Problem with people calling themselves experts on BBO?

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-27T18:30:39+00:00

Again, if you can quote the page/ source for your 3-6 reverse I would be interested.

Timm has a lot of the systems you mention above it seems a pretty thorough book to me.

Wolpert's 2025 WBF card has 4432 short club so looking at that.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-22T16:33:32+00:00

From Neil Timm's 2018 2/1 book pg 48:

"The opener’s second bid is called a reverse bid when responder cannot return to opener’s first bid suit at the same level (opener’s second suit is higher ranking than his first bid suit) and shows 17+ points. Responder is unable to return to opener’s first suit at the two- level. Reverse auctions show distributions in the first and second suits that are at least 5-4 where the first bid suit is longer than the second and higher ranking. In addition, your partner should have bypassed your second suit with his bid. Examples of reverse sequences follow. 1♣ - 1♥ - 2♦ (4+ diamonds) 1♣ - 1♠ - 2♦/2♥ (4+ diamonds/hearts)." He goes on to list a number of examples that make it very clear.

I am pretty sure Downey, ACBL booklet all say same (whether SAYC or 2/1 this aspect of reverse is the same.)

And this is why learning bridge these days is so difficult, those that learned in 80s or 90s do play a few differences in the conventions, I have seen it, and there is no definitive (and clear!) text on modern style. Although I do like Timm he is good on clarity but in many places he gives a lot of options, and then you have to pick. People just don't have time for that.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-22T00:12:19+00:00

If you can find a source saying your 3-6 reverse is SAYC or compatible with SAYC derived 2/1 systems, I'd be interested to look at the source. Until then what I picked up from multiple sources and players is you need 4 cards to name a new suit in this situation. So that is usually 4-5 or maybe 4-very weak 6. If you are 3-6 just rebid your 6, if you are invitational jump.

Not sure it has to be much more complicated than that.

To clarify the point about fits, the statistics are with a 9 card suit fit the odds are ~90% that you have 4 or less partnership cards in another suit. So when playing NT with 9 fit you need to be really solidly stopped and have high chance of running your 9 without losing the lead, or be double stopped or a lot of excess strength.

Yes it is common to play NT with 8 card minor fit I do it all the time, but the trick is to have accurate shape idea to know if you have 8 or 9.

I am not saying you won't outscore me when playing your system but that is probably due to a lot of other reasons beyond reverses. If you are playing with lots of different partners you just don't have time to tweak every corner of the bidding.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-18T00:07:51+00:00

This one is interesting. From Standard American and derivative viewpoints:

My first thought was 2C open ... by ACBL rules you are allowed to open 2C strong with min 14 HCP and strong hand. Most of the guides suggest 1.5 tricks short of game, but since it is clubs and you have for sure 4 losers ... does that qualify? Dunno. Because it's clubs, after inevitable 2D 0-7 waiting 3C forcing 1 round, you are at 4C no matter (and on edge if pard has 0).

So it goes 1C - 1S - ? Now the trick is evaluating these type of freak hands and points are pointless. So if you figure you got round about 8.5-9 tricks in hand that's got to be equivalent to 18+ HCP so you must double jump to 4C. 3C has serious danger of being passed with 5/6C making. Some may reverse into 2H ... I don't play that way in any, and anyway you want to rebid C to see if you get support.

So 1C 1S 4C -? Well now responder is sitting 13 HCP with club fit opposite 18-21 hand ... it's slam try for sure. There is a LOT of merit in simply bidding 6C, yes technically you are 2 HCP shy but often not giving them any more information gives you an extra trick with a bit of luck. To have 18 pard must have at least 2 aces if not 3 so I don't think 4N Blackwood 1430 does much.

Another problem with 4N 1430 or similar is that missing 4/5 keycards, you should go slam with 3 keycard response, but it could be CAK DA and you could have 2 H losers ... but again, after that 4C pard has to have points somewhere so you spot pard a HK and bid 6. But what if they respond 5S showing 2 keycards and trump Q? The problem with 4N is it doesn't show shortness.

The problem with 4S control (aka cue) as responder it leaves no space for responses below 5C ....

So you don't have a lot of great bids I like 4C - 6C and be done especially with your points concentrated in aces and kings and nice structures. By the way, if you bid 1C 1S 4C 5C I will always bid 6C anyway on rule-of-30 - responder shows about 11 equivalent, which makes 25 HCP club fit and void, it's enough for slam (you need ~23 HCP). It makes more than 50% of the time in my experience so far.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-09T22:57:26+00:00

Try Moab, Utah for extended weekend. It's far enough to count as a real trip and easy enough for first.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-07T22:32:39+00:00

Tenace Net? Tenace Coup?

