2/1 Epiphany

Richard and I came 2nd in our section, 5th overall with 58% at the club the other day, nice game, more lessons for me;

1H (P) to you... Qxx,Jxxx,xx,Qxxx - your bid?

I passed , I should have bid 2H via 1nt, both Peter and Richard said they would have bid 2H, we have some work to do on these. I am used to playing “constructive raises” so;

1M:2M 7(8)-10 3 or 4 card support
1M:1N* 2x:2M weak 6-10 3(2) card support or 2-5 4 card support
1M:1N* 2x:3M 10-11 exactly 3 card support
1M:3M 10-11 4 card support

Once again, ‘everyone’ plays this differently, Im surprised it hasn’t come up before.

Update: apparently I need to add 'Bergen' raises! Another one to get wrong or forget, Im still working on lebensohl.

Anyway, I wrote back during my blogging at the regional about an epiphany I had regarding 2/1 auctions. I’m not sure it was an epiphany in the true sense of the word as Wayne pointed it out to me, but it has had a large impact on my bidding!

1S:1N 2H:3m
1M:1N 2D:3C


3m here is to play, its not an invitation, its not game forcing, its not even mildly tempting – 1N has limited partners hand and 3m says I have zero tolerance for your suits, lets play in my long suit. I think this is an old habit remaining from sayc where a new suit by responder at the 3level is 100% gf, that and, again, not thinking it through before I bid.

2nd team game tonight, the first wasnt great maybe we will do better tonight.

6403 distributional 9 count

I have joined an imp league team at the VBC and matched up with a new partner, Richard. We had a “warm up” game last night – and won 67.86%, how nice is that!!

One of our top boards was where I opened 1st seat, vulnerable with a 6403 9 count and Richard made 4 hearts, while the other tables did not reach game. I tend to open these distributional hands, regardless of point count as they have so much trick taking ability but I’m not sure where to draw the line.
The other side to this is the opps generally are not happy with my opening, should we announce that we open distributional hands on <10

edit: I wonder how my openings will change now that I have discovered I need some discipline :) Jan 19 2010

Tomorrow Bill, Jennifer and I head off to Sun Peaks for our first ski race/holiday of the year. It has been a great start to the season with a lot of snow dumped on all the mountains, it has turned to rain here on the local mountains but Im hoping at Sun Peaks it is still snowing. 2 days skiing, 1 day visiting Cody and Vikki in Kamloops and our 10th Wedding Anniversary! Bill, my bridge widow did not see the funny side of it when I suggested we head to San Diego for our anniversary. :)

Next game will be the first team match on Tuesday.

Unusual vs. Unusual Unusual vs. Michaels

Here is another post on Unusual vs. Unusual. I have found this to be an excellent gadget, logical and easy to remember, you can even safely spring it on partners undiscussed :-) I first played 1M (2N*) with Richard, I don't remember the responses we used, they may have been reversed. This is the only "catch" , you must discuss this part with your partner. Is 1M (2N*) 3♣ gf in hearts or spades? It does not matter which you chose as long as you chose one! Peter & I have chosen to bid ‘up the line’ so clubs is for hearts and diamonds for spades. Keep it simple and easy to remember. We have also extended this to include unusual over Michael’s and, as I discovered the other day, it applies over 1N (2N)

UNUSUAL vs. UNUSUAL
1M (2N*) 3m *clubs and diamonds

3♣ = limit+ with ♥'s
3♦ = limit+ with ♠'s

Contrast these with 1♠ (2N) 3♠ or 1♠ (2N) 3♥ which are competitive only (i.e. to play, showing no extra values)

UNUSUAL vs. MICHAELS

1m (2m*) 2M *hearts and spades

2♥ = limit+ in ♣
2♠ = limit+ in ♦

Contrast these with 1♣ (2♣) 3♣ or 1♣(2♣) 2♦ which are competitive only (i.e.to play)

1♠(2♠*) 3x *hearts and a minor

3♥ limit+ in ♠
3♣/♦ natural gf

1♥(2♥*) 2S/3x *spades and a minor

2♠ limit+ in Hearts
3♣/♦ natural gf

If you do not have the values to force to game, or if you have both minors, it is necessary to negative double.

Unusual vs. Unusual also applies over 1N (2N*) *minors, I have included the comments from our bidding notes on this:

Do you play anything over 1N (2N) ? If 2N is showing the minors, 3♣ could show hearts, 3♦ could show spades each with invitational values, while 3♥ or 3♠ would be to play. This is Unusual v Unusual, same responses that would apply if the auction had gone 1♥ -(2N) - .
However, unlike 1M (2N) 3m, 1N (2N) 3m must be M5+ since partner could have as few as 2M

Bouncing back

Life is back to normal :) I played with Peter in the North Shore game today, had a good solid game and finished with 53% and another fraction of a Monster Point to add to my gradually growing number. lol When will I have enough to fly to San Diego?
I'd love to go to the nationals, it won't be this time but I will get there one day.

