[AAr]

They are fun, but I notice that, unlike in Best Hand, where all I get is partscore hands, it is difficult to get them in Bingo (when you need to often sign-off at partscore with game cold to fill those partscore squares). It seems very difficult to play in partscore contracts in competitive bidding auctions. (If only I could catch my same partscore fever in Bingo than I could in Best Hand. Even most of the contracts I'm forced to DEFEND are game!)

So, is the best strategy is to play partscores like 1NT, 2H, 2S, 3H, or 3S if you need to make those bids to fill your card, even if you almost know that game is a sure thing, before trying to fill the 3NT, 4H, and 4S squares (as you will often get to those contracts in competitve contracts, sometimes making, sometimes even doubled).

One more thing: The Bingo Tourneys are fun, but my one big complaint is having to earn the first redeal. For the $1 tourneys, it puts too much luck element and to little strategic element. IMO, you should start with one redeal and earn additional redeals per every plus 500 points scored. However, is it good strategy to bid a game or even slam early (even if it's not on the bingo card) to build redeals (which could be handy if you can use one instead of having to defend or to play a contract that's not on the card or not making)?

Of course, I often see players score Bingo still with 20 minutes (or more!) on the 25 Minute Clock, but I do love how you could still just make the points by only needing one square (to get to "BING") if not enough players score Bingo within the 25 Minutes. I do think that the clock should be 15 minutes instead of 25 minutes as the majority of the Bingo tourneys I've played in, enough players have scored Bingo with 10-15 Minutes still on the Clock that I'm already out of the points.

And, is it true that I might as well withdraw if, say, I'm playing in a four-player tourney (needing to place second or higher), and two players have already scored Bingo? Or, should I just try to finish for the fun of it? Or, just try to fill as many squares as possible without Bingo-ing?

Lastly, although I will play with only two or three total players, and usually have only such when I do play Bingo, it does seem like a better game the times there are 7+ people. I think only played once when there are 10+ people.





Input, please. Thanks!

[barmar]

Take a look at http://webutil.bridg...etch.php?id=879 for Leftfoot's Bingo strategies. This was posted a few days ago in BBO Today.

[diana_eva]

We can probably create a list of contracts and how to reach them in Bingo. For example:

1 something - wait for your robot partner to open and pass whatever he opens, regardless of how many points you have. You usually have more points than him, so even in a 2-3 fit you can probably make a 1st level contract.
2 ♣ - with a reasonable hand with clubs open 1nt, and hope your partner bids stayman. Then pass. Or open 1c and rebid 2c over whatever partner bids.
2 ♦ - open 1d and rebid 2d, even with 4 of them. Or open 2c and pass partner's 2d relay (this works better with a really strong hand, as GIB answers 2nt with 8+ bal)
2 ♥/♠ - open 2nd level with any strong hand with major. Or, if partner is passed hand, open 1M and rebid 2M over whatever he bids

etc....Don't have time to make a full list right now, but I'll continue later.

I am sure more experienced Bingo players can add some good ideas.

[barmar]

Aren't some of those in Leftfoot's page?

Every time I try the "open 2M" trick, GIB raises me.