GIB Release Notes - updated with each new version

[barmar]

If we had the ability to offer system choices (I'm not saying that we have any plans in this direction, I'm just thinking out loud), a reasonable approach in robot tourneys might be to allow you to choose the system of your partner GIB, but all the opponent GIBs would play the same system. It wouldn't be fair to let you hobble your opponents with an inferior system compared to other tables. But choosing the conventions used by your parternship is a normal part of bridge, and so it would be appropriate to allow that.

 

On the other hand, one of the issues that comes up when forming partnership agreements in f2f bridge is that you have to balance system complexity against your ability to remember it, since you're not allowed to consult your own notes. But in robot tourneys we display the meaning of everything. So players who choose complex systems will have all the advantages without the memory burden.

[diana_eva]

GIB Version 32 is here.

 

Changes:

• This version mainly contains bugfixes. For example, GIB should now bid more identically at different tables in the same tournament if auction progresses similarly across the tables.
• GIB will be a little more aggressive about bidding games and slams when it thinks partner has a wide range of 4+ Total Points. (So for instance, if your bidding had shown 3-8 TP, that's a range of more than 4 so it will be more aggressive.) However, GIB will deduct 1 Total Point when inviting or bidding games and slams.

[Bbradley62]

In the first item above, does "similarly" mean "similarly but not exactly"? I was under the impression that GIB already bid identically at different tables in the same tournament when auctions were the same.

[Bbradley62]

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.

Have you also decreased the requirements for 1M openings opposite a passed hand, so that there is such a thing as a sub-minimal opening in GIB's logic? It doesn't appear to me that you have; it appears that GIB still won't open in third seat with a hand that wasn't good enough to open in first, and that he does not allow for the possibility that his partner has done so.

[Bbradley62]

GIB Upgraded!

A new version of GIB is is here! We call this Version 33.

Changes:

• GIB is now smarter about splinters and what suit it indicates. (eg 1♠ 2♣, 2♠ 4♦ is now a splinter for spades, not for clubs).

• GIB will now always raise a major suit response with three cards when holding 5431 shapes and a minimum opening bid. So with 3451 shape GIB will rebid 2♠ after 1♦ p 1♠ p. Previously, GIB only did this with strength in the three-card suit.

• GIB now knows 4th suit is not forcing to game by a passed hand. It will stop in a partscore when appropriate.

• 2♣ p 2♦ p 2M p 3♣ p 3M is now non-forcing (with 3♣ being an artificial double-negative.) This will allow stopping in a partscore with strength such as 22 opposite 0. If GIB has a game in its own hand with a 6+ major, it will generally rebid 4M instead of 3M.

• 2♣ p 2♦ p 3m p 4m is now forcing, instead of showing a weak hand as before.

• After an inverted minor suit raise, if responder rebids a suit on the 2 level or 2NT it will no longer be forcing to game, allowing for investigation of stoppers while still stopping in a partscore.

• GIB will have improved judgement about when to respond 1NT or 2NT to a minor suit opening rather than raising the minor on a balanced hand with 4 card support and stoppers.

• GIB will no longer make a crazy jump to 6NT in a contested auction without the A or K of the opponents' suit.

• Multiple bug fixes.

 

It appears to me that there are about 300 threads in this forum that were created after the release of Version 32 that no BBO staff member has commented on. Will these be reviewed for possible action?

[lycier]

It appears to me that there are about 300 threads in this forum that were created after the release of Version 32 that no BBO staff member has commented on. Will these be reviewed for possible action?

It means whether we maybe add to the trouble in those many threads,so ignore us?

[diana_eva]

A new version of GIB is here! We call this Version 34.