Wayne headed off this morning on his way to San Diego. I wish I had managed to spend more time with him and tap into his expertise. However, 8am - 11pm days at the regional didn't leave much time for anything else.

I think the most valuable yet simple lesson I took away after playing with Wayne and Peter last week was to slow down and think during the auction and the play. Think, plan, review, replan - easy to say, harder to do. Playing online tends to be done at breakneck speed, if you stop to think you are either bombarded with ????????'s or simply booted from the table.

I did some of this today - it is ok to slow down and think when you have something to think about!

Caffeine; I stopped drinking caffeine drinks (tea, coffee) on Saturday and by Sunday morning I had the worst splitting headache you can imagine. Jennifer was singing with the choir, so on our way to Church I had to stop at a coffee shop for a large Latte, 20mins later I was feeling a lot better. I need to stop drinking the damn stuff but I obviously need to plan a little better, a few quiet days at home with some ibuprofen handy might do the trick. I best check the bottle to make sure the pain killers don't contain caffeine. This is what withdrawing from drugs is like!

tap declarer

Here is another fun hand from the Regional, board23 Friday evening pairs. I should say, fun board if you weren't trying to play this in 2♣.

If learning this game isn't difficult enough there is also the specific bridge language you need to learn - 'tap' for me, coming from New Zealand, was where we got the water. I suppose I am saying faucet now. Tap dance, tap shoes, now how about 'tap declarer'. Peter has been showing me hands as they come up, where it is right to tap declarer, hopefully this is one of them.

'Tapping' means leading a suit where you know declarer is void, forcing him to ruff, thus shortening his trump and losing control of the hand. This is an extreme case hand in regards to 'tapping' since there is no other play available but I think it still demonstrates the point.

When this hand came up, I passed 2♣ smoothly and, unable to lead partners suit, I led the second obvious choice ♥3 hitting the jackpot. Partner played heart AK and I ruffed 3rd round of ♥, I'm not sure how the play continued but each time I won the lead, I continued with ♦ to make declarer ruff.

Result 2♣-2 for 300

crazy 12 card deal

Here's a crazy hand from the Regional, board18 Friday afternoon pairs.
I'm south here and couldn't believe the bidding until I saw dummy - thanks partner!

West led Heart Ace, East playing the 10 (encouraging), West continued Hearts at trick 2 and I was expecting a ruff and ready to claim -1.
East turned up with a stiff heart and the spade void!
Claim 6 +1660 thank you!

Crash and Burn

Yesterday was my last day at the Regional and today I have crashed to an unbelievable low. My game was not good in the morning and I made some careless mistakes,then later in the afternoon games, my (afternoon) partner started being critical of my play. I think I held it together well and finished the day without going on a tilt or fighting back but today I am feeling extremely bad.

So what happened? I started the week with a win and an amazing high, for the rest of the week I was playing 3 games a day with alternating highs and lows.
I was not sleeping, eating or exercising properly. I started to let little things get to me, such as when a player I admired from the club made a crack about my win on Monday, I let that eat away at me. I take things very personally and I hate letting my partners down by making careless mistakes. Nevertheless, Peter doesn’t react to my mistakes and I’m sure he isn’t expecting me to play like a pro so its mostly all the crap I’m piling on myself. I’m going to make mistakes, I guess at times even the best do. Keep calm and focused!

Today I am giving up caffeine :)

I have a lot of good and interesting things I want to blog about so when I've picked myself up, I'll do that. Its funny, despite this drama I would still rather be out there today, playing, than anything else.

Day5

Well it's Friday, my last day at the Regional. I'm sleeping less, thinking more and having an amazing time. I think my game has improved a lot this week, as you'd hope it would after playing morning, noon and night. I am so tired, I'm getting less sleep, 5 hours on average, less last night, my brain wont shut down. Despite being sleep deprived I'm making much smarter calls and plays, my game with Peter is really coming together and I'm SO much more relaxed and confident at the table.

I have a lot I want to blog about, an epiphany on 2/1 auctions, my first attempt at exclusion keycard, lebensohl nightmares, some humorous hands, some spectacular hands, table manners and lots more. What a week, I wish it wouldn't end, I have played so much good bridge and of course, I have been lucky enough to have the best partners.

