vg|2011 Vanderbilt R8 A,Segment 3 of 4,I,33,48,Nickell,52,Fleisher,67|
rs|3SE+1,2SE+2,4SEx-3,3SE-2,3SS-1,2SN=,5DW-1,5DW-1,4SE+1,4SE=,5CW-1,3DE=,3NN=,4HN-2,3SN=,3SN=,4HS+1,4HS+1,3HS-2,3SE+1,3HW=,3HW=,4HW-3,4SN-1,4SE-2,5DE-4,4SE+1,4SE+1,4SW+1,4SW+1,4SW+1,4SW+1|
pn|Rodwell,Weinstein,Meckstroth,Levin,Kamil,Zia,Fleisher,Hamman|pg||
qx|o33|st||md|3S73HAT976D765CA87,SAK95HQJDK942CJT3,ST64H852DAQT83CQ2,SQJ82HK43DJCK9654|sv|o|mb|p|mb|p|mb|1H|mb|d|nt|lc: Matchup here (Vandy Round of 8) with 32 boards to go of what might be considered America's best 2 pairs.|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfc: welcome -- second half of the round of 8 match at the Vanderbilt in Louisville|pg||
mb|2D|nt|lc: Game for E-W (with 24 HCP) due to @CQ onside -- but not clear they will bid it.|pg||
mb|3S|nt|lc: Light 3rd seat white opening fairly "normal" these days.|pg||
nt|bigtrain: 2@D shows a "normal" single raise|pg||
nt|lc: Weinstein not likely to appreciate his cards to raise to 4 here.|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|nt|lc: Little does he know that the @HQJ are working.  The @C10 turns out to be a huge card.|pg||
mb|p|pc|d5|nt|lc: It used to be that Meckwell were the  1 U.S. Pair and there was no  2.  It was a multi-way tie for  2-6.|pg||
nt|lc: But now, many feel that Levin-Weinstein are  2.|pg||
nt|lc: Of course, there are others still in the discussion -- who might resent me declaring L-W as  2.|pg||
pc|d2|pc|dQ|pc|dJ|pg||
nt|jillan:  Zia and Hamman maybe  >)(|pg||
nt|lc: Well, lots of talent there, but not nearly as much partnership history and understandings.|pg||
pc|h8|nt|lc: Also in discussion would be:|pg||
pc|h4|pc|hA|pc|hJ|pg||
nt|lc: Greco Hampson    Gitelman Moss    Martel Stansby|pg||
nt|bigtrain: hampson-greco|pg||
nt|lc: Certainly the longest-running would be Martel-Stansby -- about 30 years, I think.|pg||
nt|lc: Although Meckwell are close.|pg||
nt|lc: Meckwell started in the late 70's !|pg||
nt|lc: If anyone want me to talk about the play in 3@S, I apologize.|pg||
pc|h7|pc|hQ|pc|h2|pc|h3|pg||
nt|bigtrain: doesn't look like it will be too challenging|pg||
nt|jillan:  noone does Larry |pg||
nt|lc: White at IMPs, there is no urgency to be in a game such as this -- a little worse than 50-50.|pg||
nt|lc: If VUL, it would be worthwhile -- but still hard to bid.|pg||
nt|lc: Take away the @C10 or even the @C9 and game is lousy.  Hard for players to diagnose such things -- no matter what the methods.|pg||
pc|s5|pc|s4|pc|sQ|pc|s3|pg||
pc|s2|pc|s7|pc|sA|pc|s6|pg||
nt|lc: So, while we watch the boring 3@S, as there are new viewers out there, let's talk about the pairs a little more...|pg||
pc|cJ|pc|c2|pc|c6|nt|lc: N-S, as I said a 30+ year partnership, use their own Strong @C system.|pg||
pc|cA|pg||
nt|lc: Luckily, we have big-train, Walter Johnson, commentating with us -- he might know the system better than they do!|pg||
nt|lc: Meckwell are in many people's mind the best pair in the world.|pg||
nt|lc: E-W are Levin-Weinstein, a 10-year partnership.|pg||
nt|lc: They have been real hot of late -- with many big wins.|pg||
nt|lc: Throughout the past 10 years they have amazed by winning the presteigous Cavendish Pairs over and over.|pg||
nt|jillan:  I would think in 99% of all bridge players mind through out the world|pg||
pc|d6|nt|lc: 5 times, i think?  Anyone know?|pg||
pc|d9|pc|dT|pc|s8|pg||
nt|lc: Well, Jill, I get accused of being too pro-American when I comment, so I have to temper my estimates.  :)|pg||
pc|hK|nt|lc: But, in my mind, they are the best.  :)|pg||
pc|h9|pc|d4|pc|h5|pg||
pc|sJ|pc|h6|pc|sK|pc|sT|pg||
pc|cT|mc|10|nt|jillan:  in mine to !|pg||
nt|lc: Mercifully, we will soon have Board 34, maybe more interesting.|pg||
pg||
qx|c33|st||md|3S73HAT976D765CA87,SAK95HQJDK942CJT3,ST64H852DAQT83CQ2,SQJ82HK43DJCK9654|sv|o|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|mb|1D|mb|p|mb|1S|mb|p|mb|2S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|d5|pc|d2|pc|dQ|pc|dJ|pg||
nt|jbgood: lucky club position makes 10?|pg||
nt|jbgood: hi all|pg||
pc|s4|pc|s2|pc|s7|pc|s9|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: hello Jon and specs|pg||
pc|cJ|pc|cQ|pc|cK|pc|cA|pg||
pc|hA|pc|hJ|pc|h2|pc|h4|pg||
nt|jbgood: Ham went for it and makes 10 without breething|pg||
pc|d7|pc|d9|pc|dT|pc|s8|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|s3|pc|s5|pc|s6|pg||
pc|sJ|pc|h7|pc|sK|pc|sT|pg||
pc|hQ|pc|h5|pc|h3|mc|10|pg||
qx|o34|st||md|4S2HA743DK842CT643,SQ7654HQ95DQJ6CQ9,S93HKJTDAT975CAK8,SAKJT8H862D3CJ752|sv|n|mb|2S|nt|lc: Many would open a "modern 2@S" with East.|pg||
nt|lc: I guess Levin is one of them.|pg||
mb|p|mb|4S|nt|lc: Easy 4@S now|pg||
nt|lc: Nice to be white against Red -- otherwise, Weinstein's 4@S would be scary.|pg||
mb|d|mb|p|nt|lc: Tough decision now for Rodwell.|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|nt|lc: I guess not too tough.|pg||
pc|c4|nt|jillan:  still scary, but I do not think he expects to win this|pg||
nt|lc: Surely, though, he can't be copmfortable passing with only 1 @S.  I guess he would need a 5-card suit to bid on the 5-level (and some shape).|pg||
nt|jillan:  just put pressure on the otehrs|pg||
nt|lc: So this looks like an easy 500 for N-S -- but do they have anything there way is the question?|pg||
pc|c9|pc|cK|pc|c5|pg||
nt|lc: I suppose 5@D isn't bad.|pg||
nt|jillan:  but he may have bittenhis thumb here|pg||
nt|lc: Looks like with a @D and a @S to lose, it would come down to the hearts.|pg||
pc|s3|nt|lc: Normal to play the hearts right (since you can pick up more heart splits if WEST has the @HQ), so I think 5@D would have been +600.|pg||
pc|sA|pc|s2|pc|s4|pg||
nt|lc: Rodwell, had he bid, would have tried 4NT takeout, and Meck would have played 5@D.|pg||
nt|lc: Anyway, a sure 500 is probably better than a maybe 600.|pg||
pc|c2|pc|c3|pc|cQ|pc|cA|pg||
pc|hT|pc|h8|pc|hA|pc|h5|pg||
pc|h3|pc|h9|pc|hJ|pc|h2|pg||
pc|hK|pc|h6|pc|h4|pc|hQ|pg||
pc|dA|nt|lc: As we can see, (put Cursor over Closed Room under the score on the left), other table has no 2@S opener and a slow partscore auction.|pg||