 

 

Changes:

• A bug that appeared in the previous version that prevented GIB from making a proper preference to the first suit at a high level was fixed. In other words, GIB will now correct back to diamonds if the auction goes 1♦ - 3♠ - P - P - 4♣ and it has equal or greater diamond length than club length.
• GIB used to miscount losers in response to blackwood, causing overbidding such as grand slams off the queen of trumps or even off a keycard. That will no longer happen.
• GIB used to occasionally pass the 5NT response to blackwood that shows 2 keycards plus a void. That bid will no longer be passed.
• When super-accepting a Jacoby transfer, GIB will show a doubleton in the transfer suit naturally, rather than jumping to 3 of the trump suit. Also, responder will re-transfer to the suit on the 4 level if there is no room on the 3 level. For example, 1NT - 2♥ - 3♥ - 4♥ is now a re-transfer to spades.
• When a passed hand makes a takeout double, GIB will jump in response much less frequently.
• GIB will now consider playing in a 4-4 fit in the other major when a major suit is opened and raised. For example, 1♥ - 2♥ - 2NT (showing spades), if responder GIB has a maximum with 4+ spades it will raise to 3♠. Opener can then choose which major suit to play in by bidding 4♥ or 4♠, either of which GIB will pass.
• GIB now knows that doubling an opening bid and rebidding 1NT shows 19-21 points, rather than 12+ points.
• After a Jacoby 2NT major suit raise and opener shows a singleton, responder can now cuebid with a little less, though it still shows extra values. For example, 1♠ - 2NT - 3♣ - 3♦ is a cuebid showing extras, but no longer shows such a massive hand as it did before. Before, GIB thought that cuebid showed so much that it was almost always bidding slam over it.
• The Grand Slam Force convention was fixed. GIB used to sometimes bid a grand slam lacking 2 of the top 3 honors, but it will no longer do that.
• GIB will now tend to bid a 4 card major suit rather than a 5+ card diamond suit when responding on a weakish hand. This solves a problem that 4-4 spade fits were being lost after 1♣ - 1♦ - 1♥, since a 1♠ rebid by responder was not natural.
• GIB still plays that an auction like 1♦ - 1♠ - 1N - 3♣ is a signoff in clubs, but now it shows 6+ instead of 5+, and the range was corrected as well.
• Other various bug fixes and improvements.

[steve2005]

Wow, that's sounds like a lot of bidding problems corrected. hope it works out!

[baraka]

A new version of GIB is here! We call this Version 34.

 

 

Changes:

• A bug that appeared in the previous version that prevented GIB from making a proper preference to the first suit at a high level was fixed. In other words, GIB will now correct back to diamonds if the auction goes 1♦ - 3♠ - P - P - 4♣ and it has equal or greater diamond length than club length.
• GIB used to miscount losers in response to blackwood, causing overbidding such as grand slams off the queen of trumps or even off a keycard. That will no longer happen.
• GIB used to occasionally pass the 5NT response to blackwood that shows 2 keycards plus a void. That bid will no longer be passed.
• When super-accepting a Jacoby transfer, GIB will show a doubleton in the transfer suit naturally, rather than jumping to 3 of the trump suit. Also, responder will re-transfer to the suit on the 4 level if there is no room on the 3 level. For example, 1NT - 2♥ - 3♥ - 4♥ is now a re-transfer to spades.
• When a passed hand makes a takeout double, GIB will jump in response much less frequently.
• GIB will now consider playing in a 4-4 fit in the other major when a major suit is opened and raised. For example, 1♥ - 2♥ - 2NT (showing spades), if responder GIB has a maximum with 4+ spades it will raise to 3♠. Opener can then choose which major suit to play in by bidding 4♥ or 4♠, either of which GIB will pass.
• GIB now knows that doubling an opening bid and rebidding 1NT shows 19-21 points, rather than 12+ points.
• After a Jacoby 2NT major suit raise and opener shows a singleton, responder can now cuebid with a little less, though it still shows extra values. For example, 1♠ - 2NT - 3♣ - 3♦ is a cuebid showing extras, but no longer shows such a massive hand as it did before. Before, GIB thought that cuebid showed so much that it was almost always bidding slam over it.
• The Grand Slam Force convention was fixed. GIB used to sometimes bid a grand slam lacking 2 of the top 3 honors, but it will no longer do that.
• GIB will now tend to bid a 4 card major suit rather than a 5+ card diamond suit when responding on a weakish hand. This solves a problem that 4-4 spade fits were being lost after 1♣ - 1♦ - 1♥, since a 1♠ rebid by responder was not natural.
• GIB still plays that an auction like 1♦ - 1♠ - 1N - 3♣ is a signoff in clubs, but now it shows 6+ instead of 5+, and the range was corrected as well.
• Other various bug fixes and improvements.

