ASkolnick

3N. I have extras, but no fit. If partner can eventually support clubs. I will move on. When he bids 3D, he rates to have at best 2C, but more likely 1C so where am I going.

I saw the answer and I would still double and bid diamonds. If partner has the stopper, he can bid NT. If he has nothing, 4D is OK. I move one of his clubs to somewhere else, and 5D looks pretty good. So, I would have no regrets being in 5 Diamonds.

I think everyone here was missing the point of the article. It's not a matter of what the best method is, but is it OK to teach alternate methods. This is not to do instead of the methods they are currently doing, but say they are other ways to solve the problem I think parents should supplement there kids education, since school is not the only place of learning. You learn at home, playing with friends, on computers, and yes even by watching TV. I have a background in secondary school mathematics and once had an educational teacher say you couldn't learn things from the TV. So I posed the question, "who knows the preamble to the constitution?". The only ones who seemed to know it were the ones who learned "School House Rock". So, I think it is important to broaden learning. The math problem is easy since I can say "you can either solve it via method A or via Method B". Neither method is wrong, it is just a different approach you can take. The problem will occur, when the two methods are in direct conflict with each other "Creationism (Intelligent Design) from Religious School vs Evolution (Public School). My son has had the Religious school background, but not the public school background (He is only 6). That is the time when I will have the issues. But the problem of concepts versus rote skills, it is sort of teaching someone to run before they can walk. No matter what you do, you still need the basic building blocks of math, reading, and writing before you can move forward.

I'll be dumb. I have no problem with the finesse, but shouldn't I play on hearts first, pitching a spade. If an opponent happens to have JTx of hearts, I need 0 finesses.

Here is our precision auction: 1♣-2♣ (5 clubs, GF, 8+ points) 2♦* (Asking)-3♣ (Shortness) 3♦* (Where)-3NT* (Diamonds) 4♥* (Puppet Term, RKC for clubs)-4NT (0 or 3 KC) OK, he could have QC, and does not have AH. Probably no points in diamonds. KQ Spades QJ Clubs. K Spades QJ Hearts Q Clubs KQ Spades I bid 6♣

You see, this is where I disagree with many people. You did absolutely nothing unethical or wrong. If your only shot is a 2% chance to make the finals, you are entitled to play for that 2% shot even if it means 98% of the time you are going to fail. As for affecting other pairs, very simple rules: If one bad call/bad rule/bad board causes the difference between placing and not placing, don't put yourself into that position in the first place. If a team on the last day of football needs to beat a team by 40 points to have any chance to go to the playoffs, they should: a) On side kick. :rolleyes: Go for two instead of the extra point every time. And the team who may lose out by this team doing it or another team getting in. Oh well. Win more games next time. The opposite of the coin is also If you are already in, don't take any chances. That may mean not competing for a partial since you may go for a number instead and an average minus could get you in.

I currently play it as 4th suit and up as transfers. It does seem to get you the best of both worlds.

I'm sorry, but why shouldn't we teach them rules of the game? And in clubs, the director is part of restoring the equity of the game. When my son first learns how to play baseball and starts running down the 3rd base line, isn't it important to tell him "You need to run the other way". It however does not mean he needs to be out for running out of the baseline. Another baseball analogy, sorry, is explain to the opponents that it is like the batter checking with the 3rd base umpire if he swung? Most of the time, absolutely nothing happened. If however, something happened, the 3rd base umpire will make a call.

Lexlogan, I did the simulation since I had an argument with my partner on whether to bid 3m with 3-4 in the minors or bid your minor. You were actually more likely to find a fit bidding 2N Scrambling to 3 of a minor. This was actually a surprise to me. However, 5-4 I don't see why you shouldn't bid your 5 card minor since it assures you of a fit in a minor.

jtfan, would you like to know scores of forfeits in various sports: Baseball: 9-0 not infinite Football: 2-0 not infinite Basketball: 2-0 not infinite. although more points can be scored. The reason to make scores 18 or (average) of there better is to insure fairness. If not, one could theoretically throw a match, just to allow another team to win. They still could do that, but the differential is the same. This is really no different than awarding A+ to the non-offending side. In a matchpoint event, you don't award a team a top. However, the other side of the equation should always be 0 for a forfeit.

Actually, I always thought of Full Contact Bridge. 4 players start equidistant from a deck of 52 cards. You each need to claim 13 cards and sit back in your seats.