mc|7|pg||
qx|c34|st||md|4S2HA743DK842CT643,SQ7654HQ95DQJ6CQ9,S93HKJTDAT975CAK8,SAKJT8H862D3CJ752|sv|n|nt|wstuart: Hi all.|pg||
mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil animatedly whispering something to zia, shushed by fleisher|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|1N|mb|2S|an|just spades|nt|wstuart: Many players would consider opening 2@S with east|pg||
nt|jbgood: dbl for to?|pg||
mb|d|an|takeout|nt|Vugraphzfd: zia asks kamil if they play lebensohl and what else in this position|pg||
mb|3S|nt|jbgood: if Zia goes too heavy he may be in for some heavy pen|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher attempts to bid 3@D, hamman makes him put it back|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: no longer an easy decision, taking more time, pointing with his finger back and forth|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|nt|jbgood: heart finesse makes 5d|pg||
mb|p|nt|jbgood: very cheap ...|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil talks with his hands.  gestured helplessly at the tray when it came (belatedly) back|pg||
pc|c4|pc|c9|pc|cK|pc|c5|pg||
pc|s3|pc|sA|pc|s2|pc|s4|pg||
pc|c7|pc|c6|pc|cQ|pc|cA|pg||
pc|hT|pc|h2|pc|hA|pc|h5|pg||
nt|wstuart: Should be out ffor -2.|pg||
pc|h3|pc|h9|pc|hJ|pc|h6|pg||
pc|hK|pc|h8|pc|h4|pc|hQ|pg||
pc|dA|pc|d3|pc|d8|pc|d6|pg||
mc|7|pg||
qx|o35|st||md|1SA8765HQT7DAT6CJ4,SKQ3H864DKQ874C76,SJT4HAJ5DJ953CAT3,S92HK932D2CKQ9852|sv|e|nt|jillan:  for sure, IF they do not reach 5@D and make it at the other table that is|pg||
mb|1S|mb|p|mb|1N|mb|2C|mb|p|nt|lc: Meck planning a delayed 3@S (3-card raise), but probably was tempted to bid only 2@S opposite a white 1st seat opener.|pg||
mb|2N|nt|lc: Brave overcall by Levin at these colors.|pg||
nt|lc: I would have passed.|pg||
mb|p|mb|3C|mb|p|mb|p|mb|3S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|lc: Looks like nobody can make the 3-level here.|pg||
pc|c7|nt|lc: I doubt Meck was happy about bidding 3@S (suspecting only 8 trumps).  Walter--I presume Rodwell could have doubled 2@C with shortness there (even if iminimum?)|pg||
nt|lc: Because, if South denied short clubs, North knows there are at most 16 trumps on this deal -- in which case bidding 3 on a flattish hand like North's (with lots of "junk" on the ...|pg||
nt|lc: side  @HJ  @DJ  @C10) feel anti-Law.|pg||
nt|lc: Although the guy does have 68,000 masterpoints.|pg||
nt|lc: Rodwell, of course, doesn't know he is doomed.  There are finesse positions all over the place.  They just happen to all lose.|pg||
nt|lc: Is anyone here with me -- or did I scare everyone away?|pg||
pc|cA|pc|c5|nt|lc: Some unnamed commentator private messaged me that Meckstroth might have 70,000 if he Followed the LAW  :)|pg||
pc|c4|pg||
pc|sJ|pc|s2|pc|s5|pc|sK|pg||
nt|jillan:  Larry, the kibbitzers want me to tell you they have all fallen asleep|pg||
nt|lc: I guess I had better say something funnier, then.  :)   Or get livlier deals.|pg||
nt|jillan:  2@S, 3@S folloed by anotehr 2@S and rthen 3@S again. Enough already LOL|pg||
nt|lc: Note the Closed Room result -- N-S lots of bids to reach 2@S and made it.|pg||
pc|d4|pc|d3|pc|d2|pc|dT|pg||
nt|casenjo:  well, we can't have larry alone|pg||
nt|lc: Well, actually, when I was playing, I preferred deals like these.  Just grind-it-out bridge.  As opposed to freak deals, huge swings on finesses, lots of luck, etc.|pg||
nt|jillan:  At least one says she loves it when you commentate Larry, Can't for the love of me understand what she measn LO LOL OLO|pg||
nt|lc: I would be happy to have 16 partscore deals for a set of deals.  As a player.  Not as a commentator or writer, though.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  Paul Soloway used to say "the averagehand is a partscore, the average hand is boring"|pg||
pc|sA|pc|s3|pc|s4|pc|s9|pg||
nt|casenjo:  But like Larry I love the partscore swings|pg||
nt|lc: That @D play from Weinstein looked curious.|pg||
pc|hQ|pc|h4|pc|h5|nt|mcphee: awkward for sure|pg||
pc|hK|pg||
pc|cK|pc|cJ|pc|c6|pc|c3|pg||
pc|cQ|pc|s8|pc|sQ|pc|cT|pg||
mc|8|nt|lc: Well, the @D play cost an IMP, I suppose.  This will be 4 to FLEISHER instead of 5 for -2.|pg||
pg||
qx|c35|st||md|1SA8765HQT7DAT6CJ4,SKQ3H864DKQ874C76,SJT4HAJ5DJ953CAT3,S92HK932D2CKQ9852|sv|e|nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil: "4441 with @HA and @DK. as usual I was too chicken to bid again"|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|1C|mb|p|mb|1H!|an|!s|mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil forgets to alert 1@H, zia points to it, kamil wakes up: "sorry thinking about the last hand"|pg||
mb|1S|an|2-3 spades, can be unbal+weak|mb|p|mb|2C!|an|checkback|mb|p|mb|2D!|mb|p|nt|wstuart: 1@H was a xfr to @S, 2@D was 'xyz" simliar to 2 way NMF, which forced 2@D I think.|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil spills the bidding cards off his tray|pg||
mb|2S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfd: zia tried to lead @H5, kamil threw it back|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil: I have a better hand than you do|pg||
pc|cK|nt|wstuart: 2@S after the forced 2@D showed inv hand|pg||
pc|c4|pc|c6|pc|cA|pg||
pc|s4|pc|s9|pc|sA|pc|s3|pg||
pc|s5|pc|sQ|pc|sT|pc|s2|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil said 1@S showed 2-3 and a weak NT, that fleisher might be weak with 4 spades but he(Kamil) would never do that|pg||
pc|c7|pc|c3|pc|cQ|pc|cJ|pg||
pc|h2|pc|hQ|pc|h4|pc|h5|pg||
pc|s6|pc|sK|pc|sJ|pc|c9|pg||
pc|h8|pc|hA|pc|h3|pc|h7|pg||
pc|cT|pc|c2|pc|hT|pc|d4|pg||
pc|dJ|pc|d2|pc|d6|pc|dK|pg||
pc|h6|mc|8|nt|jbgood: no endplay now - so 110|pg||
pg||
qx|o36|st||md|2SK98HAKT32D93C632,STH54DKQ742CAKQ87,SAJ765HJ7D8CJT954,SQ432HQ986DAJT65C|sv|b|mb|1D|mb|1S|mb|d|mb|2C|an|cue bid with spades|nt|jillan:  suits not well distributed here in 5@D|pg||
mb|3C|mb|p|nt|lc: Lotf of wastage, anyway.|pg||
nt|lc: with 2@C being artificial, that makes 3@C natural.|pg||
mb|5D|nt|jillan:  isn't that nice LOL pure math|pg||