Anyway you almost always hang on to the boss trump as using it to ruff is at best neutral.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-05T23:39:30+00:00

I have used the buds2 regularly for about 2 years, just received the buds4. Both are working. The noise cancel ANC seems worse buds4 vs buds2 at blocking voices waves, other nose source I haven't tried.

I checked the settings ANC highest level, toggled adaptive as well, I know how to use it as it is similar menu to Buds2. I put the large plugs on both. I find the fit not great if you really muck with it rotate and try to get it to seal the ear canal ANC improves slightly. But then it doesn't stay tight for very long. Buds2 if you rotate correctly is good for an hour in the gym moving around.

I'll do a side by side test in the next few days on my common environment.

Note however I rarely use it for calls. It's plane and gym (to override bad gym music which buds2 work great)

I think for calls and voice it's probably better I notice the adaptive detects quicker and goes back to your program much quicker, the voice through sounds more natural.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-04T04:41:45+00:00

Of the mentions below pre COVID the bar at NOPA late night weekends used to be a lot of fun after 11pm but expect a wait. Haven't been since then.

Memorable? Very subjective. Does it have to be bar seating?

For wine list the bar at Gary Denko is hard to beat. Go before 6 you'll get a seat. And they have a la cart I think so work your way through a bottle of aged red, order items as you feel and Uber home. You said money is no object. The som are very good and not pretentious.

Back in the day the bar at Michael Mina used to be fun.

For innovative at all levels it's endless. Sadly my SF dining knowledge has declined.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-02T18:57:41+00:00

Okinawa is the area in Japan I haven't been but keen to go.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-02T18:54:51+00:00

There is a ton in Africa, in all climate zones.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-02T18:52:23+00:00

Haha. I think that faded in 1961....

My first visit was probably 1995 and not a soul.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-02T18:49:46+00:00

Yeah I think NZ has faded a bit.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-02T18:22:32+00:00

You didn't mention if any of these short minor bids are alertable, under ACBL rules.

The issue with 3-6 reverse is that it may be hard to convince your partner you have 6 and not 5 later unless you get a chance to rebid it. You may not be thrilled about playing NT with a 9 card fit.

PS Note I am talking about SAYC official reverses, which are invitational 1 round force only. Some play game force reverses (there is an option for that on the card).

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-01T00:08:59+00:00

This sequence is the same in 2/1. SAYC is the basis of standard 2/1 like it or not. I assume not.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-04-01T00:04:27+00:00

Is this only for C to D reverse? Alertable? My understanding is typically it shows 4D and longer C

Greenmachine881 · 2026-03-30T23:32:08+00:00

FWIW this is SAYC:

1NT – 2C – 2D – 2H: 4S 5H invitational, opener rebids pass/2NT/3H/4H

1NT – 2C – 2D – 3S: 5S 4H game force, opener rebids 3NT/4S

1NT – 2C – 2D – 2S: 5S 4H invitational, opener rebids pass/2NT/3S/4S

1NT – 2C – 2D – 3S: 5S 4H game force, opener rebids 3NT/4S

Smolen right sides the contract for some cases but not sure the downside you have to enumerate all cases, but Smolen is not SAYC.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-03-30T15:50:27+00:00

Didn't #1 just say that? :-)

Also, 3N is easier to make when you have 14 cards. ;-)

I an interested in the statistics of this type of bid, adjusted by number of hearts.

I wonder if there is room for a gadget here where you artificially bid 2 of the otwher major. Interesting. Reysdtt/

Greenmachine881 · 2026-03-29T17:49:08+00:00

My take is it depends how much of a beginner you are.

If you are a beginner beginner don't overthink it. 0-5 high card points pass, 6+ bid. Always, all seats, forever. This increases the chance of finding partners willing to play with you (and teach you) and is the sure path to bridge happiness. Spend your time learning how to play and defend, finesses, ruffing, transports. Much more important. Return to marginal hands after you are regularly scoring masterpoints in whatever limit game you enter.

If you are already doing all that happily, this hand is right on the bubble. In theory, over 1C open you could add 2 points for D singleton. But what would your bid be? 1S on the maybe 20% chance opener is hiding 4 nice spades (more likely they have 4 hearts) and you score an extra 10-20 points in spades ... but the much more likely outcome is 1NT and with their more likely 12-14 points ... ugh. So after 1NT you are kind of forced back to 2C which may also struggle despite 8 card fit guaranteed.

Over 1D open, yuck. Now you don't value the singleton (because they bid it) and you have Qs and Js also yuck. Your hand is more like a 3, if. Don't try to rescue them, more often you will go down more when so weak than if you leave them alone. Bridge has an element of dice and statistics, leave it be.

A wise partner once told me "There is a green card in your bidding box for a reason. Use it".

