vg|2006 Spingold Semis - 4th Qtr - Hollman vs Weed,Untitled segment,I,17,32,Hollman,66,Weed - npc,114|
rs|4HE=,4HE-1,6SS=,4SN+2,4SN=,4SN=,2SN-2,3NE-2,1NW+1,1NW=,2HE-3,1CEx-3,1HW+2,2SE-1,4SW+2,6SW=,3NN=,3NN=,4SW+1,4SW+1,4HE=,2HE+3,4HS=,4HN+1,5DS-1,5DS=,2HN+1,2SE=,2HN-1,5DE=,4HE+1,6HE-1|
pn|Cheek,Versace,Grue,Lauria,Nunes,Cohen,Fantoni,Smith|pg||
qx|o17|st||md|3SQ743H83DAQT64CQ4,S9HAQTDK853CKT853,SJT2HKJ9DJ92CJ962,SAK865H76542D7CA7|sv|o|nt|rv: Hi John|pg||
mb|p|nt|kareno: Better!!|pg||
mb|1H|nt|kareno: Hello Max, John.  Great group tonight!|pg||
mb|p|nt|raija: looks like a typo|pg||
nt|rv: have they started transfer openings as well|pg||
nt|sybarra: whew|pg||
mb|2C|mb|p|mb|2H|nt|kareno: 1@h?|pg||
mb|p|mb|2S|mb|p|mb|2N|mb|p|nt|davidstern: Hi All|pg||
mb|4H|mb|p|nt|vugraph7: that is the correct auction|pg||
nt|raija: ty, i am still confused|pg||
nt|sybarra: its just late for us raija |pg||
nt|kareno: ???|pg||
nt|sybarra: max can fill us in on this one |pg||
nt|raija: :)|pg||
nt|rv: Max can you throw any light on the auction , you are the expert on Italian auctions?|pg||
nt|supermax: maybe L misssaw his cards   only plausible explanation :)|pg||
mb|p|nt|granguru: we can see 6 tricks for EW|pg||
nt|raija: the lead is very curious also|pg||
nt|granguru: needing a 7th to tie the CR result|pg||
nt|kareno: Heart lead?  Is this a heart contract, Meredith??|pg||
nt|granguru: helps (a little) the declarer|pg||
nt|vugraph7: no...it's 2nt|pg||
nt|kareno: This feels like Alice in Wonderland to me.|pg||
nt|vugraph7: wait...i must have missed something|pg||
nt|granguru: I would think on a @D lead...|pg||
nt|vugraph7: ok...a kibitzer has fixed this for me|pg||
mb|p|pc|h3|nt|rv: Hi David|pg||
nt|sybarra: hello David,  Welcome |pg||
nt|raija: hi david :)|pg||
nt|granguru: Hi David|pg||
nt|casenjo: Good evening!!|pg||
nt|vugraph7: sorry...last thing I saw was 2nt then passes|pg||
nt|raija: hiya Jo Anne :)|pg||
nt|rv: Hi Jo Anne|pg||
nt|granguru: Hi Jo Ann|pg||
nt|davidstern: Gorgeous winter's day in Sydney as we watch what is the semi final|pg||
nt|raija: np meredith, it is hard to see all the bids |pg||
pc|hA|pc|h9|pc|h2|pg||
nt|raija: i was once in 6NT without knowing it|pg||
pc|s9|pc|s2|pc|sK|nt|sybarra: did you make it? |pg||
pc|s3|pg||
pc|s5|nt|raija: the tray never came back to us with the final bid|pg||
pc|s4|pc|hT|pc|sT|pg||
pc|c3|nt|raija: yes|pg||
pc|c2|pc|cA|pc|c4|pg||
pc|s6|pc|s7|pc|hQ|pc|sJ|pg||
nt|davidstern: Do we have any intermediate scores?|pg||
pc|dK|pc|d9|pc|d7|pc|dA|pg||
nt|raija: but if knew it, i think i would still be sitting there and thinking|pg||
nt|sybarra: score is up   |pg||
nt|rv: wp Lauria|pg||
nt|kareno: Hey, Jo Ann :)  |pg||
pc|cQ|pc|cK|pc|c6|pc|c7|pg||
pc|d3|nt|davidstern: Ah down below as we only have one table - sorry|pg||
pc|d2|pc|h4|nt|rv: @DK was crucial|pg||
pc|d4|pg||
nt|casenjo: Hi Karen :)|pg||
nt|sybarra: we are showing one table from each match |pg||
nt|davidstern: Hi Karen|pg||
mc|10|pg||
qx|o18|st||md|4SJ7432HAKQTDA4C65,SQTH986DK762C7432,SA985H72DT3CAKJT8,SK6HJ543DQJ985CQ9|sv|n|nt|kareno: David :)|pg||
nt|sybarra: so you can "pop" to other table to see score |pg||
nt|sybarra: Nickell v Hollman match |pg||
nt|rv: excellent play from the world's top ranked player|pg||
nt|vugraph7: nickell vs jacobs|pg||
nt|granguru: 6@S on a 2-2 @S split|pg||
nt|raija: anybody for 6@S on this one?|pg||
nt|sybarra: sorry Nickell v jacobs |pg||
nt|sybarra: duh |pg||
mb|p|mb|1S|mb|p|mb|2N!|an|LR+|nt|davidstern: Yes I would be happy to bid 6|pg||
mb|p|mb|3C!|an|ART FG|nt|davidstern: Not easy to bid|pg||
mb|p|nt|rv: think 3@c shows no stiff|pg||
mb|3D!|an|BAL |nt|raija: nope|pg||