5:30am; I'll see if I can snatch another hours sleep. One parting comment, it should be noted that so far in this tournament, Waynes best result has been with me. ;-)

Vancouver Regional Monday Charity Pairs winners:

We won!!! 65%
Thanks Wayne!

Now I need to sleep, I have another 4 days of this.

counting down...

to my first Regional! I'm so excited, unfortunately my family don't share my enthusiasm as I have been out playing a lot of bridge lately. Fortunately, after the regional it will all come to a sudden stop, we'll be into the Ski season, Peter will be at the San Diego NABC and the closest I'll get to the game is having my nose in "Watsons, Play of the Hand." Well, perhaps the occasional day time game :)

Wayne is here from NZ and will stay with us for the duration of the regional before heading off to San Diego for the nationals. This is exciting too! I will be playing 4sessions with him in the regional :) Lucky me, the only trouble is my nerves when I'm playing with "A" players, I play much better with "C" players, my mistakes don't bother me so much. The same happens when I'm playing with Peter - I hold onto my mistakes and let them distract me. I will just have to forget who it is I'm playing with and try to have fun.
This is a big deal for me, its like playing with Zia. Whoooop!

I also have 5 sessions with Peter so I will, hopefully, be playing some great bridge next week. Peter has been working tirelessly with me on my signaling, counting, planning, card play - everything that I have neglected. Its such an eye opener having a regular partner - signaling is something I never did other than `high`I like it, `low`I don't, now I dont know how I played without it.
I still can`t believe I have such great partner and mentor.

In the recent sectional I played with a lovely lady, Jacquie from Osoyoos, and people think New Zealand place names are difficult! We will play 4 sessions together and I'm looking forward to playing again, we had some good games and a lot of fun at the sectional.

That's all for now, if I survive the regional I will of course, post the highs and lows! I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew by scheduling 3 games a day for 4 days, I hope I have the stamina for it.

61%

A new top score! 61%
I remember, not too long ago, saying I would be happy to get 50%. If this is any measurement of improvement I guess I'm doing okay. The improvement is thanks to Peter,and I`ve been working hard and fooling around on BBO less.

Lebensohl and other disasters

You've never seen a convention abused so much until you've seen my lebensohl bids. I'm so happy to remember that we play leb, I bid 2N at any opportunity.
Yesterday playing at the club I had a dreadful, weak balanced hand , just 4 clubs and bid 2N, passing 3C. Peter didn't flinch at all, he must have nerves of steel to play with me.

I already know I dont think enough before I bid or play and with new conventions I expect a few disasters before I remember how I should be using it. I seem to learn best from bitter experiences, I hope I dont make that mistake next time.

Lebensohl is the most advanced convention I have played. At first glance it seems straightforward but when I mapped out all of the auctions it is a exact and complex system full of nuances. No doubt I will have many more disasters along the way.

Another disturbing habit I need to break is my tendency to ruff with the wrong suit!
When I am in game/slam and have a equally good or better second suit I am ruffing with second suit. Wake up!! Subconsciously thinking the second suit would have been better, getting one step ahead or just careless, I dont know. One thing I might try is sorting my hand to place trump to the left or right. Currently I just sort black/red as the cards appear. Same story, I need to focus on the current trick and take more time & care.

Peter said nothing until after the set, and even then just laughed. Partners take note; I know I've messed up and I'm sick about it. The best thing you can do is let it go and not contribute to my discomfort. We can talk later about how I can avoid the same mistake & about the other mistakes I didn't even know I had made.

I'm having more fun playing the hands - with no better play available I underled Kx to dummy AJxxx hoping declarer would go up with the ace, he did. :-)

Despite a few hiccups it was another nice game. Playing is becoming less agonising and much more enjoyable as I get more confident.

October update

I have been playing more club bridge with Peter and playing much less online. I am beginning to prefer studying or working on my play than playing online which must be better for my game. I have a few great partners on BBO and I’m rarely playing pickup games now.

October has been busy kicking off with a day of play/lesson at the club hosted by Mike Lawrence. I enjoyed it, came away with a few tips and 2 more of his CD’s – Counting#1 and Private Bridge Lessons#1. I heard of a 2-day workshop Mike held over the weekend that sounded intense but excellent. I wish I had been able to attend but it was by invitation only, "nobodies" didn’t get an invite. Oh well.

One interesting point Mike Lawrence made was to play (4S) X as takeout, (4S) 4N as 2 suited. I have been playing takeout through 4H, 4S X as penalty. When was the last time anyone made a penalty double of a preemptive 4S?

