Categories

[pclayton]

Noble's hand: Small Slam makes me think that two categories are just too few for play and defense problems.

 

When I think of B/I problems, I think of Bridge Master 2 level problems. Level II problems are ones like basic suit establishment and basic endplays. I see fair players bumble hands like these, and thats what I think BI's need to focus on.

 

Level III are just too tough for most BI's I think, although if they want to work on them to improve their game, I think thats great. Looking at the sample Level III problems, there's a basic trump gambit, a tricky cash-out, an interesting entry-management hand, a hand to combine chances in 3 different suits in 3N, Fred's favorite suit combination, etc.. They would all fit within Kantar's "Test Your Play" and I think they clearly fall within the intermediate / advanced category, but more advanced than beginner. Personally I think Level III are 'heavy-lifting' for BI's, but I'd be interested in opinions from others.

 

I would categorize Noble's hand as a medium to high level 3 hand personally. There's some permutations that I really would not expect a BI to understand.

 

Perhaps we need three categories for the boards - Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced/Expert.

[ArcLight]

Phil,

I don't think the Level 3 hands are "heavy lifting" for BI though I don't always solve them on the first try. I do think the level 4 are. I think Beginner -Intermediate is way too broad a range. A beginner will be challenged by Bridge Master Level 2 hands, and Intermediate has a fair shot at the Level 3 hands.

 

Nobels hand is a good one for BI, though the Beginners might not get it.

 

I think its important to try problems that are a little "too tough" for you, so that you learn. I am about 2/3 finished wih all of the Kelsey "Test Your XXX" books. I get many wrong, and hopefully learn from my mistakes.

[jocdelevat]

I love the difficulty of the hand. In my opinion whats wrong with the hands for b/i is the hidden answers from advanced and higher players. I think players advanced and higher level should wait at least one day before they post the answer.

This is just a suuggestion not a blame to the ones who post the answer hidden imediatlly.

For me if someone advanced or higher already post a hidden answer I will never post my answer even I will try to solve the problem or I have an idea how to do it.

The reason for that is your solution even if is right (which is not my case in most of the play problems) may create a doubt if was really you or the hidden answer before.(everyone knows how to unhide).

Anyhow I appologize in advanced if I offend any b/i players.

[rogerclee]

I think further categorization would be important if there were more posts. As it stands, though, there are maybe fifteen new threads a day in the two forums combined, which makes me feel it's unnecessary.

[Trumpace]

Even though people are B/I at the table, they might actually be better analysts away from it.

 

I think level III hands will be quite instructive to some of the more advanced intermediates and (so) are appropriate here.

 

Also, It is not the case that we have only been seeing level III hands. I think we do see a majority of level II hands in these forums, with a few level III hands thrown in: which seems like an ideal combination to me.

 

I do agree with jocdelevat that if the advanced players refrain from posting too soon (unless required to, to point out errors etc), it would help people even more.

 

Also, IMO, if the B/I players lose their fear of making a mistake in public and make a post, the threads will be even more helpful.

 

To the B/I: Unless you admit to and learn from your mistakes, you will not improve (you already knew that). The first step is to make them in front of the more advanced players who are willing to help: this forum is ideal for that.

[vuroth]

To the B/I: Unless you admit to and learn from your mistakes, you will not improve (you already knew that). The first step is to make them in front of the more advanced players who are willing to help: this forum is ideal for that.

Thanks, I'll remember that.

[EricK]

Perhaps we need three categories for the boards - Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced/Expert.

Why not 5 categories corresponding to Bridge Master levels I - V?

 

That's not to say that we need 5 separate forums, but posted problems could be rated in this way (either by the poster or by a helpful mod).

[pclayton]

Perhaps we need three categories for the boards - Beginner, Intermediate and Advanced/Expert.

Why not 5 categories corresponding to Bridge Master levels I - V?

 

That's not to say that we need 5 separate forums, but posted problems could be rated in this way (either by the poster or by a helpful mod).

If we aren't going bifurcate the forums, perhaps we could try to internally classify the hands as I through V.