nt|kareno: It's a tiny bit better than 2-2 spades.. could be single honor under the ace.|pg||
nt|davidstern: Singleton only on l;eft|pg||
nt|granguru: rite|pg||
nt|davidstern: Closed room missed it|pg||
mb|p|nt|davidstern: North has a minimum and South not much extra|pg||
nt|sybarra: for those that havent looked Nickell is +38 |pg||
mb|3H!|mb|p|nt|granguru: which makes a little less than 65% slam|pg||
nt|raija: not a surprise, just seeing all the cards, we dream of 6@S|pg||
nt|casenjo: Do we know who is playing at other table in this match?|pg||
mb|4C|nt|kareno: Hard to get south to cooperate with such terrible trumps.|pg||
nt|vugraph7: yes...Nunes-Fantoni Smith-Cohen|pg||
nt|casenjo: ty|pg||
nt|rv: difficult to see who will cross the 4@s level|pg||
mb|p|nt|granguru: Cheek, my feeling|pg||
nt|raija: when south has no idea of the big club suit providing tricks, i really don't know how they can go on|pg||
mb|4N|mb|p|mb|5H|nt|davidstern: Looking good|pg||
mb|p|nt|raija: nah, without the SQ and K i doubt it|pg||
nt|granguru: As Grue showed some slam intention with the 4@C cue..|pg||
nt|rv: Grue-Cheek know they need a big set and so if it close, they are bound to bid it|pg||
nt|raija: that is a good point|pg||
mb|6S|mb|p|nt|raija: lose big or take a chance to win the match|pg||
nt|kareno: But they don't want to just pitch IMPs.|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|pc|c3|nt|kareno: My guess is that this will be a pickup.|pg||
nt|rv: good for the neutrals, I am rooting for more of this|pg||
nt|granguru: claim after trick 3|pg||
nt|kareno: After the ace draws two small cards, he is 52% for the aplit.|pg||
pc|cA|pc|c9|pc|c5|pg||
pc|sA|pc|s6|pc|s2|pc|sT|pg||
pc|s5|pc|sK|pc|s3|pc|sQ|pg||
nt|raija: a sigh of relief|pg||
nt|rv: I have to add that for most of the neutrals a Nickell-Weed will be a dream final|pg||
nt|kareno: 13 much-needed IMPs to Hollman on this one.|pg||
nt|kareno: It's been a while since Jimmy Cayne was in the finals of a major KO.  |pg||
mc|12|pg||
qx|o19|st||md|1SA3HK64DQ97543CQ4,SQ7HJT93DA62C8762,SKJ9852HA2DJCAT95,ST64HQ875DKT8CKJ3|sv|e|mb|1D|mb|p|mb|1S|mb|p|mb|2D|nt|rv: which will be a near replay of last 2 Bermuda Bowl finals minus Bocchi-Duboin|pg||
mb|p|mb|2H!|an|art gf|mb|p|mb|2S|mb|p|nt|kareno: I'm thrilled that I will be reporting the match at the very end!!|pg||
mb|3S|mb|p|nt|rv: is 2@h some sort of retransfer?|pg||
mb|4S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|h7|nt|davidstern: This looks flattish|pg||
nt|rv: maybe 2@h is a GF relay, even playing 2/1 it is a good idea to play relays after GF is established combining best of std (openings) and strong club (relays)|pg||
nt|kareno: All worries will evaporate once the second spade is played.  No need to guess clubs for your contract!|pg||
pc|h4|pc|h9|pc|hA|pg||
pc|dJ|pc|dK|pc|d3|pc|d6|pg||
pc|h5|pc|hK|pc|h3|pc|h2|pg||
pc|c4|pc|c2|pc|cT|pc|cJ|pg||
pc|s4|pc|s3|pc|sQ|pc|sK|pg||
pc|s2|pc|s6|pc|sA|pc|s7|pg||
pc|h6|pc|hT|pc|s9|pc|hQ|pg||
nt|granguru: any card to win now|pg||
pc|sJ|pc|sT|pc|d4|nt|granguru: a push|pg||
mc|10|pg||
qx|o20|st||md|2S9654H98543DK98C4,SKT72HA7D73CK9765,SAQ8H2DQT652CAQT2,SJ3HKQJT6DAJ4CJ83|sv|b|nt|granguru: I wonder if small @C to the @CQ wasn't better at t2|pg||
mb|p|mb|1N|mb|p|mb|2C|mb|p|mb|2D|mb|p|mb|2H|mb|p|nt|rv: strange choice for vul opening, maybe playing for some swing potential|pg||
mb|2S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|rv: Cheek's sequence is garbage stayman to signoff in 2 of a major|pg||
nt|davidstern: Unfortunately may have kept the opps out of some trouble|pg||
pc|s3|nt|rv: Closed room had reached 3n going 2 down so another loss for Hollman, time is running out|pg||
