[pbleighton]

"The world of pick-up partners often stinks. It is true that partners should not leave in the middle of the game, but they will. Just like in ftf bridge partners shold not criticize partner, but they do. The answer, in online or ftf, is to find compatible partners. It may take a little while, but it is worth the effort."

I completely agree. I used to play with pickup partners for half of my bridge. Now I rarely play pickup.

Peter

[mycroft]

The problem with pickup is this:

1) There aren't many PEBKACs out there (in this case, literally - the problem exists between keyboard and chair. I'd like to use another word, but it's forbidden, even if exquisitely accurate). Say 1 in 30.
2) If you play pickup long enough, you're going to hit one or two of them. And they are extremely annoying, especially the ones that don't get it (like I saw at an indi I kibitzed last night). So, one of two things happen:
3a) You get frustrated enough and leave the scene (be it BBO or the local club). This removes you from the pickup pool.
3b) You play pickup a bit more with the intention of finding a couple of sympas, hook up with them and play only with them (and their other partners, as you meet them as opponents). This takes *both of you* out of the pickup pool.
4) This happens to a lot of people in the pickup pool. But the PEBCAKs never find a compatible partner - that's why they're always playing pickup. So...
1, again) There aren't many PEBCAK's out there. Say one in 28...

Oh, and me? I'm part of the problem, too. I chose 3b, initially, but with my increased RL commitments, it's wavering more to 3a, online and 3b at the local. I know it, but I get really upset at twittery, and I don't like how I act when I'm upset.

One other note: it's been determined (not only online bridge, but IM, IRC, Usenet for 20 years) that people, by and large, are more likely to be obnoxious online than FtF. Part of it is that the non-verbal cues that ameliorate the nastiness are gone, and part of it is that the brain doesn't realize that the other person is a person - training that is most proper netiquette. So the ones that are too obnoxious to get a regular partner at the club come online, and have 4000 people that they haven't pissed off yet, and treat them *worse* than they do the local club members. Which doesn't help matters any, and is why the "you will be polite, and here's why" has been from the start much more in-your-face on BBO than in the local. Because the makers of this great product are smart, Net-experienced, and able to learn the lessons of history.

And we all know how common that is!
Michael.

[beatrix45]

Online bridge games are full of emotional cripples who are liable to do and/or say anything. On the first hand, the initial 1S overcall is too light, but the partner's bidding is insane. Raise to game with 10xx in trumps and a couple of outside cards??? Then redouble??? AAAAAAAAAArgh.

The second hand is even more pitiful. Open 2NT with any form of 5-5-2-1 distribution??? Next ask for aces with a void????

If you did any of this (and I'm sure you didn't), you are not advanced.

Nil illigitimo carborundum

Trixie

[P_Marlowe]

First of all, there is no excuse for bad behaviour,
i.e. leaving the table in the middle of a tournament
is much worser than any of your bids.

Regarding the first hand:
- The 1S overcall is aggressive, to aggressive for
my liking
- 4S is aggressive, to aggressive for my liking,
even opposite someone who overcalls sound,
one would believe, an invitation is sufficient with this
bal. 11 count and 3 card support, but you found
each other
- RDBL is, ..., call the doctor

At least your opponents did know, that the Red card
in the bidding box was original designed to let the opponente
pay

Regarding the Second hand:
- The 2NT opening is excentric, but the hand is hard to bid with
a pickup, sometimes you need to risk it
- 4H is slightly optimistic, to be nice, opposite a normal 2 NT,
why bid 4H with a hand, were you would have signed of in 3H
risking going down -2, when you could collect 200-800
beating 3S xed.
- 4NT is ok, because one could expect a little bit more, than
the garbage hand, and looking for 7H is sensible,
but signing off in 5H is pointless, you got lucky, your risky 2 NT
opening bit hit the treasure hidden at the end of the rainbow,
partner did bid your 5 card suit, headed by AK, why not 6H?

With kind regards
Marlowe

[P_Marlowe]

kgr, on Feb 27 2005, 01:28 PM, said:

Sorry, switched the ♠ and ♥ of West on the 2nd. His hand was:
AK632
A
AQ654
KQ
His bidding was as given.

Hi,

with the mayor suits switched, the "cleverness" of the 4H bid becomes
even more obvious, because now will happen, what I have mentioned
in my other post: 4H will go down, when you would have beaten 3S.

Without further disscusion, nobody would understand 4 NT
as a resue bid, and it is not needed, because 4H may well
be your last playable spot, give partner a six card suit,
which he should have, after all you promised only 2, and
he will just scramble home.
So partner was right to sign of in 5H, he knows the partnership
misses the Ace of Club and the King of Hearts.

Comparing the 2NT opening bid, which is excentric, with the 4 H bid,
which is overly hyper aggressive, I think both have a similar quality
and deserve each other. Just shake your shoulders and go on.

With kind regards
Marlowe

[Winstonm]

In order: Tie for 1) 2NT/4S Hard to pick which is worse, opening a 2C hand 2N or punishing partner for overcalling.
2) Redouble - passing does not improve the strength of one's hand.
3) 1S - Better matchpoint move. Too risky at imps, especially as a diamond lead may work as well as a spade lead.

[Free]

1st hand: is there any bid I don't like?? 1♠ is silly, 4♠ even worse (where's the invite?), and RDbl on such hand is just asking for a new partner.

2nd hand: 2NT isn't the greatest bid, but it's always a hard hand to bid anyway. At least you have your 22HCP and controls in all suits, but it wouldn't be my choice (perhaps trf preempts ). In the end, you reach the best contract, isn't it? Problem is if partner has ♠s, then you're totally lost for sure...

[Karma]

Comments from the one only authority that matters, me !!

board 1 - 1♠ overcall is bad. Pass or a weak 2♠ are the only choices. I like the idea of a weak 2♠. After that, the 4♠ bid is insane and the XX is even more insane. The only meaningful bid by south is 2♣ to show a maximum passed hand in support of ♠.

board 2 - Several problems with opening 2NT and I agree with what Flame wrote in this regard. The best opening in my humble opinion is 2♣. Then bid your suits and see if you can stop at 3NT. On the hand presented (after revising ♠ position, the auction goes:
2C (3♠) X all pass !!!


Winner for worst bid: XX. 4♠X was already going to be a horrible or great score. There is no reason to make it better or worse.