[Echognome]

JanM said:

I don't think your comment that the midchart should be extended (although isn't it up to club owners whether to use it at local games? And up to Units and Districts whether to use it at Sectionals and Regionals? Or am I hopelessly out of date?)

I'm pretty sure this is my ignorance. I should have stated then that it's a shame we don't see more.

JanM said:

I confess, however, that another comment in this thread that I wondered about was yours:
"Of course we'd all rather have our butts kicked by the superstars, so that we can (1) say we played against the best, (2) brag about any good boards we had, and (3) get some insight on how the best play the game."

It seems to me that nowadays that isn't often true - people don't seem to want to play in events where there will be "superstars." We see a huge proliferation of stratified events so new and advancing players never have to (or seem to want to) play against the best. That trend bothers me a lot more than the issues regarding convention restrictions. How are we going to replace our ageing superstars if so many people want to stay in their safe little "ponds"? I realize that these forums are probably not an appropriate place to complain about that mindset, since I suspect that you probably represent a majority position here, and I'm certainly grateful for that.

I can certainly only speak for myself as that is how I feel. Most of the people I talk with and play with would rather play against the best. But, I'm also sure many people would rather not play in anything other than their local club game. I'm just surprised there is such a mindset amongst tournament players.

[ArcLight]

>It seems to me that nowadays that isn't often true - people don't seem to want to play in events where there will be "superstars."

Larry Cohen has an article on his website about some pair that was upset to face him and David Berkowitz. I'd LOVE that. Its like a free lesson. Maybe you can even ask them a question like "how would you have bid with my cards"? Larry seems like anice guy, maybe he'd tell you.

I challenge all you stars. C'mon, lets fight.
You and your star pard against me and ... well I'll dredge up someone.

(note - this is a joke, don't get upset. No star will waste their time with me, and no one will fight)

[glen]

Ask Larry about "Anyway, I bided my team by raising to 3♦ to await developments" - and they say that bridge is a timed event. The article is quite good: Biding My Time article

[ArcLight]

>I'm sure he would answer your question, but it's very annoying when this happens (to me anyways) at the table.

I meant that in jest.

I WOULD like to play against Larry, but I would assume he's there to WIN. He's not there to be my pal.

> Generally the mindset is on winning and killing your opponents not on answering their bridge questions. And often these questions come when RHO and LHO had a misunderstanding or a disagreement, and they ask you to judge. This is not a fair position to be put in. It seems very presumptuous to ask bridge pros that you don't know very well for free advice while theyre playing (which is their job).

I agree, I shouldn't have written that. I was kidding.