Help
Mbodell, on Sep 17 2009, 01:38 AM, said:
MattieShoe, on Sep 16 2009, 09:37 PM, said:
I'm convinced :-) Next time I'll just do a reverse and hopefully partner won't pass me out. It's dicey sometimes playing with random partners in the relaxed bridge room. Sometimes dicey for my partners too! 
While this is true, I've learned that unless you are playing in some sort of hugely important (for you) event it is best not to mastermind and best to just make the right bid and assume your partner will also make the right bid. This is the good thing to do because:
1. When your partner is also making the right bid and understanding the right bid then you are playing like good players would.
2. It is good practice to make the right decisions for when you are playing with better partners in the future.
3. You may help your partner learn the right bids.
4. You want to know what the right bids are so you can understand what your good opponents are doing.
5. Good people who observe you doing the right thing are more likely to play with you in the future (partners, kibitzers, and opponents can all be evaluating your calls).
6. You can vent to your friends (online or here in BBF) when your partner does some crazy thing like pass your reverse.
I agree! I try not to get gun-shy with partners and mastermind the bidding. I do avoid some artificial conventions like splinters when playing with a beginner. Shall I vent?
Passing out 2♣ opening, that I even alerted as artificial and strong.
Responding 2NT over intervening bid because 1NT wasn't available. (6 points, 4333 dist, opponent's suit NOT stopped)
Passing 2♣ 2♦ 2♠ sequence.
Passing out 2NT opener with 9 points and 6 card major. (?!)
Bidding 4♦ over 3NT when they have NT distribution, a 4 card diamond suit, and a mediocre hand.
Misunderstanding a bid or making a poor bid happens sometimes and usually they don't repeat it over and over again. My bigger issues are usually with their play, not their bidding.
In notrump, going for a 2-deep finesse in a 5 card fit rather than attacking the 9 card fit headed by AK9. Taking losers early seems to be the hardest thing for beginners and man, it stings in notrump. And they do it over and over and over again!
The funny part is they think I'm sort of genius when I actually attack the long suit in that situation. Avoiding playing trump like the plague with 9 card fit and no crossruff potential because it's headed by KJ. Suck it up, take your losers, prevent their trumping your good tricks! ARG!
I make plenty of mistakes too, and I'm good natured about mistakes... I never throw tantrums, but sometimes I admit my blood pressure goes up a notch or two when that stuff happens :-)
The other one that annoyed me recently... I was dealt a 3NT opener for the first time ever (26HCP, 4-3-3-3, all suits stopped... perfect!) and partner left, and a defender switched seats to my partner causing an automatic redeal. I was so mad! :-)