chasetb

Playing against the robots, on certain hands in the 8-10 range I have raised partner with Ax, Kx, or even Qx during competition, and it tends to work out pretty well, especially if we are on defense. I don't like the idea of it when it goes 1M - Pass to us.

I disagree with Mike in that the 20% of voters that aren't for one particular party are low-informed voters. I will agree with the fact that 80+% (closer to 85, really) will only vote for one party no matter what. Heck, most people don't realize that when you go to vote, you DO NOT HAVE TO VOTE ON EVERY OFFICE OR ISSUE! I have worked at the polls on Election Day, which most people don't realize falls on the first Tuesday after the first Monday in November (so between the 2nd and the 8th). Now this part gets a little controversial - I wish I was able right now to find the places I got my info. The people who really decide many elections (such as President) is the white male (at least historically, in the near future the Latino population will be ). African-Americans overwhelmingly vote Democrat - for President, if it's under 85%, it's pretty shocking. A 2006 article (I thought it was Five Thirty-Eight, but can't find it) had that breakdown. Women also tend to be Democrat voters, and don't fluctuate too much. Because of numbers, it comes down to the white guy, and just 3 percentage points is usually enough to swing one way. With the rapidly increasing Latino vote, they do lean towards the Democratic party, but I think it's very much up for grabs. I am technically a registered Republican, but only because they needed more Republican judges at the polls, and I made an extra $25 per election by being the 'presiding judge' for a precinct. I fall somewhere as a conservative libertarian, who doesn't identify with any one party. I greatly dislike Feinstein, Hilary, Obama, Biden, and Reid, as well as Perry, both younger Bushes, and Boehner (who is from my state). I don't care much for Santorum or Huckabee, and I admit to being pretty uninformed about the others you mentioned, particularly Carson. I do think that Hilary is an elitist that's pretty far left, and though I wouldn't mind a female president, except for very few cases I would NEVER vote for her! I think I would rather President Obama get a third term than to see that happen...

Usually 4♥ leads to 4♠, but I would have bid it at the table, unless the field is so inept that most of them would only bid 3♥... and then I still bid 4. We have 8 hearts, and pretty good shape. Let the donks have the top board, it happens.

