[ArcLight]

Being relatively new to Bridge one of my greatest weaknesses is not counting cards (distribution) and points effectively.

I would like to practice count signals but no one seems to use them (below expert level, and I've seen plenty of weak 'Advanced ' players). Since I'm not an expert I don't want to lie and change my rating to 'expert' just so they will play with me. It would be unfair to them.

I'm thinking of buying a program such as GIB, and working on improving my card counting.

Does this seem worthwhile?

What Bridge playing software would you recommend? (I have all of Mike Lawrences software, and we all know about Bridge Master).

Can I use GIB to suggest a bid? Or a card? And explain why?
For example, if I want to return a suit, will GIB tell me which card to return to show count, or at least show its thinking so if I return the wrong card I can see that I screwed up its thinking.

To clarify - I want to practice using count, don't want to read "how to use Count" (I have Mike Lawrences DEFENSE software and Bill Roots HOW TO DEFEND A BRIDGE HAND, both classics)

[inquiry]

Play on line, at BBO it is more fun than the software programs anyway.

If you want to practice counting, there are several ways. Kitibz a fast playing table and choose the option where you can see only one hand. Spend your whole time trying to count the hand rahter than figure out how you would play it.

Ben