 

Big problem with super acceptance with doubleton in transfering suit. Now responder cant stop in 3 with garbage after a super accept ! Please restore the old method.

[Antrax]

So what is 1NT-2♦; 3♥ now?

[Bbradley62]

When super-accepting a Jacoby transfer, GIB will show a doubleton in the transfer suit naturally, rather than jumping to 3 of the trump suit. Also, responder will re-transfer to the suit on the 4 level if there is no room on the 3 level. For example, 1NT - 2♥ - 3♥ - 4♥ is now a re-transfer to spades.

Big problem with super acceptance with doubleton in transfering suit. Now responder cant stop in 3 with garbage after a super accept ! Please restore the old method.

Why can't he?

1N - 2♥ (xfer to spades) - 3♥ (superaccept with heart shortness) - 3♠ (signoff)

[Bbradley62]

When super-accepting a Jacoby transfer, GIB will show a doubleton in the transfer suit naturally, rather than jumping to 3 of the trump suit.

Was there a forum discussion of this? Or was it a frequent request? Or did someone just get a wild hair?

[lycier]

When super-accepting a Jacoby transfer, GIB will show a doubleton in the transfer suit naturally, rather than jumping to 3 of the trump suit.

Was there a forum discussion of this? Or was it a frequent request? Or did someone just get a wild hair?

Bbradley62，I agree with you completely since that is just a fact all of us know.

 

 

Today I know the Gib developers will hate me very much for sure if I can make some true comments on this upgraded version.

However I think shielding faults is immoral.

 

As we know,Yellows Georgi,he has been leading this forum in the past of several years in fact,the time of his last reply is April 20th or so,then Georgi never say nothing about our reports.

What's going on? We don't know the reason,but we can make a basic guess that actually Gib might encounter some difficulties,even no way to be upgraded ! really?

Here I will provide the relevant evidence of my research.

 

A new version of GIB is is here! We call this Version 34.

Changes:

When super-accepting a Jacoby transfer, GIB will show a doubleton in the transfer suit naturally, rather than jumping to 3 of the trump suit. Also, responder will re-transfer to the suit on the 4 level if there is no room on the 3 level. For example, 1NT - 2♥ - 3♥ - 4♥ is now a re-transfer to spades.

 

Strangely,it is Dianna_eve to make this release of information on this upgraded,and I can bet she really don't know what she said.

Actually about the superaccept issue after Jacoby transfer,the developer just made a random change, is not real to upgrade.Now I am very easy to make a classic example on Gib CC at below.

 

1nt---2♥

3x

3x indicate 3♣,3♦,3♥ and 3♠ respectively.their exact meanings of Gib CC are :

 

3♣ = superaccept:doubleton,support-- 2♣,2-5♦,2-4♥,4-5♠,17hcp,18-TPs

3♦ = superaccept:doubleton,support-- 2-5♣,2♦,2-4♥,4-5♠,17hcp,18-TPs

3♥ = superaccept:doubleton,support-- 2-5♣,2-5♦,2♥,4-5♠,17hcp,18-TPs

3♠ = superaccept;-- 2-4♣;2-4♦,2-4♥,4-5♠,17hcp,18-TPs.

 

How imprecise their definitions are ! Let's make a logical analysis.

 

3♣ = superaccept:doubleton,support-- 2♣,2-5♦,2-4♥,4-5♠,17hcp,18-TPs

It seems likely its explanation are correct,but there is a issue.

