Bridge - Page 638 - Puzzles and Other Games Forum

Open only 1NT on this hand if your partner is terrible

Everything points against it, not only are you one HCP short, you have no soft values, no heart stopper, high cards that do well in a suit contract and no bidding problems to be foreseen after a standard 1D opener.

Quote

01-17-2018 , 02:27 AM

#15927

chuckleslovakian

LYNCH DURRON597

Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 35,894

http://webutil.bridgebase.com/v2/tvi...01&u=babushkka

Ship it

Sure there was some luck involved, but you gotta shoot for the fences to win a 10000 player tourney

Quote

01-17-2018 , 11:08 AM

#15928

DWetzel

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 42,349

lol 6C

Quote

01-18-2018 , 01:02 AM

#15929

chuckleslovakian

LYNCH DURRON597

Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 35,894

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWetzel

lol 6C

I was also fond of the Ad cash on board 1

Quote

02-26-2018 , 04:49 AM

#15930

chuckleslovakian

LYNCH DURRON597

Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 35,894

**** **** ****ing bridge

(Why must GNTs hate me?)

Quote

03-09-2018 , 09:56 PM

#15931

Chocaholic2

enthusiast

Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 69

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocaholic2

After several false starts over the years, I'm trying to make a serious effort to learn this game. I've browsed this thread off and on for a while, and I have a few questions. Right now, I know the rules and basic bidding (SAYC) and card play principles. And in case it's relevant, I'm a decent chess player (~2000 elo) and pretty experienced with other trick-taking card games (hearts, spades, euchre, etc).

Questions:

1) As a chess player, the idea that all bidding calls/card plays must be made quickly and in tempo is very strange. How do you guys make these complicated decisions so quickly? Is it considered acceptable as declarer to think for a little while (~30 seconds) after the opening lead?

2) Related to 1, I've been playing a lot of solitaire bridge against the BBO robots because at least for now, I don't feel like I'm learning anything if I'm not taking my time with decisions. But is this counter-productive? Should I be playing with BBO randos instead?

3) Right now, the only bridge resources I have are The ABCs of Bridge, this forum, and BBO. Are there other books I should buy/articles I should read?

4) I have a general sense of how doubling and vulnerability affect scoring, but I haven't memorized the values. Should I do that? Are precise calculations necessary during gameplay? I imagine they might be for sacrifices/penalty doubles.

5) I still suck at counting cards. Any tips on this? Do you guys count from 0 as the tricks are played, or from however many cards have been revealed (e.g. 8 spades between declarer and dummy, so count the remaining 5 as opponents play them).

6) Does anybody want to play some teaching games on BBO?

Update: I've become a bit obsessed, and have been playing lots of BBO/duplicate/casual games (but will not make it up to Philly, unfortunately). I'm also working my way through the Watson book. I still feel like I know nothing and make basic errors all the time, but there are limited signs of progress. In that vein, I'd love to play some BBO games if anyone is interested. Username is daldrich00, and I'm generally free later in the evening EST.

Quote

03-10-2018 , 04:27 AM

#15932

chuckleslovakian

LYNCH DURRON597

Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 35,894

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocaholic2

I'm about to throw you an 8 board robot challenge match. I've had a few beers but I am fairly decent even while legally drunk. But massive error is possible.

On another note. Today at the club I had a 0 HCP hand. If that wasn't bad enough 90 year old grandma squeezed me to take all 13 tricks. Pretty sure I have never been squeezed before with 0 HCP.

But it was a swiss game so it didn't matter a lick, in fact it was kind of cool to be squeezed with 0 HCP.

(Txxx and 9xxx in the red suits, partner had QJ tight in one of the suits, and yeah.)

EDIT:

I can't play the boards until you accept a friend request, so sorry, will be more sober if you accept challenge

Quote

03-11-2018 , 01:39 PM

#15933

g-bebe

because robots are strong

Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 22,860

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chocaholic2

added, I'm gnsbbo on BBO

Quote

03-12-2018 , 12:13 AM

#15934

chuckleslovakian

LYNCH DURRON597

Join Date: Aug 2005 Posts: 35,894

so

feedmykids finished 4th in the platinum pairs

and cameo guest to this thread thorladen won it

Quote

03-12-2018 , 12:48 AM

#15935

Wyman

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 13,006

wtg guys!

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03-15-2018 , 12:05 AM

#15936

Chocaholic2

enthusiast

Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 69

BBO anybody?

Quote

03-15-2018 , 05:08 PM

#15937

brrrrr

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 4,371

i'd be down for a 2p2 team game. anyone else around?

Quote

03-15-2018 , 05:09 PM

#15938

brrrrr

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Dec 2009 Posts: 4,371

choc, i added you on bbo. will shoot you a message if i see you online (though i admit i dont log on much anymore)

Quote

03-18-2018 , 07:37 PM

#15939

g-bebe

because robots are strong

Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 22,860

Yeah haven't seen many people on lately mind you we usually play Sundays and I imagine a lot can't make that.

Quote

03-24-2018 , 03:55 PM

#15940

sixfour

should be called sevenfour

Join Date: Dec 2005 Posts: 74,707

I'm always down for games, but being in the other side of the pond makes timings really bad. Could obv play some challenges for a laugh (still FrankerZ on BBO)

Quote

03-26-2018 , 02:29 PM

#15941

g-bebe

because robots are strong

Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 22,860

Played a full sectional this week, 160 boards over two two-session pairs games and 56 boards of Swiss teams. Always come out of sectionals feeling stronger about my game, that amount of reps in that short of a time does wonders.

Quote

04-19-2018 , 11:24 AM

#15942

g-bebe

because robots are strong

Join Date: Feb 2007 Posts: 22,860

Put up 70.09% in our spring national rookie-master game, looking at past years results should be very close to nationwide #1. First time breaking 70.

Quote

04-23-2018 , 03:56 PM

#15943

DWetzel

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 42,349

Any chance I can get a pair to play against on BBO at about 7:30 ET tonight? Wife and I need some pre-regional practice and haven't been to the club in quite a while.

Quote

04-24-2018 , 11:39 AM

#15944

Myrmidon7328

veteran

Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,133

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWetzel

Any chance I can get a pair to play against on BBO at about 7:30 ET tonight? Wife and I need some pre-regional practice and haven't been to the club in quite a while.

I can play then but I don't have a partner. Honestly, haven't been on BBO in a while, but trying to get back to playing regularly.

Quote

04-24-2018 , 12:18 PM

#15945

DWetzel

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 42,349

Well that was yesterday. There may be other times though.

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04-24-2018 , 03:53 PM

#15946

Myrmidon7328

veteran

Join Date: Dec 2007 Posts: 2,133

I'm bad at reading, but in general would be interested in playing on BBO again!

Quote

04-24-2018 , 04:32 PM

#15947

Chocaholic2

enthusiast

Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 69

Also interested in BBO games, although I'm probably not at the right level for DWetzel's regional tune-up practice. I've been inundating chuck with challenge matches, but some live hands would be cool.

Quote

04-24-2018 , 04:38 PM

#15948

DWetzel

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 42,349

Will happily take on all comers, as long as you don't mind being on the opposing side of some Precision auctions and don't mind us occasionally taking a couple minutes to talk a hand through. We ain't THAT good.