nt|lc: Levin knows he is facing a good distributional hand, so his 5@D doesn't surprise me.|pg||
mb|p!|mb|p|mb|p|pc|sA|nt|lc: Not only was 3@C a free bid, but possibly it was "Good-Bad" -- they play a lot of these 3-level bids as showing extras (don't know if it applied here).|pg||
nt|lc: (so 2NT would have shown a weaker 3-level bid and Puppeted to 3@C).|pg||
pc|s2|pc|s9|pc|sT|pg||
pc|hJ|nt|lc: Essential shift -- but probably wasn't too hard.|pg||
pc|hQ|pc|hK|nt|lc: Whatever the @S9 meant.|pg||
pc|h5|pg||
pc|hA|nt|lc: Maybe the @SK would have been a clearer signal.|pg||
nt|lc: In fact, I like that play -- hit partner over the head.|pg||
mc|10|nt|lc: Although this partner didn't need the hit.|pg||
pg||
qx|c36|st||md|2SK98HAKT32D93C632,STH54DKQ742CAKQ87,SAJ765HJ7D8CJT954,SQ432HQ986DAJT65C|sv|b|nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher: sorry I screwed that up|pg||
mb|1D|mb|1S|mb|d|nt|jbgood: can they stop below 5@d?|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: zia was ready to bid before hamman had taken his hand from the board|pg||
mb|2D|mb|4C|nt|Vugraphzfd: now whips down the 4@C card|pg||
nt|jbgood: the 1 @s bid would not be recommended in bridge books...|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: loudly flipped the trick where hamman had led away from @HK last hand as well|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: and conversing with sabine behind his shoulder while tray is on the other side of the table|pg||
nt|chorush: I can't see how Hamman will fail to bid 5 diamonds|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher points at 4C.  hamman raises hands in an "I don't know" gesture|pg||
mb|p|mb|5D|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|sA|pc|s2|pc|s8|pc|sT|pg||
pc|hJ|pc|h6|pc|h3|pc|h4|pg||
pc|h7|pc|h8|pc|hT|pc|h5|pg||
mc|10|pg||
qx|o37|st||md|3SJ82HK96DQJ3CAQT5,S95HQJ7532DA652CJ,S64HA84D9C9876432,SAKQT73HTDKT874CK|sv|n|mb|p|mb|1S|nt|lc: Not likely N-S will get in -- is i?|pg||
mb|p|mb|1N|mb|p|nt|lc: Rodwell close to a X, but with poor shape opp PH and VUl against not, it would be too much to ask for.|pg||
mb|3S|mb|p|mb|4S|nt|lc: If the @S2 were the @H2  he could have doubled.|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|lc: Practical 3@S by Levin, instead of a scientific 2@D.|pg||
pc|dQ|nt|lc: And a very good contract is reached -- much better than 5@D (which 2@D might have led to).|pg||
nt|jillan:  They reached the same contract at th eother table|pg||
pc|d2|pc|d9|pc|dK|pg||
nt|lc: With this lead, the @D suit can be picket up.|pg||
pc|sK|nt|casenjo:  looks like a normal contract|pg||
pc|s8|nt|lc: For an overtrick.|pg||
pc|s5|pc|s4|pg||
pc|sA|pc|s2|pc|s9|pc|s6|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|sJ|pc|h2|nt|lc: Well, it might be "normal" but 5@D on the 5-4 fit was certainly a possiblity -- and would have been down.|pg||
pc|c9|pg||
pc|d4|pc|d3|pc|d5|pc|c4|pg||
mc|11|pg||
qx|c37|st||md|3SJ82HK96DQJ3CAQT5,S95HQJ7532DA652CJ,S64HA84D9C9876432,SAKQT73HTDKT874CK|sv|n|nt|Vugraphzfd: sorry for the interruption|pg||
mb|p|mb|1S|nt|Vugraphzfd: after the hand fleisher said he thought 4@C might be a splinter (looking at J-5th himself)|pg||
mb|p|mb|1N|mb|p|mb|2D|mb|p|mb|2H|mb|p|mb|3S|nt|chorush: tough hand here. Game making in spades but not diamonds. This should get them there|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher looks at 3@S for a while before pushing the tray|pg||
mb|p|mb|4S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfd: zia: kokish! you bid like eric kokish!|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher: that's why there are screens here,so you don't know who you're playing with|pg||
nt|chorush: Bidding 3 spades was a very practical bid by Hamman|pg||
nt|jbgood: guess Kamil knows:)|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: s2|pg||
pc|s2|pc|s5|nt|jbgood: a fast claim coming|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher: I always think in 3rd hand, bob, you probably know that|pg||
pc|s6|nt|Vugraphzfd: "can I see that?"|pg||
pc|s7|pg||
pc|sA|pc|s8|pc|s9|pc|s4|pg||
pc|sK|pc|sJ|pc|h2|pc|c4|pg||
pc|d8|nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil playing with @DJ|pg||
pc|dJ|pc|dA|pc|d9|pg||
pc|d2|mc|10|nt|chorush: This is a mild plus position for Nickell|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: apparently no live video tonight, sorry all|pg||
nt|jbgood: live bridge is ok|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher leaves the room - kamil follows shortly after.  zia. kibitzes cheek-grue table|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil on his way out said to christal: good to have you here.  when I pass I know you would be with me.|pg||
nt|jbgood: yes - we ignorant Europeans wonder why they dont play the same boards...|pg||
nt|chorush: Shows what i know. Levin-Weinstein made 5 somehow|pg||
pg||
qx|o38|st||md|4SK43H94DT762CAQ87,S2HAJ63DQ3CJ65432,SQ8765HKQT852D94C,SAJT9H7DAKJ85CKT9|sv|e|nt|lc: Rodwell will be pleased to see this was costing only an overtrick.|pg||
mb|1D|nt|lc: Likely 3NT E-W -- but will N-S interfere enough?|pg||
mb|p|mb|1H|mb|2H|nt|lc: Note to everyone : Make sure you know what  1@D-Pass-1@H-2@H means.|pg||
mb|d|an|good hand, short hearts|nt|lc: I like to play it as NATURAL -- as apparently Meckwell do, too.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  I'm sure this pair knows|pg||
mb|p|nt|lc: It's amazing how many pairs discuss things like Upside-down-Pineapple convention -- and forget to discuss auctions like this one.|pg||
nt|lc: Also, for pairs who play Support Doubles, important to know what this double means -- and again, it has been discussed.|pg||
nt|jillan:  sorry Jo Anne, I mean|pg||
nt|lc: AS you would expect for this level of competition.|pg||
nt|lc: Interesting decision now for Weinstein.|pg||
nt|lc: Too good for 3@C, I would think.|pg||
mb|4C|mb|p|nt|lc: So does he think.  :)|pg||
nt|lc: So, likely will play 5@C, maybe doubled.|pg||