If ♠ is 4 card,4252 shape,on Gib system,is it allowed for opener to open strong 1nt with 4252 shape?

If ♠ is 5 card,5422 shape,especially 5♠-4♥ ,on Gib system,is it allowed for opener to open strong 1nt with 5422 shape?

I don't know,would the Gib developer tell us? Obviously this is a very important issue which is not yet clarified.

 

3♦ = superaccept:doubleton,support-- 2-5♣,2♦,2-4♥,4-5♠,17hcp,18-TPs

Obviously,the explanations are incorrect.

2-5♣? 2-card ♣ is impossible and illogic.its correct explanation should be superaccept:doubleton,support-- 3-5♣,2♦,2-4♥,4-5♠,17hcp,18-TPs.

(If assume strong 1nt can include 5-4 distribution in any major and a minor.)

 

3♥ = superaccept:doubleton,support-- 2-5♣,2-5♦,2♥,4-5♠,17hcp,18-TPs

Obviously,same faults.

If superaccept is 3♥ - doubleton of H,both of 2-card ♣ or 2-card ♦ are impossible.

The correct explanations are superaccept:doubleton,support-- 3-5C,3-5D,2H,4-5S,17hcp,18-TPs.

(If assume strong 1nt can include 5-4 distribution in any major and a minor.)

 

3♠ = superaccept;-- 2-4♣;2-4♦,2-4♥,4-5♠,17hcp,18-TPs.

Obviously,this is a rediculous definition.There are two issues did not take into account

1- If 3♠ is a superaccept bid,2-card ♣,2-card ♦ or 2-card ♥ are impossible.

So maybe you want to say 3S = superaccept;-- 3-4♣;3-4♦,3-4♥,4-5♠,17hcp,18-TPs.

Not good,It should not include 4333 with 17hcp.

2-This is not real superaccept,how about 4-5S with 15-16hcp?called it quits?

[baraka]

Why can't he?

1N - 2♥ (xfer to spades) - 3♥ (superaccept with heart shortness) - 3♠ (signoff)

 

The contract is wrong sided ! Last method was better for the contract was right sided !

[Bbradley62]

The contract is wrong sided ! Last method was better for the contract was right sided !

Understood. I was just correcting your inaccurate statement that responder can't stop in 3. Before evaluating whether this is an improvement or not, it would be nice to hear an answer to Antrax's question above.

[Bbradley62]

Strangely,it is Dianna_eve to make this release of information on this upgraded,and I can bet she really don't know what she said.

There's nothing strange about this. Diana was simply doing Forum readers a favor by copying the information from the "BBO Today" section on the website to here, so we can keep all of the similar information together. She is not responsible for the content. (Note that I have done this several times, and I have nothing to do with GIB's development.)

[steve2005]

GIB used to miscount losers in response to blackwood, causing overbidding such as grand slams off the queen of trumps or even off a keycard. That will no longer happen.

 

Bug not fixed see link to forum post below

 

http://bridgebase.co...wn-cashing-ace/

[baraka]

And here is an other one that's never been fixed...

 

 