nt|kareno: Well, I think he was looking for the trump return.|pg||
nt|davidstern: Not a particularly good lead for the defence|pg||
pc|s4|pc|sK|pc|sA|pg||
nt|davidstern: If East suspected a 4-3 fit would a heart force have been a better option|pg||
pc|d2|pc|d4|pc|d8|pc|d3|pg||
pc|dK|pc|d7|pc|d5|nt|rv: normally trump is the text book lead on this auction|pg||
nt|rv: Joe is making a good fist of this contract|pg||
pc|dA|pg||
nt|kareno: I don't think the trump lead damaged the defense.  More of the same will do fine.|pg||
pc|sJ|nt|kareno: Joe has done very well by getting diamonds right.. he almost had to guess them this way.|pg||
pc|s5|pc|s7|pc|s8|pg||
nt|rv: I think defense will win the race|pg||
pc|hK|pc|h3|nt|davidstern: The @S7 maight have been costly |pg||
nt|davidstern: Eats now forces West would have been sitting with 10-7 over 9-6|pg||
nt|rv: great duck of @SJ by Joe|pg||
nt|granguru: Grue went for a 3-3 @S split...|pg||
nt|davidstern: I suecot the North will get home here|pg||
nt|davidstern: suspect|pg||
nt|rv: agree David, Joe had no chance if had won @SJ|pg||
pc|hA|pc|h2|pg||
pc|c6|pc|cA|pc|c3|pc|c4|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|dJ|pc|s6|pc|s2|pg||
pc|dT|pc|h6|pc|d9|pc|sT|pg||
nt|granguru: @CK or a @H beats|pg||
pc|cK|pc|c2|pc|c8|pc|s9|pg||
pc|h4|pc|h7|nt|davidstern: In either event a pickup of 3 or 7 for Hollman|pg||
mc|6|pg||
qx|o21|st||md|3ST72HAQT76DA64CT9,SK84HK9842DQT73CA,SAJ63HJ5DK5CJ5432,SQ95H3DJ982CKQ876|sv|n|nt|vugraph7: for weed you mean|pg||
nt|davidstern: sorry yes|pg||
nt|kareno: Yes, Weed.|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|1H|mb|p|mb|1S|mb|p|mb|p|nt|rv: Nickell leading Jacobs by 38 IMPs, here lead is 54 IMPs very tough for either of the teams to come back|pg||
nt|rv: 1n balance or pass from west?|pg||
mb|1N|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|c3|nt|kareno: Time is running out.|pg||
pc|c6|pc|c9|pc|cA|pg||
pc|dQ|pc|dK|pc|d2|pc|d4|pg||
pc|sJ|pc|sQ|pc|s2|pc|s4|pg||
pc|d8|pc|d6|pc|d3|pc|d5|pg||
pc|d9|pc|dA|nt|granguru: chances for declarer have improuved a lot|pg||
nt|rv: Versace has guessed @ST position|pg||
pc|d7|pc|c2|pg||
nt|rv: he was always favorite to score 7 tricks now an OT possibly|pg||
pc|h6|pc|hK|pc|h5|pc|h3|pg||
pc|dT|pc|hJ|pc|dJ|pc|h7|pg||
nt|davidstern: 54 Imps is looming as a large defecit with boards running out|pg||
pc|cK|pc|cT|pc|h2|pc|c4|pg||
pc|cQ|pc|hT|pc|h4|pc|c5|pg||
pc|c7|pc|hA|pc|h8|pc|cJ|pg||
pc|s3|pc|s5|nt|rv: @HJ was a strange discard|pg||
pc|s7|pc|sK|pg||
nt|vugraph7: players are taking a short break|pg||
nt|rv: next board 800 peanlty given by Cohen-Smith, this match looks all but over|pg||
nt|kareno: Sure is looking in the bag for Weedo.|pg||
nt|davidstern: As he is surrounded by Italians maybe we should call him Gueedo|pg||
nt|kareno: Cute, David :)|pg||
nt|rv: lol|pg||
nt|davidstern: Never professed my comedy skills but if they can take a break i can try some humour|pg||
mc|8|pg||
qx|o22|st||md|4SAJ63H5D93CQ87543,S875H7642DJ742CK6,SQ92HKQ83DAKQTCJ9,SKT4HAJT9D865CAT2|sv|e|mb|1C|mb|p|mb|1D|nt|raija: wow - blood on the low level|pg||
mb|p|mb|1H|mb|p|mb|2H|mb|p|mb|p|nt|rv: in most people books Nickell and Weed were the top 2 seeds /  favorites and so it no surprise that they are likely to meeting in the finals though the ACBL seeding committe have ...|pg||
nt|rv: seeded them only 2 and 4 respectively|pg||
mb|p|nt|kareno: Much better result for e/w at this table.|pg||
nt|davidstern: Blood available here too|pg||
nt|kareno: The 1 seed is normally the Defenders.|pg||
nt|kareno: And there is a seeding formula for the rest of the field that results in draws among groups of 'equal' seeds, like 5-8 if I recall correctly.|pg||