1.) I know it might be harder to program, but can you PLEASE make it so if GIB is overcalling with less than opening count, that it has a good suit? 2.) Having asked the first question, HOW can West pass the X, when partner easily could have a 7-8 HCP hand??? It looks to me like a GIB Basic issue to be fair, but it shouldn't be an issue. 3.) While I prefer on this hand for GIB to rebid 1NT, does it take suit quality into account when deciding between 2♣ and 1NT? [hv=sn=chasetb&s=S9HAJ973DT642CJ98&wn=Robot&w=SQJT5HQDAQ75CQT73&nn=Robot&n=SK8743HK86DK93C54&en=Robot&e=SA62HT542DJ8CAK62&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=1D%28Minor%20suit%20opening%20--%203+%20!D%3B%2011-21%20HCP%3B%2012-22%20total%20points%291S%28One-level%20overcall%20--%205+%20!S%3B%208-17%20HCP%3B%209-19%20total%20points%29D%28Negative%20double%20--%204+%20!H%3B%207+%20total%20points%29PPP&p=CKC8C3C4D8D2DAD3D5D9DJD4CAC9CTC5C6CJCQS3H6H5HAHQS9STSKSAHTH3S5H8D7DKS2DTH4HJSJHKDQS4S6D6H2H9C7S7S8C2H7SQ]400|300[/hv] 4.) Why doesn't GIB lead my suit back? [hv=sn=chasetb&s=SJ5HK72DKQ76543C3&wn=Robot&w=SK98743HT4DA8C864&nn=Robot&n=SA2HJ963DT9CQT972&en=Robot&e=SQT6HAQ85DJ2CAKJ5&d=e&v=e&b=6&a=1N%28notrump%20opener.%20Could%20have%205M.%20--%202-5%20!C%3B%202-5%20!D%3B%202-5%20!H%3B%202-5%20!S%3B%2015-17%20HCP%3B%2018-%20total%20points%292C%28Cappelletti%20-%20single%20suited%20--%2014-%20HCP%3B%292H!%28Jacoby%20transfer%20--%205+%20!S%29P2S%28Transfer%20completed%20to%20S%20--%202-5%20!C%3B%202-5%20!D%3B%202-5%20!H%3B%202-5%20!S%3B%2015-17%20HCP%3B%2018-%20total%20points%29PPP&p=C3C8CQCASTS5SKSADTD2D3DAD8D9DJDQH2H4H9HQSQSJS3S2S6DKS4CTCKD7C4C9CJD6C6C2C5D5S9C7HTH3HAH7H5HKS8H6S7HJH8D4]400|300[/hv] 5.) Why does GIB still play Inverted Minors by a passed hand? 6.) Why is GIB bidding a 3-card Spade suit here? [hv=sn=chasetb&s=ST84HQ72DKQ2CT643&wn=Robot&w=SQ65HKJ53DT9743CK&nn=Robot&n=SK73HA6DA85CQ9872&en=Robot&e=SAJ92HT984DJ6CAJ5&d=s&v=o&b=11&a=PP1C%28Minor%20suit%20opening%20--%203+%20!C%3B%2011-21%20HCP%3B%2012-22%20total%20points%29P1D%28One%20over%20one%20--%204+%20!D%3B%2011-%20HCP%3B%206-12%20tot%29P1N%283-5%20!C%3B%202-3%20!D%3B%202-3%20!H%3B%202-3%20!S%3B%2012-14%20HCP%29PP2H%284+%20!H%3B%2011-%20HCP%3B%2010-12%20total%20points%292S%284-5%20!C%3B%202-3%20!D%3B%202-3%20!H%3B%203%20!S%3B%2014-%20HCP%3B%2014+%20total%20points%3B%20partial%20stop%20in%20!S%29D%282-%20!H%3B%2013+%20HCP%3B%20biddable%20!S%3B%2016-%20total%20points%293C%283-6%20!C%3B%204-6%20!D%3B%202-5%20!H%3B%202-5%20!S%3B%2010-%20HCP%3B%29D%282%20!C%3B%204+%20!H%3B%2011-%20HCP%3B%2010-12%20total%20points%29PPP&p=HTHQHKHAD5D6DKD9D2D7DADJCQC5C3CKS6SKSAS4H9H2H3H6CAC6D4C2CJC4D3C8H8H7HJC9S3SJS8S5S9STSQS7DTD8H4DQCTH5C7S2]400|300[/hv]

[hv=sn=chasetb&s=SAT85HJ2D64CJ8732&wn=Robot&w=SQ42HAKQ983D98CK6&nn=Robot&n=SK763HT765DKQJT5C&en=Robot&e=SJ9H4DA732CAQT954&d=n&v=n&b=5&a=P1C%28Minor%20suit%20opening%20--%203+%20!C%3B%2011-21%20HCP%3B%2012-22%20total%20points%29P1H%28One%20over%20one%20--%204+%20!H%3B%206+%20total%20points%29D%28Two%20suit%20takeout%20--%205-%20!C%3B%204+%20!D%3B%205-%20!H%3B%204+%20!S%3B%2011-%20HCP%3B%2012%20total%20points%292C%28Opener%20rebids%20his%20C%20--%203-%20!H%3B%203-%20!S%3B%2011-15%20HCP%3B%20twice%20rebiddable%20!C%3B%2012-16%20total%20points%29P2D%284+%20!H%3B%206+%20total%20points%292H%28Takeout%20double%20--%202-%20!C%3B%204+%20!D%3B%202-%20!H%3B%204+%20!S%3B%2011%20HCP%3B%2012%20total%20points%29PPP&p=H4H2HQH6HKH7C5HJHAH5D3S5H9HTCTC2DKDAD4D8CAC3C6S3C4CJCKD5D9DQD2D6S6S9SAS2STS4SKSJDJD7C7H8H3S7CQC8SQDTC9S8]400|300[/hv]

