[elwood913]

Hi,

I just read in a recent post that somebody "ran a hand through a simulator." I don't know anything about simulators, but I think I would love them! Can someone give me some info on them? What types of functions can they perform (in the example the poster knew his hand and the opening bid and ran a simulation to see how different actions would turn out--I think). Are they readily available as software for my computer? If there are options, can you give some recommendations?

Thanks,
Bill

[P_Marlowe]

Hi,

have a look at

http://bridge.thomasoandrews.com/deal/

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Stephen Tu]

http://forums.bridge...showtopic=21694

has recommendations.

The basic idea is that you use a dealer program to generate semi-random sets of deals that fit certain sets of constraints, like one or more hands known or hands that would fit the bidding. Then, you analyze how various actions will turn out either by hand or by double dummy analysis (possibly single dummy analysis if you have suitable program, some way to script it, and tons of time to let it run). Double dummy of course gets you much bigger sample sizes than you can do by hand, but one has to be careful about conclusions especially in high level contracts. E.g. Double dummy is always going to make grand slams that involve multiple 2-way hooks for Qs, but in real life you don't want to be there. Vs. game & lower contracts on average it is believed that double-dummy approaches real life results.

It helps to have some bit of background in computer programming so that you can program in exactly the constraints you want, and count exactly the results you are looking for. Some members with lower competency in this area have posted sim results to this forum with highly flawed conclusions because of mistakes they made in inputs to the programs.

[ArcLight]

http://www.dealmaster.com/

this is a nice software package

[elwood913]

Hi,

I checked out the links here including Stephen's link to the recent forum post on this topic. All great stuff.

Thanks all,
Bill