GIB Release Notes - updated with each new version

[diana_eva]

Are we running v.28 yet? Not seen any announcement about it. Some months ago I put in a request that the GIB version number be interrogatable by the user in session, which received some positive feedback from other users but no comment from those in authority. I expect that it is something that should be in the "suggestions for the software" forum rather than robot forum, as it may have less to do with GIB programming than interface stuff.

 

We didn't upgrade to V28 yet. We released an upgrade last week but something went wrong (this upgrade brought a very old bug to life and it caused some serious issues in robot tournament) and we had to roll it back. The bug and other issues were fixed, but we need to test some more before upgrading robots. We'll post a news item in BBO Today when V28 is released.

[Bbradley62]

This recent post by Georgi probably confused this issue, but I think it's just an ESL problem.

Since v28, you could now bid blackwood over spades and bid 6D which GIB will pass.

[diana_eva]

Yeah it's just a language issue. G means in V28 (when it will be released) this issue will be fixed.

[diana_eva]

GIB V28 is here:

 

Main Changes:

• Basic robots received a significant upgrade.
• Improved slam bidding sequences when partnership has shown two suits.
• Added 4N as an option to show both minors in competition.
• Improved continuations over 1NT opening and interference from opposition.
• GIB will be more flexible after 1M opening - overcall from opps - 2M free raise.
• Improved methods to show both majors in response to a strong 2C or 2N opening.
• Improved responses to 4th level cuebids over interference.
• GIB will now show major first with 4M-5m in response to partner's balancing double at 3rd level or higher.
• Other bug fixes and minor tweaks.

[Bbradley62]

A new version of GIB is is here! We call this Version 29. Please visit BBO Discussion Forum to discuss the robots. Main Changes:

 

• We tried to make some explanations clearer. For instance, the cryptic "8421" cue bidding alerts have been replaced, and explanations now contain suit symbols.
• Responder's double in balancing seat is now takeout instead of penalty over opponents' 4th seat overcall.
• It is now possible to show both majors or other major + minor over opponents' 2nd level preempts. Over opps' 2M opening, 4M shows a strong hand with minors, while 4NT shows a weaker hand with both minors.
  
• 3 level preempts will now guarantee better suit quality (QJ or better). Also, GIB will trust partner's 3NT or further double(s) indisputably and will not pull to a suit it has already shown.
  
• After 4NT keycards and 5C/5D reply, GIB will raise partner's 5M when holding 3 or 4 key cards.
  
• GIB will be more careful about bidding 3NT without stoppers.
  
• GIB will no longer strive to reach game in competitive auctions when partner had already passed opps' bid and then tries to compete.
  
• A lot of other bug fixes and minor tweaks.

 

We also would like BBOers to know we had to postpone a fix for 2C opening and follow up actions, but that this fix should be ready for the next update in a few months.

 

All robot used in tournaments have already been upgraded. This upgrade is only for those using the new BBO client (web version) or anyone on our mobile app. Those of you using the old client for Rental Robots, please start using the new version of BBO in order to enjoy all our upgrades.

 

We hope you enjoy the new improved robot. This is the 1st upgrade in 2014 and the 16th since 2011. We will continue to strive for excellence in our robot. Every robot report you send in is read, so please keep sending in those bugs reports and suggestions. To participate in discussions with us, please visit BBO's GIB forum.

[Bbradley62]

From the "BBO Today" box:

A new version of GIB is is here! We call this Version 29. Please visit BBO Discussion Forum to discuss the robots. Main Changes:

 

We tried to make some explanations clearer. For instance, the cryptic "8421" cue bidding alerts have been replaced, and explanations now contain suit symbols...

I think these are both counter-productive. On my crappy old computer, and I'm guessing on small cellphone screens, I get a little red blob (which could be either a heart or a diamond) or a little black blob (spade or club). Of course, I usually know which is meant, but I'm sure there will be some strange situations when I get surprised.

 

I saw nothing at all cryptic about the 8421 alerts, once I bothered to read the explanation in the GIB system documentation. Today GIB partner dealt and opened 2♥; I replied 2N and pard bid 3♣. Using the old method, this was explained as showing 3+ 8421points in clubs. Perfectly clear: pard has A, or K, or QJ. Now, the explanation is that it shows the ♣Q. Certainly less accurate/helpful.

[barmar]

I think these are both counter-productive. On my crappy old computer, and I'm guessing on small cellphone screens, I get a little red blob (which could be either a heart or a diamond) or a little black blob (spade or club). Of course, I usually know which is meant, but I'm sure there will be some strange situations when I get surprised.

Suit symbols are used almost everywhere else in the UI. This is just being consistent.