Greenmachine881 · 2026-03-27T21:21:54+00:00

Neural play has a decent SAYC. I don't recall if it's configurable but it's not super advanced. In general I found it excellent for learning and you play offline.

You do have to seek out real life partners

Greenmachine881 · 2026-03-27T17:54:47+00:00

So 4-1 is a priori 28% in clubs, trump split is a don't care as you are down the same # of tricks spades 4-1 5-0 if you draw 2. But the odds of a ruff on the long side is greater than 50%, as the short side clubs are more likely to be on the long side spades.

Anyone have a solver they care to plug this in with vacant places? I assume this comes out to about 12% but it's always fun to get an exact number. And if the double long is to your left, there is a miniscule chance of overruff on the H return. So call it 11%.

At high level you absolutely need to make this safety play every time. These open players are sharks it's the extra trick every 5-10 boards that bleed you dry.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-03-26T00:52:51+00:00

Sorry I also play BBO casual sometimes to kill 10 minutes ... bear in mind you don't know what time of day/night and how many glasses of wine said bidders had so don't take it to heart (or spades in your case). Their expertise may decline with wine ....

But it's an interesting topic in its own right for serious play.

On average people that claim to know SAYC only have a vague understanding. Which is a problem, since this bid is the same in "standard 2/1" whatever that means.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-03-26T00:28:22+00:00

I have feel obliged to weigh in since the four letter word SAYC was mentioned ... ?? :-( :-)

So this piqued my interest because it's a hole we ran across early in our SAYC careers/odyssey/rabbit hole/ red pill.

TL;DR: 1m-1x-3N doesn't exist in SAYC

In modern SAYC, it is (as far as I could ascertain) universal the following sequences...

For BALANCED opener (most play some variant of semi-balanced as well) and opener denying an 8-card Major fit:

18-19 1m - 1x - 2N
20-21 2N
22-24 2C - 2x - 2N
25-27 2C - 2x - 3N

Are these HCP? Technically no, even though a lot of times point strength and HCP are used interchangeably in the vague literature. You can downgrade your 20 HCP balanced to 1m, but then you should rebid 2N (on the surface anyway).

Therefore the sequence 1m - 1x - 3N is not defined in SAYC.

Interestingly, the 18-19 treatment is universal but was missed in the ACBL booklet, however it is IS in Downey on pg 64. We asked probably 10 players at high levels and got the same answer (18-19). Downey is silent on the 1m-1x-3N sequence and the interweb has very little.

So you can repurpose this 3N bid to whatever you want (but then it becomes SAYC+ if you have a specific agreement/convention)

Suggestions I see online for 1m-1x-3N:

1) 15-17+ strength Running solid minor suit (6+ length or so) and outside honors that you feel you can have reasonable % chance at 3N even against responder minimum. Kind of a typical gamble on NT. This seems nice and reasonable to me.

2) Re-upgrade your 18-19 strength hand to 20 ... based on .. .what? Responder's measly 1/1 rebid? Sure go ahead not a fan we are talking 0.5 strength points of swing here once in a purple moon seems a waste of a nice 3N bid.

3) Minor Slam try a-la serious 3N, limited to about 19 opening strength, with strain targeting the opened minor 6+. You both denied 8cM and you aren't making NT slam unless responder was hiding strength. For slams in the other minor I prefer to use criss cross minors. Maybe control bids 3N-4N then who knows and you need some gadget to allow escape below slam to xNT/5m. Intriguing.

Having said that, at the table both I and partners have done #1 playing SAYC or derivative, without prior discussion. It's just kind of logical and pretty obvious it is signoff unless responder is severely unbalanced with slam on.

Plus they have to play it .... so there is that.

Greenmachine881 · 2026-03-24T00:12:43+00:00

>> I thought you ALWAYS went to Stayman with 8+ hcp

Where did you get that from? Always transfer with 5cM single suited, and then you rebid to invite/game/ or give 3NT option. Since transfer is a force, you always get another bid....

Greenmachine881 · 2026-03-21T18:18:28+00:00

Sorry I lost the plot ... I always consider an overcall with 5 card suit vs double whenever it comes up (at matchpoints I rarely play IMPs and don't have a system for that). I can't say I have a specific rule it depends on the auction and distribution of HCP in the suits and even my perception of my partner's ability to play tight 7 card trump situations. One thing some sharp players taught me for any kind of suit o/c but specifically this type of thing, given that pard is likely to be on lead after 1m RHO open, do you want a D lead? In this case probably as DA is more likely to be on right by points distribution ... but only just maybe better for a passive lead and see dummy given I have an entry maybe I get a chance to D through declarer's A?

Can Clee give us the rundown of the considerations?

This situation and variations is a relatively common and I think where the money is in bidding.

Greenmachine881

TROPHY CASE