[1eyedjack]

Agree a default algorithm for the meaning of doubles. More points are won and lost through misinterpreting whether a double is orientated for takeout v penalty than in any other area of the game, IMO, including whether 4NT is Blackwood or quant. If the algorithm gives rise to occasional situations where the definition is absurd, it will more than pay for itself in lack of misunderstandings.

[mycroft]

If you have a choice of calls, and one choice limits your hand, make that one. Do what you can, in fact, to limit your hand as soon as reasonable.

When you've limited your hand, partner is Captain. Don't overrule him unless it's blindingly obvious.

Confusing bids are forcing (or CBF under game, to play above).

If you psych, and it doesn't work, it's your fault. No matter how dense partner was, no matter how much of a hash he made of the rest of the auction and the play, it's 100% your fault. Of course, if it works, you get 50% of the credit!

If at all possible, don't torture partner. The more he has to think to work out what you're doing on this hand, the less he is going to be able to think about the next 20.

Michael.

[P_Marlowe]

Since I mentioned it in another thread:

Be prepared to get robbed, and accept it, if the cards
dont allow you to fight back.

From S.J. Simon
"It is a well known fact that the Poker player who is never bluffed
is a losing player.
So is the bridge player who is never psyched."

Chapter "They can'f Fool Me!" from "Why you loose at Bridge"

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Al_U_Card]

Whenever pass is a legitimate alternative to bidding, PASS!

[cherdano]

"The best biddint tool I know (...) is to visualize a typical minimum hand for my own previous bidding and compare the actual hand with that."
Danny Kleinman (Bridge World 6/2005, p. 27).

[cherdano]

Al_U_Card, on Oct 11 2005, 09:24 PM, said:

Whenever pass is a legitimate alternative to bidding, PASS!

This tip really surprises me. I would guess the opposite tip "Bid whenever there is a good reason to bid." would get spontaneous expert support much more often...

[EricK]

Before making an invitational bid ask yourself if you have told partner where your values are. If you haven't it may not be a good idea to invite.

eg the bidding starts 1♣ 1♥ 1♠ 2♠ and you want to invite game in ♠. If your ♣ are something like Txxxx then your partner might very well go wrong (passing with a singleton ♣, but upgrading ♣Qx) so it might be a good idea to pass or blast game. But if your ♣ are KJxxx then partner is likely to be able to make the correct decision if you invite.

Eric

[Al_U_Card]

cherdano, on Oct 11 2005, 02:56 PM, said:

Al_U_Card, on Oct 11 2005, 09:24 PM, said:

Whenever pass is a legitimate alternative to bidding, PASS!

This tip really surprises me. I would guess the opposite tip "Bid whenever there is a good reason to bid." would get spontaneous expert support much more often...

Perhaps the phrasing was difficult......if you can pass, knowing that partner has another bid or that he will balance when appropriate, then pass can allow a better description of your hand when you do make your next call.....(also applies to some of those freakish hands where,once passed, you can bid them to the hilt and pard will know that you don't have opening values)

[P_Marlowe]

cherdano, on Oct 11 2005, 02:56 PM, said:

Al_U_Card, on Oct 11 2005, 09:24 PM, said:

Whenever pass is a legitimate alternative to bidding, PASS!

This tip really surprises me. I would guess the opposite tip "Bid whenever there is a good reason to bid." would get spontaneous expert support much more often...

The tips are not contrary to each other, because the excuse for bidding,
will be "fit", and the absence of a fit, will be the reason, that pass
is a legitimate alternative, at least most of the time.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[pigpenz]

Jesus Saves, at favorable vulnerability

[42]

With 6-5 come alive

discussion/explanation -> http://forums.bridge...showtopic=10445

[Rebound]

At IMPs, do not stretch to invite, but stretch to accept.

[han]

Fluffy, on Oct 6 2005, 08:48 PM, said:

Do not ask when you can describe

Do not decide when you can describe.

Do not do anything else when you can describe actually. When good describing bid is a vaible just use it.

I cant count the numebr of times I've seen people making cue bids to show their strenght hoping for partner to bid the suit they have, then blame him for not guessing what he was holding. Just bid what you have. Also applies for making take out doubles with your own suit. Just bid it! .

For an alternative view:

Do not describe, just bid 3NT and try to make it.

[Al_U_Card]

Rebound, on Oct 19 2005, 07:23 AM, said:

At IMPs, do not stretch to invite, but stretch to accept.

Not the way I learned it at my mother's knee and other joints.......invite with a min and bid game with a max (invitational hand or opening hand).

[Al_U_Card]

Another goody is "When they bid 4H they either have something or they have nothing in S." (and vice versa)