I saw nothing at all cryptic about the 8421 alerts, once I bothered to read the explanation in the GIB system documentation. Today GIB partner dealt and opened 2♥; I replied 2N and pard bid 3♣. Using the old method, this was explained as showing 3+ 8421points in clubs. Perfectly clear: pard has A, or K, or QJ. Now, the explanation is that it shows the ♣Q. Certainly less accurate/helpful.

We think most people found the 8421 stuff confusing -- not everyone reads documentation, and it's not something bridge players are normally taught, like 4321 HCP. However, I agree the fact that it's showing "at least" what is stated in the explanation is not clear. It should probably say something like "QJ+".

[Rain]

A new GIB version was released early this morning. Version 30 contains a lot of changes and bugfixes. We strongly recommend players mouse over explanations more often as the point ranges may have changed. Some notable differences are highlighted here:

 

(Note: I edited 2 points that were wrong this morning in points 3 and 4)

 

Significant Changes:

1) GIB will be much more cautious when raising partner's overcalls and preemptive openings. It will also start taking vulnerability into account, and stop blindly following "the law".

 

2) Adjusted the values GIB thinks it needs for bidding slams and grand slams. GIB will now only try for slams with more combined HCP in NT contracts, but with less combined TP in trump contracts.

 

3) Slight change to GIB's "unusual over unusual" where instead of 10-12 TP for unusual vs unusual, this response will now have 10+ TP. Eg: If the auction goes 1H (2N*) 3C, where 2N* is an unusual NT showing clubs and diamonds, 3C means bidder has a limit raise or better in H.

 

4) GIB will try to avoid bad trump fits and play in NT more. Eg: With 43, 42, 51, 60, etc trump fits, GIB is more willing to stay in NT.

 

5) After a sandwich NT, system is now on! Eg: (1C) P (1D) 1N is a strong NT, transfers/staymans etc will now apply.

 

Many of the bugfixes were taken from GIB forum and discussion, and we'll like to thank contributors for their suggestions here. The next GIB version is also going to be a major overhaul one and we think it will come soon. :)

Edited June 7, 2014 by diana_eva
highlight version number

[iandayre]

I strongly disagree with the first change, in particular over overcalls. In my opinion GIB failed to make obvious raises often enough before this. I imagine we'll have to drop our standards for doubling and bidding or we will miss many games, or opportunities to compete, with stronger hands.

 

I also disagree that more 4-3 fits should be played. It was already choosing 4-3 major fits at high levels far more than any sane human would. For example with Axx, Kxx, AQxxxx, x for example after 1D, 2C, 2D, 2S, it will bid 3S rather than 2NT. Makes no sense to me, since 2D didn't deny a major.

 

This is a very disappointing "upgrade". When will you address the fact that it is possible in bridge to have fits in two suits? Stop focusing on adding gadgets and improve the quality of GIB's bidding in routine auctions.

[Bbradley62]

• GIB now does "unusual over unusual". So if the auction goes 1H (2N*) 3C, where 2N* is an unusual NT showing clubs and diamonds, 3C means bidder has a limit raise or better in H.

This has always been the case, according to the published System Notes. Was it not actually the case, or has something subtle changed?

Competitive Auctions

• Unusual versus Unusual, lower cue = limit raise or better (GIB does UVU, but doesn't alert it with this name)

[Bbradley62]

• Adjusted the values GIB thinks it needs for bidding slams and grand slams. GIB will now only try for slams with more combined points in NT contracts, but with less combined points in trump contracts.

Does "combined points" mean combined HCP for NT contracts and combined Total Points for suit contracts?

[uday]

Sorry for the muddled explanations :)

 

Gib will be LESS willing to play in 4-3 or 5-2 fits now .

 

We always played U vs U but we made some refinements there.

 

Until this version, Gib was somewhat weird about bidding NT slams. In defiance of the conventional thinking ( need fewer points w/a fit ), it chose to need MORE points to bid a suit slam. As of this version, things are more mainstream - it will hunt for 33 HCP to bid a slam , and a little less to bid a suit slam.

[Rain]

Does "combined points" mean combined HCP for NT contracts and combined Total Points for suit contracts?

 

By "Combined" I mean between player + robot, combined.

 

But yes, I believe GIB uses HCP for NT contracts, and TP for suit.

 

I think I'll change my point to say this.

[BriddlesBo]

How can GIB's Sandwich 1NT be showing distribution for the OTHER 2 Suits as well as a "strong No Trump" as you indicated (thus systems --- stayman/transfers --- are "ON"?)

[1eyedjack]

How can GIB's Sandwich 1NT be showing distribution for the OTHER 2 Suits as well as a "strong No Trump" as you indicated (thus systems --- stayman/transfers --- are "ON"?)