mb|5C|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|lc: Very nice contract -- probably better than 3NT.|pg||
nt|lc: Some handling issues, but it looks like the cards (other than the trumps) are cooperating.|pg||
nt|lc: But, if a @H has to be ruffed in dummy?|pg||
nt|lc: That sets up 3 trumps tricks.|pg||
nt|lc: So, double dummy, it might make (run @D), but that isn't a likely line at all.|pg||
pc|hQ|nt|casenjo:  yes, if Eric stars with and continues hearts he will get three trump tricks|pg||
pc|h7|pc|h4|pc|hA|pg||
pc|c4|nt|lc: GIB thinks it is a make, but I doubt he will make it.|pg||
pc|h2|pc|c9|pc|cQ|pg||
nt|jillan:  we will see...|pg||
nt|lc: Rodwell can see that a @H back beats it for sure.|pg||
pc|cA|pc|c2|pc|s8|pc|cT|pg||
pc|h9|nt|lc: Or the @CA then a @H -- just as good.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  nice defense|pg||
pc|h3|pc|hT|pc|cK|pg||
nt|lc: Nice to be dealt those @C spots and see it right in front of you.|pg||
nt|jillan:  there are reasons why Meckwell are considered th ebest pair in the world, Hopefully we will see some more proof of that here |pg||
pc|d5|nt|lc: I wonder if 3NT would have made.|pg||
pc|d6|pc|dQ|pc|d4|pg||
pc|d3|pc|d9|pc|dA|pc|d2|pg||
nt|casenjo:  pretty easy defense with East as dummy, not so easy if West is declarer, but don't know how he can play it|pg||
pc|dK|pc|d7|nt|lc: Looks complicated.|pg||
mc|10|pg||
qx|c38|st||md|4SK43H94DT762CAQ87,S2HAJ63DQ3CJ65432,SQ8765HKQT852D94C,SAJT9H7DAKJ85CKT9|sv|e|nt|Vugraphzfd: players back|pg||
mb|1D|mb|p|mb|1H|mb|p|mb|1S|mb|p|mb|2D|nt|wstuart: They should be congratulated for making it 5 whole boards before requiring a break.|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher pointing at all the bids around the tray, twirling his hair|pg||
mb|2H|mb|3D|mb|p|mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfd: another lightning pass from zia|pg||
mb|p|nt|jbgood: and then Zia gets to show his clubs - if Ham passes - not so|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: zia: 1@S distributional, 4144 or 4-5|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher and hamman whispering about the inferences as well|pg||
pc|d2|nt|Vugraphzfd: dummy hits.  hamman: "oh well"|pg||
nt|athene: hi good evening everyone|pg||
nt|chorush: Hamman is concerned that 3NT was a make. And it might be|pg||
nt|jbgood: or was it "not so well"?|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: zia spreads dummy's clubs halfway across the table.  fleisher asks if he can straighten them.  zia: put them wherever you want - kamil and kibitzers have a laugh|pg||
nt|wstuart: Note that Hamman was content that his vlaues were expressed by the simple 3@D bid in competition.|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: hamman takes his glasses off, says "well" again, still planning|pg||
nt|wstuart: I see many players who bid 3@D on very minimal values regularly, but when they have a goodish hand, they have no way to bid it.|pg||
nt|chorush: I'm not sure that is true. I don't know what dbl of 2H would mean as they play|pg||
nt|jbgood: quite a few would have bid 1 NT instead of 2@d on Zia's hand. Perhaps he regrets it . in the post mortem|pg||
pc|dQ|pc|d4|pc|d5|pg||
pc|c2|nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher seemed unprepared|pg||
pc|h5|pc|cK|pc|cA|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: for the low club exit|pg||
nt|wstuart: if you[re sure your pard is unbalanced 2@D has a lot going for it vs 1NT.|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: lots of sniffling at this table, hamman then zia then fleisher|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil bobs his head to some rhtyhm only he can hear|pg||
nt|chorush: 5 clubs is a good contract that would be done in by the 4-0 break. If they tap Hamman hand by making him ruff a heart kamil gets a third club trick in 5 clubs|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: toying with @d6|pg||
pc|d6|pc|d3|pc|d9|pc|dA|pg||
pc|dK|pc|dT|pc|c3|pc|s5|pg||
nt|jbgood: and 3@d makes now|pg||
nt|chorush: Kamil has to win the first club to lead a heart or else duck 2 clubs|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: director policing rule that kibitzers may not join vugraph tables midway through.  so for anyone in louisville who wants to watch the semis in person, be on time for the start of ...|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: the session.|pg||
nt|jbgood: still I think Hamman would get 2 spades .5 diamonds a club and a heart?|pg||
nt|chorush: In the other room 5 clubs did go down 1, probably by establishing a 3rd trump trick, so 5-6 imps are at stake here|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher gesturing with his hand trying to look a few tricks ahead.  hamman still as usual|pg||
pc|s9|pc|s3|pc|s2|pc|sQ|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: had @ST chosen at the beginning of that long think, eventually went with @S9|pg||
pc|hK|nt|Vugraphzfd: hamman puts down his cards and crosses his arms|pg||
pc|h7|pc|h9|pc|hA|pg||
pc|h3|pc|hT|pc|d8|pc|h4|pg||
pc|dJ|pc|d7|pc|c4|pc|h2|pg||
pc|cT|pc|cQ|pc|c5|pc|h8|pg||
nt|jbgood: and he plays double dummy now|pg||
pc|c7|pc|cJ|pc|s6|pc|c9|pg||
pc|c6|pc|hQ|pc|sT|pc|c8|pg||
nt|jbgood: nice |pg||
mc|9|nt|chorush: nicely declarerd and defended|pg||
pg||
qx|o39|st||md|1ST92HK752DK42CJT7,SJ83H6DJT63CKQ864,SAK7HAJT4DQ97CA32,SQ654HQ983DA85C95|sv|b|nt|lc: 7 top tricks in 3NT -- and declaer would work on @C -- and defense needs to build 3 tricks outside of @C.|pg||
nt|lc: 3NT or 4@H for the boys?|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|nt|lc: Certainly they will reach game with 25 HCP Red.|pg||
mb|1C|an|strong|mb|p|mb|1D|mb|p|nt|lc: I doubt they will find hearts.  |pg||
mb|1N|an|18-19|mb|p|nt|lc: 1NT 17-18 Walter?  Or 18-19?|pg||
mb|3N|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|h3|nt|lc: I think 3rd seat 1NT is 15-17 here, so 18-19 makes sense.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  would they want to find hearts both hands being 4-3-3-3?|pg||
