to respond Aces to quantative, I know 2 reasonable methods to play over 2N-4N. 1) Bid your minor. (5 card,4 card whatever method) Sometimes you need to play in a suit for your 12th trick. 2) Shiow Aces. Let's take 1N (15-17). I am holding a good 16 point hand with some T,9's. (1N-4N). OK. I also have a good 16, wouldn't be a good idea to make sure I am not off 2 Aces before bidding to slam even we both have max's. Now, with a minimum in either case, you should pass.

The problem with the 1NT-3NT-6NT is that there would be no penalty if it is just bad bidding. The problem occurs if there is a conversation off-line saying "What do you have?" , "I have the maximum 17", "Good, I have 15", now let's bid one more.

I'm sorry, but I think you have to double (or 3N, but my stiff club K would concern me), and either bid spades twice or just play this in NT. They can go too easily for 50 a trick when you probably have game whether it is in 3N or 4 Spades (I don't believe they have them)

I had this conversation once with my partner. Since someone played the wide range NT. Instead of saying "ST includes anything with 15 in it", we said if the total is over 27.5, its strong, less its weak. Not saying 27.5 is the right or wrong number, but the point is make the agreement on the total, not any end condition.

I happen to agree with JLALL, not Mycroft. I do think that Mike Rosenberg was acting in the best interest of the game, but I do not think it is his/their decision to make the ruling (or even suggest it) 1) You have a director, that is what they do. I don't even see a problem reporting your own infraction if you choose to do so. 2) There is a difference between a point of law (Mycroft) and a judgement call. The law states you can't lose tricks impossible to lose or you can't win tricks that are impossible to win. This is because it is a point of fact. As for hesitation, this now goes down to judgement. Now, a) If it was pointed out to the director, let him rule. That's what they are paid for. ;) If it was not pointed out to the director, there should be no adjustment. Why? Because it is the director's job to make the adjustments, not the players? It is also states that one does not have to bring attention to an infraction.

Although 4♥ would have worked, I disagree it was necessary. South clearly made a slam try by bidding 4♠, indicating a control, not a place to play, as mentioned 2♠ would have been bid. North has the A♥, which is obviously what is being looked for, so North can trot out whatever slam going bid he needs to. South can't move anywhere with a doubleton heart.

I disagree. The most likely holding of partner is 4-1-3-5. He chose to lead clubs, instead of spades. If equal length, spades makes more sense. the duck in diamonds, indicates partner has 3. So I am going to return a spade.

Not quite sure with what is wrong with 3N. 19 HCP, semi-balanced, heart stopper. Partner has an "expected" 7 count. Sure, you may struggle for tricks, but it is at least close. If your hand was Axxx, AQx,Axx,KJx, you would bid 3N. As for the one time a 0-7-6-0 hand chooses to make a 3H bid, I would not care.

Personally, reading or knitting, I wouldn't care about. However, headphones could be a problem. The problem you have with headphones is the same problem you have with any other communication device. It is possible that someone could be communicating with you. I have been on the side where a pair was caught cheating (and this was a money event), so the information cost us several places, so I understand why there may be issues.

Here is the only logic, I can draw: 1D-1S (Spades) 2C-2D (I have 3 Diamonds for you) 2H (I have a max, but am 1-4-3-5)-2S (Well, I have 6 spades, hopefully we have found a home)