nt|rv: Jacobs are the 3rd seed and are playing in the other SF against Nickell|pg||
pc|d9|pc|d2|pc|dT|pc|d5|pg||
pc|dA|pc|d6|pc|d3|pc|d4|pg||
pc|dK|pc|d8|pc|c8|pc|d7|pg||
pc|dQ|pc|hJ|pc|s3|pc|dJ|pg||
nt|rv: I don't agree with giving top seeding to defending champs, prefer to go with results of all tournies in recent past|pg||
pc|c2|pc|c3|pc|cK|pc|c9|pg||
pc|c6|pc|cJ|nt|davidstern: I won a pairs tourney in Australia and the next year was seeded 15th with same partner. I think there is a courtesy issue to seed them as highly as possible but not first|pg||
pc|cA|pc|c4|pg||
pc|cT|pc|cQ|pc|h7|pc|h8|pg||
nt|kareno: That may be better from a pure perspective; however, this method has been used since time immemorial in ACBL.|pg||
nt|davidstern: And therein lies the problem|pg||
pc|s2|pc|sT|nt|davidstern: So many poor practices in bridge tournaments keep on keeping on because they were done in the past|pg||
pc|sJ|pc|s5|pg||
nt|rv: in this case arguably the top pair in Ekeblad pair Greco-Hampson didn't even play for them this year|pg||
nt|davidstern: Organisers must review all practices each year to ensure it is in line with current thinking|pg||
nt|kareno: In all major events, we seed the winners No. 1.  Pairs as well.|pg||
nt|rv: highly debatable whether they deserved to be top seeds|pg||
nt|davidstern: That is not unreasonable but maybe the structure of the event should not confer so much advantage to higher seeds|pg||
pc|h5|pc|h2|pc|hQ|pc|hA|pg||
nt|kareno: Perhaps not.|pg||
pc|h9|nt|casenjo: any suggestions? |pg||
pc|c5|pc|h4|pc|hK|pg||
pc|s9|pc|sK|pc|sA|mc|5|pg||
qx|o23|st||md|1SJ964HAK82DT84CK4,SAKTHQJ765DQCAT32,SQ5H93DJ632CQ9865,S8732HT4DAK975CJ7|sv|b|mb|1D|mb|1H|nt|kareno: Not from me <smile>.. that's not a subject I really care passionately about.  If you are going to wih a major KO, then you have to beat the best teams anyway.|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|c5|pc|c7|nt|davidstern: Lauria obviously able to pass his 8 count with partner denying a strong club|pg||
pc|cK|pc|cA|pg||
pc|c3|pc|cQ|pc|cJ|pc|c4|pg||
nt|rv: agree Karen that is the right attitude if you are a participant, but from the outside it is worthwhile to debate|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|s2|pc|s4|pc|sA|pg||
nt|kareno: There is so much moaning and groaning when the brackets go up.. I always have a good laugh about it.|pg||
nt|davidstern: Australian teams playoffs have tried 6 different formats over the last 6 years to try and come up with a winning formula and the players do support this effort to find a good ...|pg||
nt|davidstern: solution|pg||
nt|casenjo: I prefer not to worry about things that I have no control over. If that's the way the brackets and seeding end up, so be it.|pg||
pc|dQ|pc|d2|pc|dA|pc|d4|pg||
pc|dK|pc|d8|pc|sT|pc|d3|pg||
pc|h4|pc|h2|pc|hJ|pc|h3|pg||
pc|c2|pc|c8|pc|hT|pc|s6|pg||
pc|s3|pc|s9|pc|sK|pc|s5|pg||
pc|h5|pc|h9|nt|davidstern: Cruising here|pg||
pc|s7|pc|h8|pg||
mc|9|pg||
qx|o24|st||md|2ST865HKT4DJ87CT43,SK9742H5DK6CAQ872,SJHAQ83DQ9532C965,SAQ3HJ9762DAT4CKJ|sv|o|nt|davidstern: And Weed putting the pedal to the meta;|pg||
nt|rv: Cohen-Smith have bid a very good slam on this one, no wastage in @hs and fitting cards|pg||
nt|davidstern: metal|pg||
nt|davidstern: 12 top tricks after the spade finesse marks itself|pg||
mb|1S|mb|p|mb|2C|mb|p|mb|3S|mb|p|mb|4D|mb|p|mb|4H|mb|p|mb|4S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|rv: if we were playing barometric and Hollman team knew the scores now, they may even concede at this stage|pg||
nt|raija: 4@H bid promising a club control|pg||