If we were to overcall 1♠ on 4, this would be the kind of hand and suit to do it on. I slightly prefer X, because if partner bids 2♦ I expect at least 5 of them, and we have two honors! We have two biddable suits, and can easily stop at the two level or 1NT if needed after X. The only time I would bid 2♣ here is at Favorable, because we are throwing out a fit, while not really taking that much space up. While there are hands with 14-16 HCP with which we would pass rather than overcall/bid, this is NOT one of them, and I'll go so far to say that your EV would be -4 IMPs per board if you Pass here. I know this also isn't super popular, but this is the kind of hand that Raptor 1NT was made for!

1.) Do you agree with 1NT forcing? If not, what would you have bid? 2.) Now what do you do? [hv=pc=n&s=shkqt82dktcq76432&d=w&v=0&b=8&a=p1sp1n(Forcing)p3sp]133|200[/hv]

In order for GIB to bid after the Michaels cuebid, it should have 14+ HCP and 18+ total points. The hand below should cuebid then PASS! [hv=sn=chasetb&s=ST962HKT7DK762C43&wn=Robot&w=S8HQ9DAQJ83CKJ876&nn=Robot&n=SAQ753HAJ852D9CT9&en=Robot&e=SKJ4H643DT54CAQ52&d=s&v=b&b=7&a=P1D%28Minor%20suit%20opening%20--%203+%20!D%3B%2011-21%20HCP%3B%2012-22%20total%20points%292D!%28Michaels%20--%203-%20!C%3B%203-%20!D%3B%205+%20!H%3B%205+%20!S%3B%2012+%20total%20points%3B%20forcing%29P2S%282+%20!S%3B%2010-%20total%20points%29P3H%283-%20!C%3B%203-%20!D%3B%206+%20!H%3B%205+%20!S%3B%2015+%20total%20points%29P4H%282+%20!H%3B%202+%20!S%3B%2010+%20HCP%3B%2010-%20total%20points%29PPP&p=CAC3C8C9DTDKDAD9S8SQSKS2S4STH9S3C7CTCQC4SJS6HQS5DQH8D4D2H2H6HTD3H7DJH5H3HKCKHJH4S9CJS7C5D7D8HAD5SAC2D6C6]400|300[/hv]

I ducked the first trick because it could have been a hand where North has the K♣, not K♠ (but maybe QJ), and Declarer only has 2♥. [hv=sn=chasetb&s=SAT5HAJ7DJCAQT973&wn=Robot&w=S84HKT8632DT32C86&nn=Robot&n=SKQJ73H94D9864C52&en=Robot&e=S962HQ5DAKQ75CKJ4&d=n&v=b&b=13&a=P1N%28notrump%20opener.%20Could%20have%205M.%20--%202-5%20!C%3B%202-5%20!D%3B%202-5%20!H%3B%202-5%20!S%3B%2015-17%20HCP%3B%2018-%20total%20points%29D%28Penalty%20double%20--%2016+%20HCP%292D!%28Jacoby%20transfer%20--%205+%20!H%29P2H%28Transfer%20completed%20to%20H%20--%202-5%20!C%3B%202-5%20!D%3B%202-5%20!H%3B%202-5%20!S%3B%2015-17%20HCP%3B%2018-%20total%20points%29PPD%283+%20!H%3B%206-11%20HCP%3B%2012-%20total%20points%29PPP&p=DJD2D4DAHQH7H2H9H5HAH3H4S5S4SJS2C2CJCQC6STS8SQS6C5C4C9C8CAHTS3CKHKD6D5HJD3D8DKSAS9C3H8SKDTD9D7C7H6S7DQCT]400|300[/hv]

Much like each country (or region or state in that country) can have varying laws, so should the bridge community, as well as one universal set of rules for international competitions. I DO NOT want the ACBL regs to be that set though - I can't play Multi at the club, and I don't really know anyone good enough to play up with them in events where Multi is allowed.

