[Winstonm]

Scoring: IMP

Auction, (if it can be called that):

N-E-S-W
P-1D-P-1H
P-2H-X-3H
P-P-P

---

The north hand was:
KQ92
K2
Q762
1083

I held the North hand and partner the South hand. My partner is actually a very fine player and my best friend, but he grew up an admirer of Al Roth's "grind em down and don't give anything away" philosophy of imp play. I have been "nicely" trying to get him to be more active at the 1 and 2 levels, but when I mentioned that unless he had overcalled 1S, this north hand is under a lot of undo pressure to find a 3S, much less 4S bid, he didn't want to hear it. So, as a last resort, I'm running this ad for all outstanding bidders and players to chime in and help me get my partner's game into this century. If you can't do it for me, do it for Al.

Help Wanted: Advanced/Expert bridge players. All applicants welcome to apply.

Thanks,

WinstonM

[mike777]

Ok if giving up the living Al Roth for the ghost of Barry Crane here is a take from the grave:

You are North and dealer, NV and 4243 with 10HCP...open 1D.
Now your Al Roth partner can bid however they like while you bid Barry Crane style ala 1960's. This way you move from 1950's to 1960's..why rush to 2005?

[HeartA]

Winstonm, on Jun 8 2005, 08:00 PM, said:

[ONEHAND=North,E/W,IMP,J8763,Q,J4,AKJ96]Auction, (if it can be called that):

N-E-S-W
P-1D-P-1H
P-2H-X-3H
P-P-P

The north hand was:
KQ92
K2
Q762
1083

I held the North hand and partner the South hand. My partner is actually a very fine player and my best friend, but he grew up an admirer of Al Roth's "grind em down and don't give anything away" philosophy of imp play. I have been "nicely" trying to get him to be more active at the 1 and 2 levels, but when I mentioned that unless he had overcalled 1S, this north hand is under a lot of undo pressure to find a 3S, much less 4S bid, he didn't want to hear it. So, as a last resort, I'm running this ad for all outstanding bidders and players to chime in and help me get my partner's game into this century. If you can't do it for me, do it for Al.

Help Wanted: Advanced/Expert bridge players. All applicants welcome to apply.

Thanks,

WinstonM

Yes, I would overcall 1S.

[Winstonm]

Scoring: IMP

Let me try this again. This is the South hand.

---

[Double !]

you can give up Al Roth

I'll keep Barbara Rapaport in a heartbeat.

[mr1303]

Quote

Yes, I would overcall 1S.

I wouldn't

If I was going to do anything I'd bid 2C, or maybe a Raptor 1NT if I had that available

[MickyB]

Winstonm, on Jun 9 2005, 02:00 AM, said:

I have been "nicely" trying to get him to be more active at the 1 and 2 levels, but when I mentioned that unless he had overcalled 1S, this north hand is under a lot of undo pressure to find a 3S, much less 4S bid, he didn't want to hear it.

That doesn't seem to be a bad thing, as you are only making 8 or 9 tricks.

[PMetsch]

I would bid 1♠. If an overcall is made with opening strength, the suit quality is less important. But, knowing your partner as a solid bidder, why didn't you bid 3♠? His double could be based on a full opening with 4=2=3=4 (I guess he doesn't like 4card overcalls).

[Free]

I think the north hand can also bid 1♠ after p-1♦-p-1♥, so don't blame only your partner for not bidding an aweful suit, you had a good suit and max, and also didn't say a word...

[shanbari]

i don't mind overcall 1s with south hand, sometimes i even overcall 1s with 4441 shape.

regarding to north hand, i would do 3S, knowing opps had 9/10 heart fit already.
i may push them in 4H, but they may bid it in anyway, i cannot stop them. i need compet and tell parnter 4 card support.


SHAN

[Fluffy]

I would overcall 1♠ with the 5-5, but also a 3♠ bid with yours is an option (not clear).

[PriorKnowledge]

I would bid 1♠. I overcall at 1-level with any 5-card suit and any 8hcp. This hand is much more. Plus it makes difficult for opps to find heart suit. I hate "backing in" to auctions.

[pigpenz]

i would overcall 1♠ sometimes only get once chance to get into auction at a low level better go get in now while you can.

But on the actual auction i wouldnt hesitate to bid either 3♠ or 4♣

[Winstonm]

Quote

I hate "backing in" to auctions.

Thank you. So do I. It puts so much pressure on partner to "guess" which holding you have. I don't really remember if it was Edgar Kaplan or Al Roth or someone else entirely who popularized this style of back-in bidding, but I firmly believe that time has proven that it is a less effective method.

The example hand shows this point, I believe. Although north could take some action, isn't partner's bidding more consistent with: A10xx, xx, xx, KQ9xx than the actual hand? I believe that partner is asking you if you can compete at either 2S or 3C - but 3S is not strongly suggested. At 3S opposite the expected hand, we are off at least one and have no "Law" protection of a 9-card fit. (Speaking of the Law - north's hand is an interesting exercise in applying "adjustments". Soft values of the K of hearts and Q of diamonds argue for a (-1) adjustment in total tricks, but the double 8-card fit argues for a (+1) adjustment, so in my view it is a wash: Anticipate 17 total tricks - a close call for 3S at matchpoits.)

My contention is simple: a 1-level overcall "may" have game aspirations if a Super Fit is found (5/4 or better); a pre-balance, such as the actual auction, does Not have any game aspirations; in fact, the object is to push them to 3 or compete for the partscore at a low level.

Anyway, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

WinstonM

[Winstonm]

Quote

lol... really?

Yes, really. I think pard is a bridge recipe combining Al Roth and Edgar Kaplan - Mix 1/2 pard-Al with 1/2 pard-Edgar, stirring thoroughly.....Gee, thanks Julia.

Winston

[mike777]

still seem to me opening 1D is the easiest way to get to 3s and keep opp out of the bidding. P knows you may open on 10 pts and invites with that in mind.

[bhtf]

nice, nice. then
not open 1D for me, but
1S on North is okay
2S on North too (after pass in South i like)
1S in South if North was sleeping i agree too !
kisses for all you love.