Winstonm Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 The January 2009 edition of the ACBL Bridge Bulletin magazine came today in my mail, and it holds on page 27 a Bidding Lab article by one Ken Rexford of Lima, Ohio. As the only Ken Rexford I know who would be strange enough to develope the presented 2D idea also haunts these premises, I want confirmation from the source before giving my congratulations. Well, Ken.....we're waiting.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
han Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 I don't have the new bulletin yet but I'm looking forward to the bidding lab. I don't know if I will adopt Ken's idea but I am sure it will be an interesting read. My apologies for all the snide and snarky remarks, also to those who deserved them. This is my 8888th post and that seems a good time to stop. I'm going to seek out the sun tomorrow so let me wish you all a good holiday season and the best wishes for 2009! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TimG Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 This is my 8888th post and that seems a good time to stop. You'll notice from my member number and date joined that Han and I happened upon BBO forums at almost the same time. I'm only 7004 posts behind... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fluffy Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 We will miss you Han, come back soon! HNY. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherdano Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 What does "Group: Validating" mean? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kfay Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 I might actually read the bidding lab this month.♥Han Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherdano Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 This is my 8888th post and that seems a good time to stop. You'll notice from my member number and date joined that Han and I happened upon BBO forums at almost the same time. I'm only 7004 posts behind... A couple of ill-timed birthday wishes might help you catch up. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenrexford Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 Yeah, that's mine. I forgot about that. I sent that in quite a while ago, I guess. I have not even looked it over myself -- just checked when I read this. Hopefully it is not idiotic. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Winstonm Posted December 24, 2008 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 Yeah, that's mine. I forgot about that. I sent that in quite a while ago, I guess. I have not even looked it over myself -- just checked when I read this. Hopefully it is not idiotic. LOL In that case congratulations Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mtvesuvius Posted December 24, 2008 Report Share Posted December 24, 2008 To quote JLOL: LOL Congrats Ken ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JoAnneM Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 I probably won't get my Bulletin till about the 8th. Congratulations! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cherdano Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 I can't take the suspense - what's the topic? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rogerclee Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 I can't take the suspense - what's the topic? 2♦ = 14-16 with minors. I wasn't sold, but I thought it was a solid effort. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kenrexford Posted December 27, 2008 Report Share Posted December 27, 2008 I can't take the suspense - what's the topic? 2♦ = 14-16 with minors. I wasn't sold, but I thought it was a solid effort. Yeah, admittedly it is not the be-all. It is something that gives another decent option for people wanting something else for a 2♦ opening. The "real reason" I have taught others to play this is that it is an essential step that can be used to slowly build into or shift over to a better structure (IMO) precision (2♦ minors, 2♣ Roman, 1♦ then one but not both minors, maybe 2NT wk minors), and then to a better-structure canape (same 2♣/2♦, maybe 2N, with 1♦ a diamond-Major canape or either minor, never both minors). The bid itself does reap large "out of thin air" IMP rewards, such as the unexpected game lost for the opponents, the unexpected hammer of an "unfortuate" overcall, and the rare slam or "right" game, with very rare loss, if ever. MP -- about a wash in a very good field, slight advantage usually, huge advantage if weak players abound (stratified, for example). At a minimum, IMO, it has great advantage as an alternative for a 4th-Seat opening. Advice: Do not tweak the range to weak. The subtle advantage of a one-level opening and interference is lost if the range is not split in two. Hence, the intermediate. Others have tried the weak variety and then switched back. Advice2: If playing precision/canape, do not switch 2♣ to minors and 2♦ to 4441, thinking that you want to be able to play 2♣ when Responder prefers clubs. Bad move!!! You kill the value of that one-level drop for the 4441's (2NT becomes the asking bid rather than 2♦), and you give the opponents a much-needed 2♦ conventional overcall for the majors (bad), all for almost no real gain. People tried that and then switched back (unless stubborn, paying the price for that). BTW. I did a study a few years ago as to the effectiveness of this tool at IMPs and saw huge benefits in international play. A few years later, I tried this again and saw more of a wash with vugraph hands occurring after the first study. Part of the difference is that the hands were different, but part of it was that my "assumed judgment" increased. In other words, this 2♦ opening has increased benefit for individuals or partnerships who do not have other tools for handling minor-oriented hands and/or who do not have this specific type of problem mastered. Whereas the advanced player/partnership might experience a net benefit of "X," the intermediate player/partnership will likely experience a "3X" benefit. From actual experience, having taught a group to play this (who play this now), including a LM, a BLM, a SLM, and a GLM, they all benefit greatly. A well-refined pair of pros might not actually reap much net benefit (except that the structure benefit if playing canape, and perhaps Precision, is much more substantial, IMO). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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