pc|d2|pc|d4|nt|davidstern: OK so 10 IMPS to Hollman still leave as 63 deficit with 8 to go|pg||
pc|d7|pc|dK|pg||
pc|s2|pc|sJ|pc|sA|pc|s5|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|s6|pc|s4|pc|d3|pg||
pc|s3|pc|s8|pc|s9|pc|h3|pg||
pc|sK|pc|h8|pc|h2|pc|sT|pg||
pc|c2|nt|rv: 2@c is possible a relay and 3@s must have known black 2 suiter?|pg||
pc|c5|mc|12|pg||
qx|o25|st||md|3SAK97HT43D86CAKT8,S432H8652DQJT743C,SQ65HJ97DAKC97654,SJT8HAKQD952CQJ32|sv|e|mb|1D!|mb|p|mb|1S|mb|p|mb|1N|mb|p|nt|rv: asking rate of 8 IMPs per board, akin to 12 runs a over in cricket|pg||
mb|3N|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|hA|nt|davidstern: Final analogy RV|pg||
nt|davidstern: Fine|pg||
pc|h3|pc|h2|pc|h9|pg||
pc|hK|pc|h4|pc|h5|pc|h7|pg||
nt|davidstern: No equity to pick up on this board|pg||
pc|hQ|pc|hT|pc|h6|pc|hJ|pg||
nt|davidstern: ONly lose|pg||
pc|c2|pc|cA|pc|d3|pc|c4|pg||
pc|cT|pc|d4|mc|9|pg||
qx|o26|st||md|4SA854HA853DQJ2C62,SQT96HQ6DA987CAKQ,SHT72DKT53CJ98753,SKJ732HKJ94D64CT4|sv|b|nt|kareno: This is the sort of hand that Weed want and Hollman hate.|pg||
mb|p|mb|1D|mb|1N|mb|p|nt|kareno: And the clock is ticking.. has pretty much ticked away Hollman's chances with the last board and this one.|pg||
mb|3D!|nt|davidstern: I would say that the fat lady has finished her aria is accepting a plea for an encore but......|pg||
mb|p|mb|4S|nt|kareno: I hope he is as pleased to have gotten to the semifinals of the Spingold as he truly should be.|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|davidstern: Being an oft times loser at thsi stage I am suspecting he may in the future be happy but not right now|pg||
pc|c8|nt|raija: yes, only a few make that|pg||
pc|c4|nt|raija: but losing is always disappointing|pg||
pc|c2|pc|cQ|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|c3|nt|davidstern: Not thsi stage of THIS event but this stage of major events|pg||
pc|s2|pc|s4|pg||
pc|sT|pc|c5|pc|s3|nt|rv: Hollman was the original 17th seeds, they have done remarkably done well to get this far|pg||
pc|s5|pg||
nt|davidstern: Is this the most prestigious event of the US Nationals|pg||
nt|casenjo: Yes, some things are more appreciated with age besides fine wine|pg||
pc|s6|pc|c7|pc|sK|pc|sA|pg||
pc|d2|nt|rv: all the other SFs (2, 3 and 4) expected to be here|pg||
nt|kareno: When we were playing the finals of the Albuquerque Women's team that we lost (by 5 painful IMPs) I told my teammates before the game that win, lose or draw, I was thrilled and I ...|pg||
nt|kareno: felt we all should be thrilled at the outcome.|pg||
pc|dA|nt|raija: i hope that applies to us girls too :)|pg||
pc|d3|pc|d4|pg||
pc|s9|pc|c9|pc|s7|pc|s8|pg||
pc|cA|pc|cJ|pc|cT|pc|c6|pg||
nt|kareno: And that was a World Championship :)|pg||
nt|rv: Hollman beat the top seeds Ekeblad after a stirring comeback in the R16|pg||
nt|casenjo: I was ecstatic (Karen was my partner). It was the first time I had played in the event.|pg||
nt|kareno: This and the Vanderbilt, the two major KO events are the prime events yes.|pg||
nt|davidstern: My suggestion is that nobody goes up to the Hollman team all smining faced and suggest how thrilled they should be to make it to here - maybe tomorrow would be OK|pg||
mc|12|pg||
qx|o27|st||md|1SA43H952DT93CAK96,SKT852HT87DJCT853,S96HK3DQ865CQJ742,SQJ7HAQJ64DAK742C|sv|o|nt|casenjo: Making the finals the first time in was great, especially since we were dead last the first day of the round robin|pg||
nt|davidstern: The Reisinger is therefore a lesser event of the three |pg||
nt|davidstern: Is that right|pg||
mb|1D|mb|p|mb|3C|an|5-4 minors less than 10 hcp|mb|d|nt|kareno: It is a different event.  BAM.  Very prestigious but only a three-day event.  It is considered among the top events of the year; however, I believe the KO's are given more ...|pg||