nt|lc: The seven from dummy looks like a useful play here!|pg||
nt|lc: If dummy plays low, the 6 forces the 10 and then East has a @H trick.|pg||
nt|lc: If the 7 is played, then N-S have 4 @H tricks.|pg||
pc|h7|nt|lc: What does Rule of 11 say ... lets' sett|pg||
pc|h6|pc|h4|pg||
nt|lc: Meck -- you are too fast.  But good!!!!|pg||
nt|lc: Nice play.|pg||
pc|h2|nt|lc: Probably the 7 couldn't hurt but could only help.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  Jeff is now up to eight tricks|pg||
nt|lc: As to how Levin feels now, that is why I am happy to be in retirement.|pg||
nt|lc: Of course, @S would have worked much better.|pg||
nt|lc: But, he just led 4th from longest and strongest.|pg||
nt|lc: Actually, I didn't let such things like that bother me much.  You can't worry about those things.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  Larry, what 3 pitches do you think Weinstein will make?|pg||
nt|lc: You just lead 4th best and don't zig and zag and luck will even out (you'd think).|pg||
nt|emre kaya: normalde böyle laflar edemem belki:)|pg||
nt|emre kaya: sry|pg||
nt|lc: Oh -- Weinstein has to make 3 pitches?  Against 3NT by Meck? That is another reason I am happily retired. :)|pg||
nt|casenjo:  lol|pg||
pc|c4|pc|hA|pc|h8|pg||
pc|hJ|nt|lc: Let's see -- Probably he can painlessly throw spades -- I'd think he has to keep @C and @D.|pg||
pc|h9|pc|h5|nt|casenjo:  Larry, your audience wants you to unretire|pg||
nt|lc: Usually, though, you try to pitch from the 5-card suit not right away -- because it tends to give it away when you throw one immediately (something about the idle 5th).|pg||
nt|lc: If they want me to unretire, I can't do Vugraph. :)  Maybe that's why they want it. :) :)|pg||
nt|lc: Anyway, Levin can give only so much help by the order in which he is playing his hearts.|pg||
nt|lc: You would think Weinstein would have to guard both minors with his hand  -- although, surely, a @S discard could easily be fatal on many layouts of that suit.|pg||
pc|c6|pg||
pc|hT|pc|hQ|pc|hK|pc|s3|pg||
nt|lc: So, where there are 8 tricks, there are usually 9. This looks complicated.|pg||
nt|lc: Bob Hamman, Jeff Meckstroth -- those are the players who have been here a thousand times -- and you would want at the wheel in this situation.|pg||
nt|lc: Whereas the average player can't even remember the discards, Meck will not only know the discards, but be able to read something into them (table feel).|pg||
nt|casenjo:  Jeff is usually a very fast player, but will take his time on this one|pg||
pc|sT|pc|sJ|pc|sA|nt|lc: There is a good chance he suspects the actual remaining shapes.|pg||
pc|s6|pg||
nt|lc: Potential endplay positions all over the place -- and everyone knows this is 10-12 big IMPs at stake in a close match.|pg||
nt|lc: I feel the intensity from here.|pg||
nt|lc: Surely, most viewers know they can click GIB -- and know that declarer "can" prevail.|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfc: even Rodwell (dummy) seems to be thinking hard |pg||
nt|lc: Even looking at all 4 hands, though, it is not obvious which plays work -- so for Meck, single dummy, this is quite a challenge.|pg||
nt|lc: 3 suits in play -- and all 3 have endplay potential.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  on King of spades and a spade won't Weinstein be squeezed?|pg||
pc|c3|pc|c5|pc|cJ|pc|cK|pg||
nt|lc: Weinstein will win and play a @S, you would think.|pg||
nt|lc: Weinstein doesn't want to break either minor, so a @S is straightforward -- but maybe he is thinking of tactical reasons to try something else.|pg||
nt|lc: Many of you may know, that Weinstein is one of the world's best Poker players.|pg||
pc|d6|pc|d9|nt|lc: And that is a poker-like play.|pg||
nt|lc: The straight-forward spade would have made things more interesting.  Now we are done.|pg||
nt|lc: What might he have been thinking?  I can't say I see it.|pg||
nt|lc: Meck did do quite well to play the @D9 and not the @D7 -- and quickly, too.|pg||
pc|dA|pc|d2|pg||
pc|d5|pc|dK|pc|dT|pc|d7|pg||
nt|casenjo:  perhaps he was following Bobby Levin's order of heart spots, he did signal for diamonds|pg||
pc|c7|nt|lc: The @D7 might have catered to  J8x or 108x -- as opposed to J10x.|pg||
pc|c8|pc|cA|pc|c9|pg||
pc|dQ|pc|d8|pc|d4|pc|d3|pg||
pc|sK|nt|casenjo:  Meckstoth is now a happy camper|pg||
nt|lc: I thought Levin played all his @H up the line.|pg||
mc|9|pg||
qx|c39|st||md|1ST92HK752DK42CJT7,SJ83H6DJT63CKQ864,SAK7HAJT4DQ97CA32,SQ654HQ983DA85C95|sv|b|nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher: what were your spades, bob?|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil: AJT9! that was the problem. think I could have done better|pg||
mb|1C|mb|p|mb|1D!|nt|jbgood: normal 4@h - going down - here|pg||
mb|p|nt|chorush: This should be a 2nt rebid and hesitant raise to 3NT by Kamil|pg||
nt|chorush: srry, a raise in heart|pg||
nt|jbgood: some play 2 NT - others play 4@h on this N hand|pg||
mb|3H|an|same as 1C-1H-3H|mb|p|nt|chorush: although in the distinct minority, I believe that Fleisher should still rebid 2NT|pg||
mb|4H|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfd: zia: you never get to play a hand!|pg||
pc|s4|nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil: I told you, we play 1-way transfers|pg||
nt|jbgood: not so many 3 @h...|pg||
nt|chorush: This will just not fetch|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: EW lead 4th best from an honor|pg||
nt|jbgood: 3 NT next door i am told|pg||
pc|sT|pc|sJ|pc|sA|pg||
pc|d7|pc|dA|pc|d2|pc|d3|pg||
nt|chorush: I would be shocked to see anything make but I expect 4H to be minus more than 3NT|pg||
pc|d5|nt|tez: bakalým batýrabilecekler mi|pg||
nt|tez: hi all..sry|pg||
nt|jbgood: @d Ace: I want to protect my heart trick!|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher again counting out line of play and sighs|pg||
pc|d4|pc|dT|pc|dQ|pg||
pc|h4|nt|chorush: I see that 3NT made in the other room. Don't know how the play or defense went but i am certain declarer played brilliantly|pg||
