NickRW

While I acknowledge the points various posters have made in this thread, I suggest we are digressing from the main thrust of the OP given that this is the N/B forum.

I wouldn't argue with Robson. Not because of who he is, but because he is right. If you want evidence Bird and Anthias (spelling?) wrote a book entirely based on simulations that said the same.

Prezunctly. This sort of thing was exactly what attracted me to the general strategy.

Effectively yes. We played opener's 2NT rebid as (17)18-19 and therefore GF. Consequently opener with a weak NT hand would have to find a lower rebid. And in which case responder was still in his/her own force. It is true that it requires significant thought and discussion. However I don't see the problems as particularly insurmountable. There are pros and cons to it.

That's a bit drastic. 1NT as a decent 14 to a bad 17 that includes 5M332 shapes, with 2/1 f2NT I found to be perfectly playable. Not perfect - but neither is 2/1 nor Acol.

It is certainly true that Blue Club methods include a 4NT general slam try - or it could be a sign off - or Blackie depending on context. It is also true that would be too complex for beginners and, indeed too complex for many more experienced players to adopt without extensive discussion. However, "Italian style" cues (showing 1st/2nd round controls interchangeably) are not a mandatory part of that, nor vice versa - they just commonly go together.

I knew the original X would attract some justifiable criticism :huh: Thanks for your other comments.

[hv=pc=n&s=sq2haj94dkjt7ct98&n=sj83hkt53d8543c42&d=e&v=b&b=10&a=1s(4%20card%20majors)dr]266|200[/hv] I've never read and can't find any decent literature on the auction 1x-dbl-redbl-? After a ridiculous 1♠xx plus a truly ugly amount, I figure it is about time partner and I learnt to handle this auction! North passed 1♠xx "because I don't have a bid and partner is still there and can make the decision". South passed "because North has made a penalty pass". Comments please

https://www.merriam-webster.com/words-at-play/pants-word-origin

1x 4 or 5 card majors according to choice 1NT weak or strong according to choice 2C Traditional 2M Acol 2 2NT 20-21bal 2D Strong only multi, say 22-23bal or Acol 2 in either minor

I'm not trying to defend or asking for criticism of the bidding system. I play it with this partner because he is comfortable with it. In fact, Blue Club actually seems to me to hold up quite well at teams, despite the age of the system.

Thanks, pretty much my exact thoughts at the table. I was just sanity checking. IMO P would have done better to simply call his ♦ as he would have without the interference, which would have avoided putting me on the spot, but that's another story.

Sadly, yes.

[hv=pc=n&n=sa2h9d9764ckq6432&d=e&v=b&b=10&a=p1c(17%2B)p1s(3%20controls%2C%20GF)2cd(TO)p]133|200[/hv] Imps Red/Red This is probably a stupid question, but was I an idiot to convert to penalties? 6D was on for 1300 odd, 2Cx was -4 for 1100.

One thing to be prepared for is 'misleading' partner. For example Bird and Athias reccomend doubleton leads quite highly, whereas some human players often seem to have an aversion to them and do not enter the possibility you might have made such a lead into their thinking. So you can end up in the spectacularly cr@p position of improving your leads and worsening your results as a consequence.

Methods are not to blame, partner's eyesight should be looked into

Hand 1 I probably wouldn't have opened your partner's hand and I think, if I had, I wouldn't have made the forcing pass, but rebid 3C to show the sub minimum. Hand 2 I wouldn't have opened your partner's hand and not Xing 2H is unforgivable. P.S. I don't think you should be worrying about system in these cases, but judgement

I was attempting to make a general point, not something personal to you or anyone else for that matter. Perhaps the miscommunication is mine - I find it difficult to talk to folks from the US on the subject of gun control. Even the more moderate types speak from a paradigm that I simply don't recognise.

One specific layout proves nothing. It is clear that everything could work on some layouts and be disastrous on others.

Many (in many countries and not just libertarians and teenagers) make the general mistake of "I have the right/freedom to..." without realising that does not include the right to infringe on the rights of others. Further, even if the rights of others are not directly and necessarily infringed, it is nevertheless legitimate for a society to consider whether those rights should be licensed or restricted in some fashion.

Not that sequence in the version I played. The 2NT rebid was a good 17+ and GF obviously. 1H-2D;2H-2N would have worked.

Why? I've played IJS in a system where 2/1 was F2NT but not GF just fine. The sequence 1M-2m-something-3m then becomes GF.

D2

Less guns around = less opportunities where they might be used. Duh! The fact that you even have to ask is symptomatic of the deep blindness in American society.