[patroclo]

In the bidding training room the opponents always pass.This is not useful for learning bid.
Gigi

[soldatoJ]

I agree with you, but it should be hardly impossible for opponent's (computers) to compete the auction.

I think that some "default" opening by opponent's can be possible when they deal, say they will open some natural biddings, 1S = 12 + HCP and 5 card suit or 2S = weak 2 with 6 card spade

Or the user can set it as default opening for the opponent, then it should be better to train bidding after opponent's open or preempt

[julie5607]

One "solution" if you are giving or receiving lessons is to use a training table rather than a partnership bidding table and have the teacher sit in three seats, the student in one.  This way the student gets a real feel for bidding in competition, as the teacher will definitely bid all three hands she is playing.

The only problem with that, of course, is that the hands brought up are random, not constrained as in partnership bidding.  However, in a previous thread I requested that the two types of tables be combined in some way, and was assured that was being worked on for a future release.  

Until then, even random hands with a teacher bidding all three can be a good lesson in bidding in competition.  And overall, even not combined, the Partnership bidding and the Teaching tables are the best bridge training tools I have seen on-line, by far.

Julie

[mishovnbg]

Many programs of bridge bidding already exist...
But i think that in partnership bidding room can be make more simple and more usefull addition. You can simple define opponent opening/intervention, how you do it with partners hands. Fred, please Fred, heeeeelp :
Misho

[uday]

Someday, someday.
We're hoping to achieve this particular functionality someday by hooking into GIB on the client. If anyone knows of freely distributable software that can do the same thing, i'll consider using it.

But, not for a bit. We've got a bunch of other (we think) higher prio stuff to get out of the way first.

[Rado]

Hi all,

One simple decision until Fred and Uday develop real overcalls:

when practising with P just write in the chat:

"Partner let's now assume my LHO overcall 1Sp after my 1C opening and pls bid on" - so Partner may bid from 1NT and UP, the only problem is that he cannot DBL so must bid pass and write DBL in the chat. (note that suddenly we have 10 cards fir in Sp, the we may call it psyche:-))))))))n

My proposal might look funny but it works and helps to practise your bidding in more realistic situation:-)))))

Another good idea for the future:

Fred and Uday please think about incorporating some bidding tests with evaluation of the final contracts - something similar as in bridge magazines. Also we may arrange "Solver's club" where problem hands to be discussed together with the tests.

Best regards, Rado

[inquiry]

Quote

Fred and Uday please think about incorporating some bidding tests with evaluation of the final contracts - something similar as in bridge magazines. Also we may arrange "Solver's club" where problem hands to be discussed together with the tests.

This is a good idea, but we don't have to wait for Fred and Uday. You could do it Rado. You could be the moderator and find the hands and pose the puzzle. The problem is first good reply, I would then agree with and be a genius...

But to start off the idea, here is a hand I played in BBO tournment with Dawn (thanks Dawn)....

MP, non vul, partner deals

S-74
H-KQJT7
D-AQ9
C-KT9

Opponents silent... bidding... your 1NT opening bids are 15-17.

Pard You
1D 1H
1NT ?

Your bid.

[Rado]

4He

I think we must have a period just to post answers without any comments and after to open the topic for comments and point awards:-)

Rado

(BTW Ben finding trump squeeze at live play and being good moderator are different things LOL - so I thank you for you proposal but have to decline. Anyway will be my pleasure to help for arranging "BBO Solver's Club")

[luis]

Even at matchpoints 4h should be a better contract than 3nt, chances of 4h+1 are really good and that would surely beat chances of 3nt+2.
So my bid is also 4h.
Note: There're some chances of slam in hearts in this hand. Example: Axx, Kx, Kxxxx, Qxx.

[inquiry]

Yes, of course Rado and Luis are right IMHO. At the table only 1 player found the 4Heart bid over 1NT and earned a 100% score as the entire field played 3NT (well one pair was in 6NT if I remember right), most after using 2C as "nmf" to check for that precious 5-3 major fit. Your partner with an utterly yucky minimum only had 2H's so the checkbackers of course ended up in 3NT.

S-AKx
H-xx
D-KJxx
C-Jxxx

But this is the kind of hand I could imagine for Rado's recommended contest. Then the merits of 2C (nmf) versus 2D (two way checkback), versus 3NT (don't tell the enemy anything more about the hand) versus 3C (partner may pass 2C), versus 3H (well I got hearts) versus 4H (rado said to do it) would be interesting....

Ben

[luis]

I agree, it's a nice hand to check the "use and abuse" of the fancy checkbackers, new minor forcing and others.
After pd limited his hand I think the only sensible option is 4h.
A slam may be playable in about 10% of the hands so no need to further investigations and why ask for 3 hearts if you have KQJTx ?.

IDEA:

Can we create a "master BBO solvers" forum where only the moderator can post? Then the moderator can post a monthly set of say... 8 bidding problems and receive answers/comments from BBOF users by private messaging. The moderator should be in charge of collecting the answers from panelists and BBO posters and then publish a monthly report with the comments, rates for each bid, etc.....
The moderator can be "rotated" each month to relieve a poor guy from the hard work each month.
Panelists can be Fred, and other well known stars in the BBO community.
The winner each month can win some software from BBO (or a t-shirt or something) and be invited as a panelist for the next month....

What do you think?

[Codo]

Hi experts:

S-AKx xx
H-xx KQJT7
D-KJxx AQ9
C-Jxxx KT9

Lets say, you can see all cards and have to bid the final contract:

First: What will happen after a spade lead and return and hearts are not worse then 4-2:

In 3 NT: You have: 2S, 4 H, 4D
In 4 Heart: 2 Spade 4 Heart 4 Diamonds and give at least 50 % for a club trick. A little fear, that diamonds are 5-1, but that should be no real problem...
So after a spade lead and continuation 4 Heart is a clear winner.

Other lead: Club:
3 NT: depends on the layout of the clubs 10 or 11 tricks, very unusual lay outs not looked for.

4 Heart: With Clubs 42 I need some luck to make my game,

Even after a spade lead, there are some layouts, where a club switch will still beat the contract.

So obviously at bbo the defends did not find a club lead, or clubs had been 3-3...

But why should 4 Heart then be the master bid, even in MPs?

Kind Regards

Roland

[Rado]

Hi Roland,

You are right that 4He may go down on some layouts (singleton Cl lead with ACl+AHe at his partner), as well there are other possible hands for 1Di opener:
Axx xx KJxx AJxx,
Kxx xx KJxx AQxx,
xxx Ax Kxxx AQxx,
Qxx xx KJxxx AQx
KQx xx Kxxx AQxx
even xxx Ax KJxxx AQx
and many many others where the normal SP lead (strongly suggested by the bidding sofar) may simply ruin 3NT while 4He still have some chances:-))))))
Regards, Rado

[luis]

4 hearts is statistically better at MPs. You have more chances to take 10 tricks in hearts than in NT with that hand and if you take 10 tricks in NT you may take 11 tricks in hearts easily.

You can construct as many hands as you want where 4h is worst than 3nt but there are far more hands where 4h is better than 3nt.
Try it using any dealing program. Deal or simulate as many hands as you want and check how many tricks do you take in hearts and in NT.

I'm sure the simulation will answer the question.

Judgement is just the ability to simulate using your head.