Currently with no partners (see my posts here and here), I decided to try and improve my individual play, especially my declarer play and squeezes. I get everything about the simple squeeze - the one loser, the three types, and so on. I have a basic understanding of triple squeezes, and even pulled one off thanks to an unlucky opponent pre-empting. What currently is tripping up is the double squeeze, and that seems to dash my hopes for more advanced stuff beyond simple endplays and coups. I understand that you should have only one loser, that there's a R suit, L suit, and B suit, and after running the free suit, you generally run the L suit. However, being able to put it into play is non-existent. I can see hands where it could possibly work, but either I don't properly visualize the squeeze running, or there isn't a double on the hand. Take this hand from tonight. I see it, and actually run it properly, but I confuse the R and L suits, and miss that overtrick I deserved after less than perfect defense. [hv=sn=chasetb&s=SQ654H4DKJ7543C96&wn=Robot&w=SK73HKJ7DT862CA87&nn=Robot&n=SJ8HA98653DQ9CKT4&en=Robot&e=SAT92HQT2DACQJ532&d=w&v=o&b=8&a=PP1C%28Minor%20suit%20opening%20--%203+%20!C%3B%2011-21%20HCP%3B%2012-22%20total%20points%292D%28Aggressive%20weak%20jump%20overcall%20--%206+%20!D%3B%29PPD%283-7%20!C%3B%202-%20!D%3B%203+%20!H%3B%203+%20!S%3B%2011-21%20HCP%3B%2012-22%20total%20points%29PPP&p=S3S8SAS4DAD3D8D9CQC6CAC4D6DQC5D4SJS2S5SKS7H3S9SQDKDTH5C3DJD2H6H2H4H7HAHTH9HQD5HKD7C7CTC2C9C8CKCJH8STS6HJ]400|300[/hv] I feel like I'm beating my head against the wall, and just want advice on how to improve this aspect (squeezes, not the beating of the head against the wall, just to be clear :P ), and maybe visualization in general. If I can improve upon this and the partner, then maybe I don't have to give up this game while still in my 20s. Thanks for everyone ahead of time who has anything constructive to say.

I've decided to make this post like the personals. I've also added a bit of humour, like that. Enjoy, and please respond if you are interested! Hi all. My name is Chase, and I am a bridge player in his mid 20s, located in the EDT timezone (USA). I enjoy math, science, soccer (football), hockey, and bridge, especially the systems and defense aspects. I can play Standard American, 2/1, Precision, and have a basic understandings of both Swedish and Polish Clubs. I am a non-smoker, a social drinker (though usually the DD), generally competitive but can tone it done, and an inquisitive partner who's always supportive and wanting to improve both the players and the partnership. I am preferably looking for a fellow Precision player, but anyone willing to teach me Swedish/Polish Clubs are welcome, and I really don't mind 2/1 or Standard American, as long as the system is developed or it's just for fun. You likely have more MPs than me, so if that's a major determining factor, then move along. You probably wouldn't be willing to work in a cooperative partnership, and I likely am a better player than you and have more National titles than you anyways. I am in college, and get on at varying times throughout the week. Tuesdays and Thursdays are pretty open, Mondays and Wednesdays aren't too bad after 5 PM. Weekends are really bad, especially for the next 3 weeks.