[hv=lin=pn|baraka,~~M49860,~~M49858,~~M49859|st%7C%7Cmd%7C3S4QAH58QKAD3C369A%2CS5789H46JD59JC28J%2CS23JKH37D24QKC4TQ%2C%7Crh%7C%7Cah%7CBoard%205%7Csv%7Cn%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C1H%7Can%7CMajor%20suit%20opening%20--%205%2B%20%21H%3B%2011-21%20HCP%3B%20%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C1S%7Can%7COne%20over%20one%20--%204%2B%20%21S%3B%2011-%20HCP%3B%206-12%20total%20points%20%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C3C%7Can%7CJump%20shift%20--%205%2B%20%21H%3B%2018-21%20HCP%3B%20biddable%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C3H%7Can%7C2%2B%20%21H%3B%204%2B%20%21S%3B%2011-%20HCP%3B%206-12%20total%20points%3B%20forcing%20to%203N%20%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C3S%7Can%7C5%2B%20%21H%3B%203%2B%20%21S%3B%2018-21%20HCP%3B%20biddable%20%21C%3B%2019%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C4D%7Can%7C4%2B%20%21D%3B%202%2B%20%21H%3B%204%2B%20%21S%3B%2011-%20HCP%3B%206-12%20total%20points%20%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C4H%7Can%7C6%2B%20%21H%3B%203%2B%20%21S%3B%2018%2B%20HCP%3B%20biddable%20%21C%3B%2019-2%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cpc%7CS5%7Cpc%7CS2%7Cpc%7CST%7Cpc%7CSA%7Cpc%7CHA%7Cpc%7CH6%7Cpc%7CH3%7Cpc%7CH2%7Cpc%7CHK%7Cpc%7CH4%7Cpc%7CH7%7Cpc%7CH9%7Cpc%7CHQ%7Cpc%7CHJ%7Cpc%7CD2%7Cpc%7CHT%7Cpc%7CD3%7Cpc%7CD5%7Cpc%7CDK%7Cpc%7CDA%7Cpc%7CD8%7Cpc%7CC3%7Cpc%7CD9%7Cpc%7CDQ%7Cpc%7CD4%7Cpc%7CDT%7Cpc%7CH5%7Cpc%7CDJ%7Cpc%7CC6%7Cpc%7CC2%7Cpc%7CCQ%7Cpc%7CCK%7Cpc%7CC7%7Cpc%7CCA%7Cpc%7CC8%7Cpc%7CC4%7Cpc%7CSQ%7Cpc%7CS7%7Cpc%7CS3%7Cpc%7CS6%7Cpc%7CS4%7Cpc%7CS8%7Cpc%7CSK%7Cpc%7CD7%7Cpc%7CSJ%7Cpc%7CC5%7Cpc%7CC9%7Cpc%7CS9%7Cpc%7CCT%7Cpc%7CD6%7Cpc%7CH8%7Cpc%7CCJ%7C]400|300[/hv]

 

Can anyone push GIB any harder to bid 3NT with Diamond stoppers ? No ! Yet he bids 4D instead of 3NT. What is the use of that 4D bid when 3NT is bypassed ? Am I to bid 4NT to play? GEEZZZ !?!?!?!?

[baraka]

And again...

 