My brother Ian, Fuxia and Angus flew in from New Zeand for a great 3 week visit. Ian and Fuxia played one Friday night at the VBC and came in a respectable 2nd, another night I managed a teams game with them . Ian and Fuxia played together while I had a nice game with a pickup partner. My game is improving. At IMPS I need to be more competitive, I’ve been learning to be less aggressive in MP’s and haven’t yet sorted it all out so I can adjust my game to the scoring method. Yet another part of the game I need to work on.

Two weeks until the sectional, I have one game arranged with Peter and hoping for more, if not I will find a partner from the partnership desk. Better to play in C (0-50) than not at all - I think! Honestly, I'd much rather play in A or open and come last having played some good bridge than play in 0-xxx any day.

I have been doing a lot of work on our CC. I am gradually filling it up and working through all the sequences, signaling, leads etc and Peter is doing a fabulous job of explaining the reasoning behind it all and keeping me on track. It is developing into a very useful document for me, one day I hope to share it.

I'm enjoying a lot of good bridge lately but Im also looking forward to the first snow fall, we could be making a trip to Sun Peaks next month for the first skiing of the season.

Back to counting..

September

Not much blogging happening, a lot of live play instead :)
I played in a sectional here last weekend. 4 sessions, 1 with Peter and 3 with a pickup partner.
I had a good game with Peter, below average in the other 3 games. I love tournament play.

I will play in another sectional here next month then the regional in November. The next NABC is in San Diego but it doesnt look like I will be able to go. My travel documents expire in November and my family quite rightly, wont stand for it! But...perhaps I could persuade Bill to take a trip to SanDiego for our 10th wedding anniversary which just happens to fall during the NABC. LOL I think that would be pushing my luck too far.

More to come...

59% wow!

brief post; I’ve been playing a lot with my mentor and I’m still amazed and very grateful to be playing with such a nice person and good player, my game has completely changed.

We were 2nd overall last night with 59% - my best result yet.

I have a few main area’s to work on – COUNTING, relaxing, concentrating, signaling and remembering the conventions we’ve added. It is a lot easier adding conventions when you have the basics sorted out and your partner is keen to discuss the various auctions.

I can't recommend the mentor program highly enough. if you are a beginner/intermediate and your club offers a mentoring program – jump at it!
Many thanks to the Vancouver Bridge Centre and of course the mentors. :-)

I'll be playing a couple of sessions in a sectional with Peter next month and looking for a partner for the other days.
How lucky am I?? More on that later!

Now back to counting, less time messing around on BBO and forums :)

Kathryn

Off topic

This is too good to leave out. Here is my darling daughter, Jennifer. This is where we put her when she needs a cooling off period.

A mentor and live bridge

Since becoming hooked on this game and deciding to take it more seriously I have been very lucky and had some great help from BBO’ers. Many people have been influential but especially Wayne who first taught me the basics of the game and rid me of the ghastly ideas I had picked up while playing "yahoo" bridge online. He still helps me, often daily, answering my endless questions.

Now I am playing more club bridge and I am finding playing online is nothing like playing live.

The club advertised a mentor program so I responded and was hooked up with whom I would like to think, is the best mentor they had! I think this is an opportunity to both rekindle my passion and take my game to another level. I was tired of bad online bridge and feeling stuck.

Now, I have to fulfill my part and work at the game. My play has been neglected in the past while I've collected conventions and debated on bbo forums. (I've been told this over and over and not done anything about it) So, I need to dust off the BridgeMaster deals and get to work, beating up on online bunnies sounds like fun but its either get serious now or get out.

I am making copious notes with my mentor using GoogleDocs. (great tool) With his permission, I may blog these in the future.

Now, back to work :-)

Western Cue and a major raise in 2/1

Everyone plays this dont they? One of the more simple conventions, or is it.


1D (1H) 1S (P)
2C (P) 2H asking partner to bid 3nt with a heart stopper.



Now look at this auction:


1D (1H) 1S (2C)
2D (3C) 3H showing a heart stopper and asking partner to bid 3nt with clubs stopped. When opps have bid 2 suits bidding their suit shows a stopper.



Playing 2/1 1M:2M is a constructive raise 7(8) - 10 3 or 4 card support.


That is one treatment and could be the most popular but like everything else in this game, it is not set in stone and these things must be discussed with your partner! Others play 1M:2M semi constructive 5-9 3 or 4 card support.


Another little nuance of this wonderful game.