Because North was a passed hand, it changes everything. The 2♦ bid promised 6+ ♦, while denying more than 2 clubs. 3♦ showed 2+. I imagine it did that because 2NT would have shown the big balanced hand, while 2M SHOULD be a reverse. It will bid 2M on less than 16 HCP if it has 3+ ♣ and has 16+ points feels like it. I do have a problem with the 3♦ description on the hand below, however, since I have NO WAY to splinter to show slam interest (imagine giving South ♠xx ♥x ♦ AKxx ♣AKQxxx): [hv=sn=chasetb&s=SK8H6DA872CAK9852&w=SQ6532HAK43DJ54CT&nn=Robot&n=SAJT9HQ75DKQT9CJ3&e=S74HJT982D63CQ764&d=w&v=b&b=4&a=P1D%28Minor%20suit%20opening%20--%203+%20!D%3B%2011-21%20HCP%3B%2012-22%20total%20points%29P2C%28Forcing%20two%20over%20one%20--%2011+%20HCP%3B%20biddable%20!C%29P2N%282-3%20!C%3B%203-5%20!D%3B%202-4%20!H%3B%202-4%20!S%3B%2011-14%20HCP%3B%2012+%20total%20points%29P3D%285+%20!C%3B%2011+%20HCP%3B%20biddable%20!D%29PPP]400|300[/hv]

It's denoted as takeout, but East certainly didn't take it out, and this happened across multiple tables! [hv=sn=chasetb&s=SAJT76532HAD54CJ7&wn=Robot&w=SHKQ976DAQT9CA942&nn=Robot&n=S94HT854DJ876CK65&en=Robot&e=SKQ8HJ32DK32CQT83&d=e&v=e&b=22&a=P4S%28Preempt%20--%207+%20!S%3B%2011-%20HCP%3B%203+%20total%20poin%294N!%28Three%20suit%20takeout%20--%204+%20!C%3B%204+%20!D%3B%204+%20!H%3B%2017+%20total%20points%29PPP&p=S9S8SJC4SAC2S4SQSTC9C5SKH3HAH6H5S7H7D8C3S6D9H8D2S5H9D6CTS3DTHTH2S2DQH4D3D5DADJDKCAC6C8C7HKD7HJD4HQCKCQCJ]400|300[/hv]

I reposted/resized the hand to make it easier to see. The key is that over a jump shift, 4th suit doesn't apply per se. GIB plays Soloway (strong) Jump Shifts, and manudude03 hit the nail on the head. The 3♣ response shows Club strength (2/ top 3 I believe), not necessarily length. What I'd really like, though GIB probably doesn't play it, is 5♦ over 3♣ as Voidwood, and that propels you to the Grand.

[hv=sn=chasetb&s=S7H7654DAKT532CT3&wn=Robot&w=SQ653HKT82D84CK85&nn=Robot&n=SKT9842H3DJ97CJ74&en=Robot&e=SAJHAQJ9DQ6CAQ962&d=e&v=e&b=6&a=2N%28Two%20NT%20opener.%20Could%20have%205M.%20--%202-5%20!C%3B%202-5%20!D%3B%202-5%20!H%3B%202-5%20!S%3B%2020-21%20HCP%293D%28Preempt%20--%207+%20!D%3B%2010-%20HCP%3B%20!DQ%3B%206+%20total%293N%285-%20!H%3B%205-%20!S%3B%2012-%20HCP%3B%205+%20total%20points%294D%282+%20!D%3B%2011-%20HCP%29PPP&p=C5C4CAC3D6D2D4D7H3HAH4H8DQDKD8D9S7S6SKSAHQH5H2S2C9CTCKC7C8CJCQD3H6HTDJHJSTSJD5S3DAS5S4C6DTSQS8H9H7HKS9C2]400|300[/hv]

Look at trick 9 - wondering what in the world causes GIB to NOT pop up with the Ace and leading a ♦, especially after I overcalled. [hv=sn=chasetb&s=S4HKQ6DKT9432CT92&wn=Robot&w=SJ82HAT982DQ76C86&nn=Robot&n=SAT76HJ54DJ8CJ543&en=Robot&e=SKQ953H73DA5CAKQ7&d=e&v=o&b=30&a=1S%28Major%20suit%20opening%20--%205+%20!S%3B%2011-21%20HCP%3B%2012-22%20total%20points%292D%28Two-level%20overcall%20--%205+%20!D%3B%2010+%20HCP%3B%2011%292S%28Free%20major%20raise%20--%203+%20!S%3B%206-10%20total%20points%29P4S%285+%20!S%3B%2021-%20HCP%3B%2017-22%20total%20points%29PPP&p=HKHAH4H7S2S6SKS4CAC2C6C5CKC9C8C4CQCTD6C3C7D2S8CJHTH5H3HQH6H9HJS5S3D3SJSTD7D8DAD4D5DKDQDJDTH8S7SQS9D9H2SA]400|300[/hv]