pc|h3|pc|hK|pc|h6|pg||
pc|h2|pc|c6|nt|jbgood: he might surely be defending against a 4-5-3-1 hand with less values|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: calls @HK with quavering voice, then says ohh-kay when C6 hits|pg||
nt|athene: north got a heart lead against 3nt in the other room (they never investigated hearts)|pg||
nt|athene: he stuck the 7 in from dummy so made all 4 hearts|pg||
pc|hT|pc|hQ|pg||
nt|athene: and later the defence got endplayed again|pg||
pc|c9|nt|chorush: Score this one up to the strong club, that left east a blind lead|pg||
pc|cJ|pc|cK|pc|cA|pg||
nt|athene: partly, but also a victory for just bidding 3nt on the 4333|pg||
nt|jbgood: another example of Allan Graves' motto: dont tell the opps what you have if you dont have to!|pg||
pc|hA|pc|h8|pc|h5|pc|c4|pg||
pc|hJ|pc|h9|pc|h7|pc|s8|pg||
pc|c3|pc|c5|mc|8|pg||
qx|o40|st||md|2SQ97HQT43DA9CJT54,S6543HK86DK52CKQ3,SKJT82H92DQJT73CA,SAHAJ75D864C98762|sv|o|mb|p|mb|1S|mb|p|mb|2S|nt|lc: No result from the Closed Room on 39 makes me think they are also in a slow 3NT.|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|d|nt|lc: I hope Meck passes, so I can make sure Levin balances.|pg||
nt|lc: Okay - -good boys.|pg||
mb|p|mb|2N|nt|lc: No XX by Rodwell to show a max?  A little surprising.|pg||
mb|3S|mb|p|nt|lc: 2NT scrambling.|pg||
nt|lc: Says-- Partner -- you pick.|pg||
nt|bigtrain: back from picking up dinner... i miss anything?  :)|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|pc|c9|nt|lc: But, no need to, as Meck has an obvious 3@S bid with his shape -- doesn't want to defend a 3-level contract.|pg||
pc|c4|nt|lc: Some handling issues here.|pg||
pc|c3|pc|cA|pg||
pc|dQ|pc|d4|pc|d9|pc|dK|pg||
pc|s5|pc|s2|pc|sA|pc|s7|pg||
nt|lc: So, apparently 39 is being played in the awful 4@H at the other table, which means Nickell is about to take the lead.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  39 was a big pickup for Nickell after they went down 2 in 4 hearts|pg||
nt|lc: Yes, responder to 1@C (the 18-count) showed @H (in effect) and North "raised" to 3@H -- nobody ever got off the heart train into notrump.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  wonder why Weinstein didn'[t continue clubs with 4 trump|pg||
nt|lc: Still, we can't expectg 3NT would have made -- especailly without a helpful @H lead.|pg||
nt|lc: I think he saw that it wouldn't help, since the @CJ would set up and be a stopper.|pg||
nt|lc: One of the hardest things to do in bridge, is to refocus after the awful taste -600 on the previous board.|pg||
nt|lc: Levin-Weinstein have to get that out of their head and focus on the final 25 boards of this match or they can get run over.  |pg||
nt|lc: anyone can concentrate/focus when things go well.  When they go poorly, it is a test of mental stamina and discipline.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  good time to get up from the table to get a glass of water|pg||
nt|lc: Many a player succombs to this phenomenom -- which is why Meckwell so often steamroll opponents.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  works for me :)|pg||
nt|lc: In a long match, they invartiably get a roll of a few thin +600's and +620's -- and often the world caves in after that for the opponents.|pg||
nt|lc: So, it is a good sign to see Levin digging in hard here against 3@S -- I'd expect nothing less.|pg||
pc|h5|pc|h3|pc|hK|pc|h9|pg||
nt|casenjo:  that's why they call a timeout in football or basketball, when the other team is on a roll|pg||
pc|cK|pc|s8|pc|c7|pc|c5|pg||
nt|lc: Neither defender knows for sure the nature of declarer's 3@S bid -- or that the @D are running.|pg||
pc|d3|pc|d6|pc|dA|pc|d2|pg||
nt|bigtrain: it's been my experience that you steel yourself before the match to have a couple of gigglers against the boys and that helps when they actually come up|pg||
mc|9|nt|lc: Yup -- good idea Walter.|pg||
nt|lc: This is quite a line-up for a quarterfinal  2 vs.  7 match.|pg||
nt|lc: Smoking break?|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfc: short break|pg||
nt|casenjo:  looks like they took my advice for a water break|pg||
nt|lc: Water?   Smokey water, I think.  :)|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfc: they had planned a brief break after 8 bds|pg||
nt|lc: 3 smokers -- all probably desparate by now.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  only for Meckstroth|pg||
nt|lc: Rodwell is the only one who might be going for water.|pg||
nt|lc: During these breaks, I used to always have a pep talk with my partner.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  good idea|pg||
nt|bigtrain: does anyone have the site address for the streaming video?|pg||
nt|lc: David would be so mopey about that -600 in 3NT -- I would have to play psychologist and calm him down.|pg||
nt|lc: I would tell him: "Hey -- it's just 1 board. Forget it!  We have 24 more deals.  Let's dig in!"|pg||
nt|casenjo:  mopey is polite ;)|pg||
nt|lc: Although, inside, I would be seething about the -600 :)|pg||
nt|bigtrain: here it is - http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bridgeunion|pg||
nt|lc: It's so important to be a good and upbeat partner -- gets much more out of him then if you get down on yourselves.|pg||
nt|lc: They should show a Marlboro ad on that site about now -- would be what the boys are doing, anyway.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  audience wanted to know if the players know the board results good question|pg||
nt|casenjo:  no, they compare at the end of each quarter|pg||
nt|lc: While we wait -- audience always asks me why I can't be "contacted" during VuGraph .|pg||
nt|bigtrain: and here is the site for score updates - http://www.bridgewinners.com/round-of-8|pg||
nt|lc: Answer: My screen would fill up with pages to sort through/answer -- I can't handle it.  Sorry.|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfc: we are back|pg||
nt|casenjo:  another audience questions was why aren't the other teams on vugraph|pg||