It can't. Ergo, it doesn't.

It shows a strong no trump instead of (not as well as) the other 2 suits. Unless you have an example where the explanation shows both? That would probably be a typo in the explanation.

[1eyedjack]

I think that this thread should be unpinned, or at least re-titled, now that we are up to version 30.

[diana_eva]

I think that this thread should be unpinned, or at least re-titled, now that we are up to version 30.

 

Agree. Renamed the pinned discussion and merged with the latest release notes.

[barmar]

How can GIB's Sandwich 1NT be showing distribution for the OTHER 2 Suits as well as a "strong No Trump" as you indicated (thus systems --- stayman/transfers --- are "ON"?)

It shows a strong NT by an unpassed hand, the other 2 suits by a passed hand. This change happened a couple of revisions ago -- it used to be the other 2 suits in all positions.

 

The change this time is that when it shows a strong NT, systems are on.

[diana_eva]

A new version of GIB is is here! We call this Version 31. This is a major release which contains a lot of bug fixes and bidding improvements.

 

 

Significant Changes:

• By popular request, GIB now plays Reverse Drury. A 2C response by a passed hand to partner's major opening (in an uncontested auction) is now forcing, showing 3+ in the major and 10-12 Total Points.
• If a minor fit is found and player makes a jump to 5 in the minor, GIB will no longer treat this as a slam inquiry. Instead, GIB will pass the minor game. Eg, 1N-2S!-3C-5C. (2S is minor suit stayman).
• Holding a very strong hand after opponents' preempt, GIB will now make a takeout double first before rebidding his suit. Eg, AKQxxx AK AK xxx. After a 3C preempt GIB now makes a double first before bidding. Conversely, this means if GIB jumps to 4M instead of first making a double, he doesn't have a super strong hand.
• GIB now plays system on after a sandwich NT in 4th position. Eg, (1D)-P-(1S)-1N, (P)-2D! (2D is now a transfer to hearts).
• GIB no longer plays Lebensohl if the double comes from passed hand.
• GIB will evaluate hands better if partner makes a Support or Negative Double.
• You can no longer gamble on GIB not leading his Ace against your 7NT. The new and improved GIB always leads his Ace!
• Tons of bug fixes.

[steve2005]

A new version of GIB is is here! We call this Version 31. This is a major release which contains a lot of bug fixes and bidding improvements.

 

 

Significant Changes:

• You can no longer gamble on GIB not leading his Ace against your 7NT. The new and improved GIB always leads his Ace!.

 

This will spoil a lot of humour! lol

[diana_eva]

This will spoil a lot of humour! lol

 

I was tempted to move that up in the list as 1st change :D

[helene_t]

Well done BBO, this sounds as if most of the things that annoyed me have been resolved in one go!

[shiang]

Hi, I'm interested in a job in helping improve GIB. I have some programing experience and AI but it's "limited". I do have some great ideas such as letting users tag hands where they think GIB errored to get a better data pool and see how we can fix the problems. I also think it would be nice to have different levels and types of convention cards available to players of different skill levels, and at the upper levels make the bidding customizable.

[barmar]

Hi, I'm interested in a job in helping improve GIB. I have some programing experience and AI but it's "limited". I do have some great ideas such as letting users tag hands where they think GIB errored to get a better data pool and see how we can fix the problems. I also think it would be nice to have different levels and types of convention cards available to players of different skill levels, and at the upper levels make the bidding customizable.

We already have the "Robot Report" mechanism. We get about 10 of these a day, in addition to the reports people post here.

[1eyedjack]

I also think it would be nice to have different levels and types of convention cards available to players of different skill levels, and at the upper levels make the bidding customizable.

This is quite a common suggestion in these forums. All other factors being equal it sounds like a good idea. There are two particular concerns.

 

The first is that all other factors are never equal. If, for example, resources were made available to expand on GIB's repertoire of systems and conventions, those resources could alternatively have been devoted to improving GIB's ability to use its existing system and conventions. Likely, there will come a time when GIB is sufficiently good at its existing system that the marginal benefit of improving that aspect further is less than the marginal benefit of developing parallel systems. Personally I don't think that this point has yet been reached.

 

The second concern is that in robot tourneys (other than Instants) we currently enjoy a unique experience in that a sequence of bids and plays replicated at different tables will result in identical subsequent action by the robots at each table (and in Instants that also holds true except at your table). I regard that feature as a benefit, which would be lost if GIB were allowed a choice of systems. You could of course disable the choice in robot tourneys but enable it in MBC or human tourneys. But I believe that those environments only represent a tiny proportion of the total GIB usage, which in turn leads us back to the question of whether it would be the optimal use of resources.