IF what you are saying is true, then answer this - would you rather have people starving, or feed them the GMOs so that they don't die due to malnutrition? The world produces more than enough food for everyone to eat, the problem lies in cost and distribution. You can thank GMOs for that (and all food nowadays has been Genetically modified, HOW it was modified is the kicker).

2♣ - 2♦ 2♠ - 2NT (positive, 0-2 Spades, balanced or 5+ ♣) 3♣ (asking) - ??? Since I haven't ever played a decent system over 2♣ (not by choice), I can't do the rest, but I would hopefully end up in 6♣ making 7.

According to this write-up from 10 years ago (the system hasn't changed since then), 1m - 2NT is INV 10-12. In Bridge Base Basic (essentially SAYC), 1m - 2NT is GF bal. 13-15 HCP. Here's a FD card that covers everything in Bridge Base - Advanced as well.

Generally, with 0-6 (or a bad 7) HCP, you are supposed to pass. However, this should clearly bid 3NT for two reasons: 1.) You have an ok 5-card suit (2.) You have two controls (above average), so there's a good chance that your ♦ suit can be set up and provide the extra trick(s) needed.

That is true - IF you forget that Russell Wilson has plenty of mobility. Though, the announcer at the time said they had 2 timeouts, not one (I literally only watched the last 2 minutes). Play 1 - run it with Lynch, timeout. Play 2 - fake run / bootleg pass. Play 3 - run again.

Assuming 15-17 HCP for 1NT, I bid 3NT. Any 4333 shape (even with 4-card support) is bad, only 4 controls is bad (the average expected controls for 15 HCP is 5.01, and obviously higher for 16 and 17 HCP), you are quacky with only a J♣, AND we have every side suit cleanly stopped. Considering there are many 12 HCP distributional hands where I would make a slam try over 1NT openeing, this is a clear min in context. However, partner should make another slam try WITH 16 WORKING HCP AND 6 CONTROLS!

Testing out the GIB (I should make a direct Takeout X), and I wondered why GIB didn't interpret it as Takeout and pull to 2♥ I also wonder why it's listed as 15- points. [hv=sn=chasetb&s=SQJ72HKJ32DQT7CA7&wn=Robot&w=S96HAT7DJ954C9832&nn=Robot&n=SAT5HQ984DK82CJ54&en=Robot&e=SK843H65DA63CKQT6&d=n&v=e&b=25&a=P1C%28Minor%20suit%20opening%20--%203+%20!C%3B%2011-21%20HCP%3B%2012-22%20total%20points%29P1D%28One%20over%20one%20--%204+%20!D%3B%206+%20total%20points%29P1S%283+%20!C%3B%203-%20!D%3B%203-%20!H%3B%204+%20!S%3B%2011+%20HCP%3B%2012-18%20total%20points%29P2C%284+%20!C%3B%204+%20!D%3B%206+%20total%20points%29PPD%2816-%20total%20points%29PPP&p=CAC2C4CTC7C9CJCKH6H2HTHQC5C6H3C3DAD7D4D2D3DTDJDKH9H5HJHAS6SAS3S2D8D6DQD9HKH7H8CQSKS7S9S5S8SJC8STD5H4S4SQ]400|300[/hv]

It really depends on what 2♦ - 3M means or what you want it to mean. If you want simplicity (Invitational), then 2NT should be GF (13+). If you want a little more memory load but more effective at game and slam bidding (3M being a slam try), then 2NT = relay, 1 Round Forcing (11+) and while you use some artificiality, it helps find slim games and slams. You almost never want to play in 2NT after Flannery, hence why it is forcing in both methods.