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.
Friday, July 24, 2009
Thursday, July 23, 2009
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 :-)
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 :-)
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, May 30, 2009
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.
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.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
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.
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.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
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.
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.
Monday, January 12, 2009
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.
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.
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