nt|jillan:  It's OK Larry we do it for you LOL|pg||
nt|casenjo:  these were the two closest matches|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfc: limited operators is the primary reason (also computers)|pg||
nt|bigtrain: i was wondering why i get more messages when you're commmentating with me...  now i know  :)|pg||
pg||
qx|c40|st||md|2SQ97HQT43DA9CJT54,S6543HK86DK52CKQ3,SKJT82H92DQJT73CA,SAHAJ75D864C98762|sv|o|nt|Vugraphzfd: zia: I should have doubled|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil: ok I'm going back to passing|pg||
mb|p|mb|1S|mb|p|mb|2S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|d|mb|r|mb|2N|nt|athene: some might just pass with west but that can lead to some disasters if partner is not sure whether it's a penalty pass or not|pg||
nt|athene: after the redouble|pg||
mb|3S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|c9|nt|jbgood: 3 @s -- tu|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: zia: 9 is either shortness or 98|pg||
pc|c4|pc|c3|pc|cA|pg||
pc|d3|pc|d4|pc|d9|pc|dK|pg||
pc|s3|pc|s2|pc|sA|pc|s7|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: may regret blocking the diamonds|pg||
nt|athene: i would have thought zia would want to be forcing north|pg||
nt|chorush: No, he will throw the diamond ace as he draws trumps|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: ah! good play|pg||
nt|athene: the traditional defence to a 2-suiter is to try to force|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: too busy reporting to analyze :(|pg||
pc|c8|pc|cJ|pc|cQ|nt|chorush: the traditional defense occurs though when you know there is a 2 suiter|pg||
pc|s8|pg||
nt|jbgood: no problem now - claim |pg||
pc|sT|pc|h7|pc|s9|pc|s6|pg||
nt|athene: well zia can work out that declarer has spades and diamonds, if hamman has a normal t/o x shape?|pg||
pc|sK|pc|c2|pc|sQ|pc|s5|pg||
pc|sJ|pc|c6|pc|dA|pc|s4|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: zia: mmm, sexy!|pg||
mc|9|nt|chorush: Had Zia led the club K they would have beaten this. Declarer would likely discard a heart, but Zia could then play heart K and another heart|pg||
pg||
qx|o41|st||md|3SJHAQJ87D873CAK92,SAQ843H5DAJ4CJT53,S97652HK9643DKQC4,SKTHT2DT9652CQ876|sv|e|mb|p|mb|p|mb|1H|mb|1S|nt|lc: Sure, have 8 Vugraph operators, 8 computers, have Jan, jacki and others work like crazy -- all for no pay.  Good idea to have all 8 tables up!|pg||
nt|jillan:  here we go again|pg||
mb|4H|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|lc: 4@H is MY FAVORITE bid in the big @C system.  Can be on "anything.!"|pg||
nt|lc: You must love it, too, Walter -- right?|pg||
nt|jillan:  same bidding at both tables|pg||
nt|lc: It can be weak. It can be a 13-count.  Leaves everyone guessing.|pg||
nt|bigtrain: i'd answer you larry but i'm too busy answering your fans inquiries|pg||
pc|c5|nt|lc: Touche!  :)|pg||
pc|c4|pc|cQ|pc|cA|pg||
pc|c2|pc|c3|pc|h3|pc|c6|pg||
pc|dQ|pc|dT|pc|d7|pc|dA|pg||
nt|lc: Playing "Standard" I'd be a little worried to bid 4@H with North's hand -- for fear I am too strong.|pg||
nt|lc: Could easily have a slam, opposite, say:  @Sx   @HAQxxx  @DAxxx  @CAxx.|pg||
pc|sA|pc|s2|pc|sT|pc|sJ|pg||
nt|lc: And that's a hand where you'd miss slam even in a strong @C system!|pg||
pc|s3|pc|s5|pc|sK|pc|h7|pg||
pc|hQ|pc|h5|pc|h4|pc|h2|pg||
nt|lc: But still, I'd routinely bid 4@H opposite a limited opener -- and not worry much about it.|pg||
mc|11|pg||
qx|c41|st||md|3SJHAQJ87D873CAK92,SAQ843H5DAJ4CJT53,S97652HK9643DKQC4,SKTHT2DT9652CQ876|sv|e|mb|p|mb|p|mb|1H|mb|1S|nt|athene: 4@H now from north?|pg||
mb|4H|mb|p|nt|jbgood: unintersting heart game here.. |pg||
nt|athene: it's quite likely opps have a big fit in a minor, so you want to get in there|pg||
nt|athene: just because you have spades is no reason to bid less|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: hamman passed quickly after the jump raise and fleisher held the tray for a moment|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|pc|c3|pc|c4|pc|cQ|pc|cA|pg||
pc|hA|pc|h5|pc|h3|pc|h2|pg||
mc|11|nt|chorush: When playing with screen the player on the right controls the tray and can pause for a moment before passing it under the screen if he doesn't want the other side to be aware of ...|pg||
nt|chorush: the fast tempo|pg||
pg||
qx|o42|st||md|4SAJHKQJ73D543CJT5,SQ63H98DKT97CAQ87,S98HAT64DAJ82C642,SKT7542H52DQ6CK93|sv|b|mb|p|mb|1H|nt|jillan:  especially with 5@s....|pg||
mb|p|mb|2N|nt|lc: What percent of players in the Round of 8 would open 2@S with East?|pg||
mb|p|nt|lc: I am not one of them, but I'd guess about half.|pg||
nt|bigtrain: 2NT is limit raise or better|pg||
mb|3D|nt|bigtrain: with a 4+fit|pg||
nt|lc: They are already way too high :)|pg||
nt|bigtrain: 3@D is an artificial game try|pg||
nt|lc: Based on what? :)|pg||
nt|lc: His good looks?|pg||
nt|bigtrain: his boyish charm?|pg||
mb|p|nt|lc: Is 3 Jacks good in bridge?|pg||
mb|3H|nt|lc: They can make 1@H -- and are trying for 4@H.|pg||
nt|lc: Duplication of values and all 4 jacks turn out to be wasted.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  people have been asking me ab out the seeding|pg||
nt|bigtrain: meck does have a minimum LR|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|lc: I can comment on the seeding as we watch 3@H go down 1 or 2.|pg||
pc|h8|nt|casenjo:  if you look at the bracket sheet, the number in () is the original seed number|pg||
nt|lc: Everyone has "seeding Points" -- earned on merit over the years.|pg||
nt|lc: Foreigners are sometimes awarded points if they haven't been playing much in U.S.|pg||
pc|h4|nt|lc: Most you can have is 50 (all 4 players at this table have 50).|pg||
nt|casenjo:  the defenders are the '1' seed|pg||
pc|h5|pc|hJ|pg||
nt|lc: Each team is averaged and seeded according to their number of seeding points.|pg||
nt|lc: 3-4  and  5-8  and 9-12, etc. get shuffled.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  seeding point awards here: http://www.acbl.org/assets/documents/play/Conditions-of-Contest/Appendix-B.pdf|pg||