[hv=lin=pn|baraka,~~M54043,~~M54041,~~M54042|st%7C%7Cmd%7C2S9QAH79QD479QKC59%2CS2567H268AD3C37QA%2CSTJKH4JKD56TJC8TJ%2C%7Crh%7C%7Cah%7CBoard%2012%7Csv%7Cn%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C1D%7Can%7CMinor%20suit%20opening%20--%203%2B%20%21D%3B%2011-21%20HCP%3B%20%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C1N%7Can%7C2-5%20%21C%3B%202-4%20%21D%3B%202-3%20%21H%3B%202-3%20%21S%3B%206-10%20HCP%3B%207%2B%20total%20points%20%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cd%7Can%7C3%2B%20%21C%3B%203%2B%20%21H%3B%203%2B%20%21S%3B%209-11%20HCP%3B%2012-%20total%20points%20%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7C2C%7Can%7C4%2B%20%21C%3B%2011-%20HCP%3B%2012-%20total%20points%20%7Cmb%7C2D%7Can%7C2%2B%20%21C%3B%205-%20%21D%3B%202%2B%20%21H%3B%202%2B%20%21S%3B%2011-14%20HCP%3B%20b%7Cmb%7Cd%7Can%7CTakeout%20double%20--%203%2B%20%21C%3B%203%2B%20%21H%3B%203%2B%20%21S%3B%2011%20HCP%3B%2012%20total%20points%20%7Cmb%7C2N%7Can%7C2-5%20%21C%3B%204%20%21D%3B%202-3%20%21H%3B%202-3%20%21S%3B%2010-%20HCP%3B%2010%2B%20total%20points%20%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cmb%7Cp%7Cpc%7CS3%7Cpc%7CSA%7Cpc%7CS2%7Cpc%7CST%7Cpc%7CD4%7Cpc%7CD3%7Cpc%7CDJ%7Cpc%7CD2%7Cpc%7CD5%7Cpc%7CDA%7Cpc%7CD7%7Cpc%7CH8%7Cpc%7CC6%7Cpc%7CC5%7Cpc%7CCA%7Cpc%7CC8%7Cpc%7CC3%7Cpc%7CCT%7Cpc%7CCK%7Cpc%7CC9%7Cpc%7CS8%7Cpc%7CSQ%7Cpc%7CS6%7Cpc%7CSJ%7Cpc%7CS9%7Cpc%7CS7%7Cpc%7CSK%7Cpc%7CS4%7Cpc%7CD6%7Cpc%7CD8%7Cpc%7CDK%7Cpc%7CH2%7Cpc%7CDQ%7Cpc%7CH6%7Cpc%7CDT%7Cpc%7CH3%7Cpc%7CD9%7Cpc%7CC7%7Cpc%7CH4%7Cpc%7CC4%7Cpc%7CH7%7Cpc%7CHA%7Cpc%7CHJ%7Cpc%7CH5%7Cpc%7CS5%7Cpc%7CHK%7Cpc%7CC2%7Cpc%7CH9%7Cpc%7CCQ%7Cpc%7CCJ%7Cpc%7CHT%7Cpc%7CHQ%7C]400|300[/hv]

 

My 2nd bid is pass signaling minimum. So, when I bid 2D GIB should realise I'm just competing. What's the point of bidding 2NT ? Why not pass or bid 3D ? He's got 4 of them and knows I'm gonna be short clubs and he has no C stoppers ?!?!?! Exactly the opposite of the previous hand. You want him to bid NT, he does'nt ! You dont want him to bid NT, he does !

[baraka]

So what is 1NT-2♦; 3♥ now?

 

From what I've seen yesterday, 3H is still super-accept with doubleton D.

[1eyedjack]

I suppose it is an improvement. If you have a doubleton Diamond and exceptionally as opener you judge that 3H would be better declared by responder (if too weak for game) then at least now you get a choice. Quite extraordinary prioritisation of resources to put that in place, it seems to me.And I wonder how GIB would choose between 3D and 3H when opener and faced with the transfer.

[barmar]

From what I've seen yesterday, 3H is still super-accept with doubleton D.

I just checked. The description is:

 

Superaccept; -- 2-4 ♣; 2-4 ♦; 4-5 ♥; 2-4 ♠; 17 HCP; 18- total points

 

It's still a super-accept, but doesn't show any specific distribution of the other suits.

[1eyedjack]

I just checked. The description is:

 

Superaccept; -- 2-4 ♣; 2-4 ♦; 4-5 ♥; 2-4 ♠; 17 HCP; 18- total points

 

It's still a super-accept, but doesn't show any specific distribution of the other suits.

My interest-level is being challenged, but is there any clue about when *GIB* would bid 3H in preference to the various other transfer breaks?

[jdonn]

My interest-level is being challenged, but is there any clue about when *GIB* would bid 3H in preference to the various other transfer breaks?

Never, it will always show its doubleton, but if the human bids 3H it will just understand it as no distributional message about the outside suits in particular. This was just an attempt at simplification since some users weren't understanding the substitution principle.

[jdonn]

Big problem with super acceptance with doubleton in transfering suit. Now responder cant stop in 3 with garbage after a super accept ! Please restore the old method.

Responder can stop in 3, he just can't have opener declare if he wants to stop in 3 and opener has specifically the highest doubleton. It's (arguably) worse technically, but more easily understood by all the users. Please understand that GIB has to bid in a way that bridge players of all level can enjoy using, which means not always playing a system that may be technically perfect.