Walddk

I agree that 5NT most likely will be interpreted as a grand slam invite for diamonds. If we decide to bid over 5♦, what about 5♠ as a 2-suiter then? That way we get all possible slams into the frame. Just a thought and nothing I have an agreement about at this point. Roland

Frances has summed it up; it's a complete guess. 5♦ might be high enough, and on other perfectly normal 5♦ overcalls, we have a small or grand slam. This problem falls into the category of guessing rather than of judgement. Roland

Mike, look at this .... 1♥ pass ? Everybody can tell their partners if they have a limit or GF+ raise (you too I assume), but ..... 1♥ 1♠ ? So the simple overcall of 1♠ has put you off? You give up and let 2♠ be either limit or GF!? Sorry, I don't understand why you accept to be worse off than you would have been without the non space consuming overcall. I remember how Sabine Auken, as a BBO vugraph commentator, once said: "It's damaging to your further investigations if the cue bid can be a little of everything". I couldn't agree more. Roland

Without revealing how I cast my vote, I would like to point out that 2♠ as limit+ is bad. I think it's paramount to be able to distinguish between a limit raise and a GF hand. One way of playing this is to let the cue bid be limit and keep 2NT as the GF raise. In other words: ignore the overcall and respond 2NT as you would have done without interference. Reverse it if you like, but don't let 2♠ contain it all. What do I do with 11-12, no heart fit and spade stopper(s) you may ask. Just double and bid NT next. Finally, 2♦ is clearly better than a heart raise at this point. I want 4+ cards if I support to the 3-level or higher. Roland

Sounds good enough to me. A 68% slam is much more than I can usually hope for :P . Let the scientists play in 4-3 fits at slam level if they want. Roland

The organisers of the event think that it would be inappropriate to have this broadcast shortly after Mark Molson passed away, so it will be rescheduled for later. Exactly when it will go ahead we don't know at this point, but we will keep you posted. Roland

Double before partner gets strange ideas about "saving". I'll lead ♦K and take as much as I can against 5♥. I can't rule out that on some miraculous layout 5♥ is a make, but I doubt it. Roland

I don't disagree with 5♣, but it surprises me that Justin would not take 3♦ as a fit-bid by a passed hand. Which passed hand that didn't open 2♦ or 3♦ would bid a natural 3♦ now without a club safety net if partner has a misfit? Roland

Yes, tragic news indeed, and we are all very saddened. I was in touch with Fred yesterday in Albuquerque, and a decision regarding the broadcast will be made when he returns to LV on Monday. Fred was shaken up, because Mark Molson was a dear friend of his. I'm sure you will approve of whatever decision we think is appropriate under the circumstances. Roland

Those of you who were present during our broadcasts from England and the Netherlands over the weekend will have noticed how smoothly it went. It doesn't surprise me one bit because I know the people who organised this. Nevertheless, there is every reason to compliment the entire staff for setting up an impeccable show. Thanks a lot to Steve Eginton, Simon Cope and Michael Clark in England, and Onno Eskes, Monique van de Sande, Lothar Kuipers and Jacco Hop in the Netherlands! Roland

1. No. 2. No. 3. Which UI? West bid East card's with his 3♠, but there is no rule against that. Adjusting the score is wrong and shows that the TD in question is incompetent. Roland

Paul Soloway has been a BBO member for a long time and occasionally you can watch him and Bob Hamman practising bidding at the Partnership Table. It often happens before a major event, domestically as well as internationally. Roland

The time schedule has now been finalised and will be posted on our vugraph web page shortly. 10 segments of 16 boards. The timetable is as follows: 1: Thursday, January 26 at 18.30 New York, 23.30 London, 00.30 Friday Paris, 10.30 am Friday Sydney. 2: Friday, January 27 at 15.30 New York, 20.30 London, 21.30 Paris, 7.30 am Saturday Sydney. 3: Saturday, January 28 at 15.30 New York, 20.30 London, 21.30 Paris, 7.30 am Sunday Sydney. 4: Sunday, January 29 at 15.30 New York, 20.30 London, 21.30 Paris, 7.30 am Monday Sydney. 5: Monday, January 30 at 17.00 New York, 22.00 London, 23.00 Paris, 9.00 am Tuesday Sydney. 6: Tuesday, January 31 at 14.30 New York, 19.30 London, 20.30 Paris, 6.30 am Wednesday Sydney. 7: Wednesday, February 1 at 14.30 New York, 19.30 London, 20.30 Paris, 6.30 am Thursday Sydney. 8: Thursday, February 2 at 14.30 New York, 19.30 London, 20.30 Paris, 6.30 am Friday Sydney. 9: Thursday, February 2 at 18.30 New York, 23.30 London, 00.30 Friday Paris, 10.30 am Friday Sydney. 10: Friday, February 3 at 18.30 New York, 23.30 London, 00.30 Saturday Paris, 10.30 am Saturday Sydney. ..... Team USA: Bob Hamman, Bobby Wolff, Eric Rodwell, Jeff Meckstroth, Richard Freeman, Nick Nickell. Team Canada: Eric Kokish, Joey Silver, Fred Gitelman, George Mittelman, Boris Baran, Mark Molson. ..... As predicted, it was impossible to make it convenient for all time zones, but I think the organisers did a fine job by finding time slots that won't conflict with our live broadcasts. Take notes; it's too good to miss! The 12 players have now been invited to offer their commentary for the occasion. Let's hope that many of them can find the time to tell the audience why they did that and not that. Roland