nt|kareno: prestige.|pg||
nt|casenjo: Still, very respected event....only 10 teams make the finals...of course years ago I was 11th :)|pg||
nt|rv: 3@s is probably fit showing|pg||
nt|davidstern: 3@c is some sort of intermediate diamond raise I suspect|pg||
nt|rv: showing @c+@d NF|pg||
mb|p|nt|kareno: They used to qualify 11 teams.  Twice I was eleventh and finished tenth in the event.  I was thrilled, believe me!!|pg||
nt|davidstern: Easy pass for South unless he wants to try 3NT if he believes the match is winnable with some sort of action|pg||
mb|3D|mb|p|nt|davidstern: Anywonf ro 6@S?|pg||
nt|casenjo: I know. The 1st year they qualified 10 teams was Seattle, and I was 11th. Or first underall|pg||
nt|davidstern: :)|pg||
nt|davidstern: Can beat 6@S by leading clubs and duscking spades maybe|pg||
mb|4H|nt|kareno: 6@s?  I lead a club.|pg||
mb|p|nt|rv: any idea what does 3@d show?|pg||
nt|davidstern: There are 12 tricks except you cant get them all|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|nt|davidstern: 3@d likely asking partner to pick a major or just shortage|pg||
pc|cK|nt|davidstern: 3@s over the double could be a 4-3-3-3 yarborough so wants to show some playing values|pg||
pc|c3|pc|c7|pc|h4|pg||
nt|davidstern: Anyway they have done well there|pg||
nt|rv: so 3@d shows some values unknown suit is it, an ultra modern auction|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|s3|pc|s2|pc|s6|pg||
nt|davidstern: Playing values not points|pg||
nt|rv: most of us would have just bid 3@s leaving partner to guess with 4@c or even 4@s|pg||
pc|dK|pc|d3|pc|dJ|pc|d5|pg||
pc|dA|pc|d9|pc|s5|pc|d6|pg||
pc|d4|pc|dT|pc|h7|pc|dQ|pg||
pc|c8|pc|cQ|pc|h6|pc|c6|pg||
pc|d7|pc|s4|pc|hT|pc|d8|pg||
nt|davidstern: That's the point there should be some way of telling partner you have something for him rather than bidding 3@s simply because he forced you to bid|pg||
nt|rv: this is why that Lauria is the world's top ranked player and Lauria-Versace are one of the best pairs in the world|pg||
nt|raija: feels like the fat lady is clearing her voice|pg||
mc|10|pg||
qx|o28|st||md|2SA653HAQ2DACKJ972,SK872HDT976432C86,SQ4HJT7643DKQ8CT4,SJT9HK985DJ5CAQ53|sv|n|nt|davidstern: No I think she is refusing toi sing an encore and is done done done!!!|pg||
mb|p|nt|raija: :)|pg||
mb|2D!|an|one major weak|mb|p|mb|2N|mb|3D|nt|rv: they have optimized the bidding system, looking to catre more percentage situations, thinking about lot of small points to avoid guessing|pg||
nt|casenjo: Since I am working in the am, I am saying goodnight to all. Will see you tomorrow evening!!!!!!!!|pg||
nt|kareno: Good night, Jo Anne|pg||
mb|p|an|show hearts|mb|p|nt|davidstern: Good night Jo Ann Thanks for your insights as always|pg||
nt|rv: Good night Jo Anne|pg||
nt|granguru: gn JA|pg||
nt|raija: thank you and good night Jo Anne :)|pg||
nt|kareno: Vesace is definitley not sitting on his lead :)|pg||
nt|rv: think Curtis will just bid 4@h|pg||
nt|kareno: Slam is pretty obscure opposite a weak 2.|pg||
mb|4H|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|davidstern: I have been asked by a few friends out there why we only have one table and I am embarrassed to say it is because of the lack of skilled, willing and available operators.|pg||
nt|kareno: Yes, 4@h, pass or correct.|pg||
pc|dT|pc|d8|pc|d5|pc|dA|pg||
nt|kareno: David, there is a big tournament going on now and people also want to play.|pg||
nt|davidstern: If you are interested in being trained as an operator why not contact BBO and help the ACBL avoid this in the future|pg||