Im learning some new conventions, 2C:2H rather than solely 2C:2D, adding to my 1nt responses and some other more sexy conventions, more on that later.
I know I should be focusing on my play rather than my CC, see my last few posts about bidding.
Seems like some bridge players just cant resist adding to their CC.

more 1M:2m

Im not bidding hands where the auction starts off 1M:2D correctly. I am sure I am bidding 2M when I should bid 2nt, worried 2nt should be showing extras or my that hand is not balanced.

Paul responded to my previous post on this auction saying that Mike Lawrence recommends 2nt showing 12-14 or 18-19 balanced. That should be simple enough to remember.

So what is ‘balanced’ - any hand without a 6 card suit or a singleton?
5422 with poor clubs I have an easy 2H, is 2nt better with club honors?
4522 I must bid 2nt

Looking at this is makes me realize why I needed to take a lot more care when I’m opening 11counts and I have improved these openings – less influence of a few forum posters!

1m:2N when you have game, unbalanced do you bid 3m or 3nt?
3nt with 2353 and 3m with 2263 perhaps

Ive not been playing having been busy with so much going on this last while including a trip back to New Zealand but I’m often thinking of these auctions, its good to get it down on paper.

I played a tournament with my brother while I was in NZ and the one thing that stood out is that I need to work on my card play, still! I have to shift my focus but there always seems to be one more nuance that keeps me focused on bidding.

I do not know if I have what it takes to play the hands like an expert, it is a demanding game.

No Fit Jumps!

I've been working a little on endplays using the BridgeMaster deals, Ive been reading a little of Bob Hammans book, At the Table and am enjoying it a lot. Iwas reminded today of what Mike said about not making bids that are likelt to confuse your partner! I did it again, getting too smart.


The latest expert buzz word Fit Jump! So far I am resisting them, its likely the last thing I need to be doing. Its very easy to get caught up in all these sexy gadgets! Perhaps a public statement of my reluctance to delve into them with prevent me from doing so.

I've only recently managed to get splinters sorted out though I am sure I am still over using them. What I had wrong was 1C:1M 4D is not needed for a splinter, 1C:1M 3D
is a splinter here since 1C:1M 2D is a gf reverse. Im still a little worried trying it, I dont think Im the only one thinking a splinter is a jump to 4m. The next thing I need to get straight and make notes on are doubles, redoubles.

My play is improving but my concentration comes and goes. Sometimes I find myself so focused on a particular plan for the next play that I completely forget what has been played beforehand. Tired and stressed I think, I sometimes play when I know darn well I shouldnt be.

Time Out

Bidding is driving me nuts. I'm putting my bridge bidding on hold until I have a regular partner who wants to work on a set of agreements.
With plenty of work to do on my play I wont be bored! My counting is improving but still needs work. Something new to work on, after Ive gone down in yet another contract my partners will often say, 'you could have made that if you had end played West" I know what an end play is but have not been able to execute one on purpose. I need to get some books and study, play less.

Snow is sparse this year, after a great start and early dump it has fizzled out. Mt Washington race was postponed and Whistler has little snow. Grouse has a lot of snow but it is quite icey, not the best sort of conditions for this ski bunny. Thinking of snow starts me wondering what we will do next year for the 2010 games - rent our house out at exorbitant prices and take off to Hawaii ? We should start making plans.

Snow

wWe have a lot of snow here in Vancouver! Christmas was a disaster, we had so much snow people could not get to our house, driving was bad and if you did get here there was nowhere to park. Mountains of snow at the side of the road made parking impossible unless you shoveled first. Residents were shoveling a spot and then putting chairs, signs in the parking spot to claim ownership! We could still drive in and out of our car port and we left the Westphalia buried on the street. I love it but I did ache after so much snow shoveling


Skiing is well underway and Jennifer has had 2 races so far, so good. I was a timing official at the first race and attended a ‘level 1’ official course – it is a lot of fun learning about the racing and much more fun than working in the kitchen. Last weekend Jennifer had her first trip and race at Whistler. I think she had a lot of fun, she got a ride in the Peak to Peak (restaurant to restaurant gondola) and came 9th in the speed trap. With 4 or 5 ski clubs there it was a great result for her.

I had my first seasons outing on the bunny hill at Blackcomb and it was great! I am still snow plowing a little but getting much better when there aren’t so many people and crazy snow boarders around. All went very well until then end and one small disaster. On my last run, last slope I saw Bill waiting at the bottom so raised my arms above my head and did a huge whooop, I was feeling good, skiing ok and having a blast. Next minute Im going head over heels ski came off and I crashed into the hill. There is not a lot of soft fluffy snow to break a fall. Ive sprained my wrist, bruised my bum and ache all over now. Far too much exuberance.

My bridge sucks at the moment, enough said.