I think the auction you perpetrated looks quite reasonable.

1) It needs to be forcing. I think stopping at 4 of a minor on a dime in general is a losing proposition. 2) 4H can be temporizing indicating heart control. If he has the diamond hand, he can bid 5D or pass a 4S bid or raise 4S to 5S. If he has the diamond hand, he wil just rebid diamonds.

I happen to agree with JLall. If I am going to take a call, 2H. Why? Because I have hearts. Ok, let me look at suit quality? Where are all my points? In hearts, OK let's bid that. Now, if you want to say I am too weak to make a 2/1 red overcall, I can live with that as well. I just hate the "usual" response, well double shows flexibility. Everyone seems to forget the other side of that equation. When partner doesn't overcall, what is the right level to compete too? How am I going to bid 3/2 when I have only 3 hearts now? 1S-x-2S. No guarantee of an eight card fit. Jxxx-Kxx-Axxx-xx

On misclicks, I am sorry, I don't understand why you can't tell the opponents. Not saying you shouldn't notify the TD as well, but it could be a time limitation thing. 1) You give no information to your partner if you bid appropriately 2) Your opponents will be able to do what they need to do more accurately. Remember, there are "virtual screens" blocking your information from your partner. I have done this many times also when I fail to hit the alert button, I private chat with the opponent and say "alert". Never had a problem.

If you are looking for a hand, I would guess it is most likely a 1-4-2-6 hand without a diamond stopper, possible 1-5-1-6 as well. How about? A AKxx xx AKQJxx or A AQJx xx AKQJxx I would not open these 3 loser hands 1C. How else am I supposed to bid? And I can't see why it can't be passed? If partner has no diamond control, what else would you like them to do?

I happen to be in JDonn's camp. People worry too much about things like that. I can tell you since I don't make my house a complete disinfectant bubble, I barely get sick and my kids get sick almost never. If food hits the floor for one second, what does it matter? A little mold is Ok, as long as it still tastes good.

I think 2S is a fine call. I have good spades and a hand that can almost be treated as a 3-5-4-1 hand. It does not stop me from any other contract. If he raises to 4S it is probably not a bad contract anyway.

OK, I'll bite. I bid 4C, slam try. 1) If I am going to bid game, I might as well show extras which I have. 2) As for partner showing a minimum, that I think is incorrect. He was not forced to bid after the double. You can re-open with a redouble, so partner has some values (6-10) HCP for his bid. If he has KH, AS you can be OK.

2♥. I think too many people get carried away with flexibility and underestimate the value of knowing how many cards. I get into this debate with one of my partner's all the time. He doubles on 5-5-0-3 or 4-6-1-2 type hands. Then when it comes to high level decisions, I double because I think my tricks are cashing, but they don't. It is always easier to bid the suit now and reopen with a double when called for.

As strange as it sounds, we play both (transfers and non-transfers, known as two way transfers) over our weak NT system: For the most part (with one big exception) is either a transfer to drop dead in or natural and at least Inv+ values. So 1N-P- 2C Stayman 2D This one is overloaded. Responder bids 2H. a) Drop dead in hearts or (Pass) :) invitational in spades or (2S) c) Invitational in clubs or (3C) d) Weak or Strong with both minors (2N, bids cheapest suit and you move with big minor) 2H shows a) Drop dead in spades B) Hearts Invitational 5 cards(rebid 2N) c) Hearts and another (could just be hearts and slam interest) game forcing (anything else) 2S Spades and another. Forcing 2N Shows either clubs or 6 card suit Inv 3C Forced 3X 6 card suit and Invitational 3C Shows Diamonds or Clubs and another Forcing 3D 3X This is another. I have found this gets everything in. The one disadvantage is super-acceptance with 4. We have come up with ways to do it, but everyone kept forgetting so we scrapped it.

I actually think the most likely shape is 63(xx) with game values and at least one shortness (4-0,3-1,1-3,0-4 all possible). If partner is holding a 5 card heart suit, you want to ruff with the short trump side. However, once partner established he does not have a 5 card heart suit, he thinks spades will play best.

Just for clarification, I was asking about the responses, I am sure the opener is legal.

Pass. Keep your plus. Looks like a club runout may be very profitable.

I think splintering with a K is much worse. As stated before, secondary honors become valuable holdings. A stiff A is a little different because it could almost be treated as a void (same amount of losers). If you don't have cover cards in the outside, a slam would be just as bad.