nt|vugraph7: cheek alerted the pass of 3d as hearts|pg||
nt|granguru: Do they pay tickets from S.America?|pg||
pc|s3|pc|sK|pc|s4|pc|s9|pg||
nt|davidstern: I agree with that and was not making any comment on it simply advising. Also, there is no reason why people should not be employed to do this to ensure maximum coverage of the ...|pg||
nt|davidstern: sport we all love and get the word out there|pg||
pc|c6|pc|c4|pc|cA|pc|c2|pg||
pc|c3|pc|cK|pc|c8|pc|cT|pg||
nt|rv: Nickell have extended the lead to 51 IMPs after first few boards, we are inexorably moving towards the dream final|pg||
nt|kareno: Who should be paying them?  BB is providing this service without, I believe, charging for it.  The organizers?|pg||
nt|davidstern: Is there a playoff for 3rd/4th|pg||
nt|kareno: No there is no playoff.|pg||
nt|davidstern: The event organisers whose mandate is to promot ebridge should be paying for this|pg||
mc|10|pg||
qx|o29|st||md|3SJ9854HA4DK8732CT,S2HJ9DQT9CKJ87632,SKQHQ87632DAJ54CA,SAT763HKT5D6CQ954|sv|b|nt|granguru: Agree|pg||
mb|1C!|mb|1S|nt|rv: Nickell vs Weed near repeat of last 2 Bermuda Bowl finals, lot of pedigree and history associated between the 2 sets of players|pg||
nt|kareno: Kind of a light 1@c bid or is that my imagination?|pg||
nt|davidstern: If we don't extend oursleves and promote the game much like Poker has what chance will we have in the future. If we contunue to think about costs etc. in petty terms there will be ...|pg||
nt|davidstern: no bridge in 30 years time|pg||
mb|p|nt|rv: I prefer 1@h with North hand even playing precision|pg||
mb|2C|nt|kareno: I guess it fits the requirements but the suit is poor and I would not choose the bid.|pg||
nt|davidstern: Strong 1@C openers love to extend their ranges|pg||
nt|davidstern: I would not choose it with a poor suit|pg||
mb|p|mb|3C|mb|d|nt|rv: now a double from Curtis's hand to indicate penalty pass of @s?|pg||
mb|p|mb|3H|mb|p|nt|granguru: 3@H fearing a pen double from Cheek|pg||
nt|rv: 4@d now|pg||
mb|4D|nt|davidstern: I advertised for volunteers to do BBO operator jobs earlier this year and trained 5 new operators to work in my three day event and all of them only wanted their parking and tolls ...|pg||
nt|davidstern: paid and enjoyed it greatly. If this is typical we arent talking about a lot of money to extend the knowledgebase in this area|pg||
mb|p|mb|5D|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|granguru: 4@h were also there|pg||
nt|davidstern: Is 5@D a make ?|pg||
nt|rv: @s ruff should make this contract still born|pg||
pc|s2|pc|sQ|nt|granguru: @SA @S ruff|pg||
pc|sA|nt|davidstern: I suspect 4@h makes and 5@d doesn't|pg||
pc|s4|pg||
pc|s3|pc|s5|pc|dT|pc|sK|pg||
pc|c2|pc|cA|pc|c4|pc|cT|pg||
nt|kareno: The tournament in Chicago is actually quite expensive to attend, David.  Parking for locals might be quite a lot (I did not go so I'm not sure), hotels are very costly there.. I'm ...|pg||
nt|kareno: sure that all factors into why there weren't volunteers to man the computers.|pg||
nt|davidstern: Actually 4@h likely down with Spade and ruff and two hearts|pg||
nt|rv: good pressure by Lauria-Versace to make it difficult for NS|pg||
nt|davidstern: OK I'll drop this thread|pg||
nt|granguru: Y, @S ruff probably kills both games|pg||
nt|raija: they didn't come all the way to chicago to pass|pg||
pc|d4|pc|d6|pc|dK|pc|d9|pg||
pc|d2|pc|dQ|pc|dA|nt|davidstern: Pinning heart unlikely - as suggested after ruff run Queen|pg||
nt|rv: good bridge is as much as about not allowing opponents to get to their par|pg||
nt|kareno: Weed made 5@d in the closed room!|pg||
nt|kareno: Now it is officially over.  |pg||