Not true. Only until you press F6. Try it, and your screen becomes as clean as your windows (clean windows, that is). Roland

And what's wrong with inviting The Abbot and his team for the Camrose? Roland

how did you get to be so popular? :-P nickf sydney He didn't. He chose them as friends; you can't tell if they want to be if asked :lol: Roland

http://www.bridgebase.com/help/english/key...dshortcuts.html

In most bidding examples for instance there is no such thing as the truth. You can ask the expert what he/she thinks is the best method, but all he/she can do is to tell you what works best for him/her, and that is not necessarily the "truth". Let's take a basic example, as it occurred in the vugraphed Camrose matches over the weekend: 1♣ - 1♥ 2NT Question 1: What should 2NT mean? 18-19 balanced, non forcing? Or should it be ambiguous: 18-19 balanced or a 3-4 level heart raise not suitable for a 3♥ or 4♥ rebid (hence forcing)? Question 2: How should one proceed from there, depending on what 2NT shows? There are at least 4-5 different continuations altogether. One expert will tell you that "A" is best, and the next likes "B" better. The third dislikes "A" and "B" and suggests "C" .... and so on and so forth. Which expert should one believe then? The answer is: all of them! Just because they don't agree, it doesn't mean that they are not right. All of them could very well be. Like everything else, it will depend on one's partnership agreement and, consequently, what you are most comfortable with. Roland

It has been a tradition not to use screens after they were introduced in 1974. The matches between the 5 participating teams have always been regarded as "friendlies" with a congenial atmosphere at the table. The same applies to the Lady Milne Trophy (the equivalent event for women). I agree with Dave Thompson in the sense that it's about time that they abandon that tradition and do what all others do in important international (and many national) events: use screens. With this said, I don't think you should hold your breath for this to happen in Great Britain overnight :P Roland

Planning, well trained operators and a stable internet connection and you are bound to succeed. I couldn't agree more; our broadcast from Dublin was the best I have seen for a long time. Congratulations to Norbert van Woerkom, Willem Mevius and the entire staff on site. Magnificent, nothing less! Roland

4.5.5 has made my day, and many days after this. Finally, we got rid of the bubbles that obstructed your view (auction using hand diagram) when a friend logged in. Thanks Fred! Roland

I did not have the imagination to contemplate that anyone would open 1 of a minor. I thought the only problem was if this is a 1♠-opening or a pass. I do not play canape openings in my natural systems. Roland

Can't understand why some think that they must punish partner for doing what you asked him/her to do: take your double out. "Thanks, partner;your reward for taking my double out is that you are going to play 4♥ whether you like it or not". ♥Qxxx as suggested by fluffy is not enough. I think 4♥ is a serious overbid. I also think 3♥ is an overbid. Roland

Certainly, 2♥. Roland

"Chag Sameach" is Hebrew for "Happy Festival". "Chanukah" is the Festival of Lights, a celebration of the victory of the Maccabees and the rededication of the Jerusalem Temple. It also commemorates the miracle of the oil that burned for 8 days instead of the expected 1. The Chanukah "menorah" (candle holder) is called a "Chanukiyah". It has nine candle holders. There are eight candles, one for each night of Chanukah. The ninth is called the "Shamash" and is used to light the other eight candles. The Shamash is lit first and is then used to light the other candles. The candles are placed in the "Chanukiyah" from right to left. This year Chanukah will start on the eve (sunset) of December 25 and last until January 2. Hope you are a little wiser now, Alain :P Roland