Fay was telling me that the Italians are now leading high from honor-honor-two blanks-pip

e.g., KQ9*, JT7*, ...

Anyway, don't look if you haven't made your decision yet.

It totally depends on everything. If it sounds like your partner might be short, you should lead low to try and unblock the suit.

If you have no entry, you should usually lead HIGH imo unless you're playing for exactly Ax with partner and a 3-3 split. This is a huge mistake I see people make, leading low.

Whether you have KQ9 or KQ8 or KQT is a big difference also.

And finally, MP scoring makes a huge difference. Low is often best at imps because its the simplest route to beating the contract, high is often right at MP.

On this hand we got no raise of spades from partner, and the opps bid and rebid both red suits. It really sounds to me like partner has 3+ clubs (sure he could be 2542 or something, but that is against the odds).

When partner has 3 clubs we don't need to lead low ever really, except in some stiff ace positions sometimes. Leading high caters to us not dropping an overtrick sometimes, and caters to Jx with Txx in partners hand (since we have an entry). High also caters to stiff J and AJ doubleton.

When partner has FOUR clubs high is obv usually better, catering to missing the AJ and them being 2-2, or stiff J. It might lose to stiff A again though.

Overall I'd recommend you just try to think critically about the hand and what you're trying to achieve. What if RHO was marked with 4 clubs and you chose to lead the suit? Definitely low. Etc etc, it just depends on what you know.

I would say as a good general rule at imps you should be leading low, and at MP high, from KQ9xx. But most people lead low from both without thinking about it much.

Gruncherooni:

1. King of clubs; second choice spade interior honor of system, third choice little club.

2. Texas to game; close second choice transfer to hearts and see if partner super-accepts with something exciting.

I don't understand how to play bridge. Anyone want to take some time out and help me?? =DD

please?

If you're willing to take the time to learn, download the software from this page. It's very good.

1. 6C

2. 2D/4D. I don't really get why folks aren't splintering. But then, most of you are better than me.

Danged fine post. You made me think. Thanks.

V

http://bridgewinners.com/running-live-scores

Live scores from the WBS. Incidentally, my friend (and basically my greatest bridge influence) Mark is playing on the Rumelhart team in the round of 64 against Lou Ann O'Rourke and co. right now.

In case you're bored at work and want a sweat...

not looking so good right now :-\

They've been on the wrong side of almost every decision this quarter. At both tables.

http://bridgewinners.com/running-live-scores

This time, check out USA1 (and USA2) in the junior (U-26) teams.

gogogo kfay (who some of you know (of)) and brrrr, et al.

my gf and i had drinks last night with kfay, chiu (kfay's p), dan wolkowitz (teammate). Good times. Met up with brrrr, fmk, and rogerclee, but those guys I guess went their separate ways to dinner/drinks, etc.

We also saw thorladen in the lobby, and he came over and chatted with us for a minute. Overall, a pretty solid night, definitely glad we made the drive. Planning on spending the weekend at a friend's place in Philly, so hopefully more drinking and carrying on to ensue.

So gogogo USA1 in today's rounds of the junior round-robin, and gogogo thor in his KO in the Rosenblum Cup.

edit: AND fay and ch00 are leading the Butler (imps/bd played) in their event, so another gogogogo

Very nice, wish I could be up there...

Anyways, time for adventures in balancing vulnerable at matchpoints

2
J532
AK2
Q8732

P-P-P-1D
P-1S-P-1NT
?

876
KQ87
QT2
K76

P-P-1D(5+)-P
2D-P-P-?

742
A92
AQ73
K53

1H-P-1NT-P
P-?

All MPs, all vul

I hate balancing out 1NT, but maybe someone can set me straight on that.

Number 2 seems like a mandatory double, no? You're probably only playing in a 4-3 fit 20-30% of the time?

I think I like 2 for #1.

Double for #2

Pass for #3

I'd double the first two but 2D is a little aggro on the 3rd, even for me.

I'm actually kinda hoping partner sits for the X on 1.

Not sure if anyone has seen the Simpsons this week, but there is actually a bridge reference.

1. Pass, but I can see X.

2. X, but I can see pass.

3. Pass, AINEC.

If this ever ends up on youtube or something can someone link it (or can you give an episode title or something)?

It is on Hulu and it is the most current episode. Moneybart.

The bridge reference is very fleeting, and occurs very early in the episode.

The episode also features a very dark opening sequence.

I think I'm going with the X,X,P camp there.

Honestly, I think 1NX would be a great spot for #1, unless partner has a weak 6-7 count, in which case he'll pull anyways.

On the second hand, I'm going to double, if only to push them up. I'm not sure about you guys, but I tend to get really bad boards when I let the opps play in a suited contract at the two level.

I think I grudgingly pass on the third one. I could definitely see 2D, since we're very likely going to get a spade lead otherwise. Partner should figure out that we're missing something since we didn't overcall at the first go. 2D may be lead directing, or it may put them in 2H, which may be better for us anyways. That said, we're vulnerable, and it's very possible that neither of us have a fit. So pass, but 2D isn't as bad as I initially thought.

1 is a big pass for me. (Even in balancing seat it would be a big pass for me.) Great way to give up 200 or 500 against 90 or 120.

2 nothing bad will happen if you come back in.

3 I pass but I feel bad about it and worry that we have been conned.

W/W MPs

A T 9
9 5
A K Q 9 8 6
Q 4

LHO deals and opens 2, two passes to me. Is there anything here other than 3? I feel like partner thinks I can balance with a lot less, and to be honest, I don't need much from him for 3N. What range should 2N show in the balancing seat here? 11-14 with the weak 2 stopped?

What about 4 ?

4D is bad, as your most likely par spot (3NT) is gone.

2NT is acceptable — partner shouldn't transfer to hearts unless he's planning on offering 3NT as an alternative, or his hand is extremely heart-oriented. (Also notice that RHO's failure to raise means pard is sort of likely to think notrump is OK.) 3D is also not terrible imo.

At IMPs I probably bid 3NT.

3n from me too