nt|davidstern: Current trend in bridge is to bid on every hand and the reason is that the opponents are so worried about missing their own par spot that they rarely double|pg||
nt|davidstern: The fat lady has taken her bows and has left the building NOW|pg||
mc|10|pg||
qx|o30|st||md|4ST7543HQ9853DCAKQ,SKQ986H76DT83CT92,SHKT4DKJ9642C8543,SAJ2HAJ2DAQ75CJ76|sv|o|mb|1N|mb|2C|an|majors|mb|p|mb|2H|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|h2|nt|davidstern: Well Grue certainly preferred hearts to spades!|pg||
nt|rv: 2 slam swings away and still winning this set by 30+IMPs|pg||
pc|h3|pc|h7|pc|hT|pg||
pc|d2|pc|d5|pc|h5|pc|d3|pg||
pc|s3|pc|s6|nt|davidstern: 80 IMPS have been traded this set - a lot normally but not when one team is behind|pg||
pc|h4|pc|s2|pg||
pc|d4|pc|d7|pc|h8|pc|d8|pg||
pc|cA|pc|c2|pc|c3|pc|c6|pg||
pc|s4|pc|s8|pc|hK|pc|sJ|pg||
pc|c4|pc|c7|pc|cQ|pc|c9|pg||
nt|granguru: 80 is also the IMP difference between both teams|pg||
pc|cK|pc|cT|pc|c5|pc|cJ|pg||
pc|s5|nt|rv: I don' think Hollman tried anything ususual because they were down, they have just been outplayed by a superior team|pg||
nt|davidstern: As the embers burn out in this match|pg||
nt|davidstern: Thanks for joining us for the semi-final of the Spingold. It looks like Nickell will play Weed tomorrow in the final. Thanks to Venky, Jo Anne, Shirley and Karen for their comments ...|pg||
nt|davidstern: and to the ACBL for allowing us to present this event. Thanks also to Roland Wald our VG host and Fred Gittelman for making this awesome software available to us. Keep well and ...|pg||
nt|davidstern: good night to our US viewers and good morning to our Europeans|pg||
nt|rv: thanks Shirley for co-ordinating, my fellow commentators David, Karen, Max, Jo Anne, John and all specs|pg||
nt|rv: please be around in 13 hrs time for the dream final between Weed and Nickell|pg||
nt|rv: Weed is non playing captain of the team|pg||
nt|davidstern: Unfortunately I am at the wrong computer to give you the exact times but the schedule can be found at http://online.bridgebase.com/vugraph/index.php|pg||
nt|davidstern: Bear in mind that the players can decide to alterf this schedule and start a few minutes earlier or later|pg||
nt|davidstern: Nickell is ahead by 40 with about 7 to go|pg||
nt|kareno: See you all tomorrow for lots of exciting bridge!!|pg||
nt|vugraph7: That was the correct score|pg||
mc|9|pg||
qx|o32|st||md|2SJ86HADKT8732C642,SKT54HKQJ94D96CT3,S973HT875D5CQJ987,SAQ2H632DAQJ4CAK5|sv|e|nt|sybarra: and here we go |pg||
nt|pef: hello again|pg||
nt|rv: Hi all|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|2N|mb|p|mb|3D|mb|p|nt|sybarra: hello Venky |pg||
mb|3H|nt|raija: what a treat to get to watch the world's best pairs in these vugraphs|pg||
mb|p|nt|kareno: Truly it is!!|pg||
mb|3N|mb|p|nt|rv: Hi Peter, Shirley and Raija|pg||
nt|kareno: Hi all from Las Vegas where night has fallen|pg||
nt|rv: Hi Karen|pg||
nt|raija: hi Venky :)|pg||
mb|4H|mb|p|nt|kareno: Venky :)|pg||
nt|sybarra: Peter is actually in other room   |pg||
mb|p|nt|sybarra: hello again Karen |pg||
mb|p|nt|kareno: My neurologist is named Venkatesh also - maybe a distant relative of yours :)|pg||
nt|raija: should i be here or there?|pg||
nt|kareno: Shirley, always a pleasure @h|pg||
nt|sybarra: dty @H |pg||
nt|sybarra: do we know the pair at other table |pg||
pc|d8|nt|rv: on a good day slam might make, @DK offside here|pg||
pc|d9|pc|d5|nt|supermax: 3nt shows 5@h and 4@s     3@s=trsf to 3nt|pg||
nt|rv: Hi Max|pg||
pc|dJ|pg||
nt|sybarra: welcome Max |pg||
pc|h2|pc|hA|nt|supermax: ciao|pg||
pc|h4|pc|h5|pg||
pc|d2|pc|d6|pc|h7|pc|d4|pg||
pc|cJ|nt|granguru: hello all|pg||
mc|11|pg||