pc|hK|pc|h9|pc|h6|pc|h2|pg||
pc|d4|pc|d9|pc|dJ|pc|dQ|pg||
nt|casenjo:  another question: can anyone play in the Vanderbilt?|pg||
nt|lc: I'm told the method of seeding foreigners is still evolving -- but obviously you have to give seeding points if the top player in Country X enteres the Spingold.|pg||
pc|sT|nt|casenjo:  the only requirement is to be a life master|pg||
nt|lc: I think you need 100 masterpoints to enter.|pg||
pc|sJ|nt|lc: Anyway, one thing about seeding points is they decay. You lose 10% a year.  Mine are eroding as I sit here typing  :(|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|s8|pg||
nt|jillan:  mine to....|pg||
nt|casenjo:  Master Mixed team requirement is 100 ponts|pg||
nt|casenjo:  I think the big teams is different, but could be wrong|pg||
nt|lc: Usually you get a few very inexperienced teams who enter just for the thrill - with no real chance --  but they get to maybe play 64 boards against world-class players. Not bad.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  I have been told that the Vanderbilt is an 'open KO' and anyone can play, but the Spingold is a 'Life Master KO'|pg||
pc|dK|nt|lc: In what other "sport" or game can amateurs sit down to compete against the world's best?|pg||
pc|dA|pc|d6|pc|d3|pg||
pc|s9|pc|sK|pc|sA|pc|s3|pg||
nt|casenjo:  NONE!|pg||
pc|d5|pc|dT|pc|d2|pc|s5|pg||
nt|casenjo:  Again, I am being corrrected: POKER and FENCING|pg||
nt|lc: Fencing?|pg||
nt|jillan:  fencing?|pg||
nt|poohbear: fencing?|pg||
nt|casenjo:  so I'm told, but I've certainly never participated|pg||
nt|lc: Although, I have to say, I wouldn't want to compete against the world's best, in say, boxing!  :(|pg||
nt|jillan:  Poker I guess|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfc: Weinstein wondering where is the "game try" -- but he didn't open 1NT (is that 14-16)/|pg||
nt|jillan:  croquet a kibbitzer says|pg||
nt|poohbear: and curling|pg||
nt|lc: Anyway, i assume 3@H will be 2 down for 1 IMP to Fleisher.|pg||
nt|lc: Many people I know whine and complain when they have to play against the best.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  Now, CHESS and CURLING have been added to the list|pg||
nt|poohbear: not clear . If weinstein thinks the @c k with declarer then he will exit a @d|pg||
nt|jillan:  equestrian|pg||
nt|lc: No fair -- you've been watching the play?|pg||
nt|lc: When I started duplicate bridge (1970's) there were no FLights, no Junior games, etc.  I got to play the best all the time (in NY area).|pg||
nt|jillan:  hahaha, one kibbitzer said  although "sit down" is questionable for most of these|pg||
nt|lc: I think that was a big PLUS.|pg||
pc|cA|pc|c2|pc|c3|pc|c5|pg||
pc|c7|pc|c4|pc|cK|mc|7|pg||
qx|c42|st||md|4SAJHKQJ73D543CJT5,SQ63H98DKT97CAQ87,S98HAT64DAJ82C642,SKT7542H52DQ6CK93|sv|b|mb|2S|mb|p|mb|2N|nt|jbgood: S in trouble - not good enough for 3 @h .|pg||
mb|p|mb|3C|nt|Vugraphzfd: had to shoo another wouldbe kibitzer|pg||
mb|p|mb|3S|mb|p|nt|jbgood: but would still have like to make a bid|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: at Las Vegas Spingold, they had the vugraph tables roped off so people wouldn't wander in|pg||
nt|chorush: Zia is out semi stealing but the fact is that the contract belongs to his side for 3 spades|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher asks about 3C.  zia through the screen: he's either got the best or the worst and most likely the worst|pg||
pc|hK|pc|h8|nt|Vugraphzfd: lets christal turn dummy and walks across to watch cheek|pg||
pc|h4|pc|h5|pg||
nt|lesniak: w reku masz aw10|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: hamman puts his glasses back on to find a card in his hand, takes them off again to study dummy|pg||
nt|jbgood: spades split well - so 140|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher having a soft drink while kamil shifts in his chair|pg||
nt|chorush: Kamil thinking about shift but club spots are quite discouraging|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: hamman browses the fleisher-kamil convention card|pg||
nt|chorush: so are the diamond spots|pg||
pc|d4|nt|lesniak: wist spod D982?|pg||
pc|dT|pc|dJ|pc|dQ|pg||
pc|s4|pc|sA|pc|s3|pc|s9|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: detached @CJ|pg||
pc|hQ|pc|h9|pc|h6|pc|h2|pg||
pc|cJ|pc|cQ|pc|c2|pc|c3|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|s8|pc|s2|pc|sJ|pg||
mc|10|nt|jbgood: that was what was needed for 10|pg||
pg||
qx|o43|st||md|1SQ752HQJ95D84C632,SAT83HAT83DQT6CA7,SKJ6H7DAK9752CQT5,S94HK642DJ3CKJ984|sv|o|mb|p|mb|1N|mb|d|nt|lc: I 100% agree with treating West's hand as 15-17.|pg||
nt|lc: Those A-10 combinations (and the Q-10) are huge.|pg||
mb|2C|nt|lc: This is worth so much more than some junky/jacky/queeny 15-count.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  I have quite a few people mention equestrian events, however, the major event you must qualify to enter|pg||
nt|lc: On the other hand, it might properl them into 4@H down :)|pg||
mb|p|mb|2H|mb|p|mb|3H|nt|poohbear: kidzero: Dbl is either 4 of a major and longer minor or 1 suited Ds|pg||
nt|bigtrain: X is one minor, both majors or some good hand|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|lc: And, of course, like most experts, L-W play "System On" over artif. X's.|pg||
pc|dA|pc|d3|pc|d8|pc|d6|pg||
nt|lc: Start of @D @D @D will actually help declarer (throwing a @S while South ruffs).|pg||
nt|warrens:  agreed Larry, but a @S shift is tough to find|pg||
nt|lc: I'll say.|pg||
pc|s6|pc|s4|pc|sQ|pc|sA|pg||
nt|lc: However, Meck will suspect that the @D ruff is with a likely natural trump trick, so he isn't exactly dying to continue-- and might be considering a @S.|pg||
nt|lc: This looks like a headache to play.|pg||
nt|lc: If you like 3-of-a-major contracts, you've chosen the right session to watch.|pg||
pc|h3|pc|h7|pc|hK|pc|h5|pg||
pc|h2|pc|hQ|nt|lc: Will Rodwell split?|pg||
pc|hA|pc|d2|pg||
nt|lc: I don't know if Weinstein was going to put in the 10 -- we'll never know now.|pg||
nt|lc: WE see the 3-3 @C onside.  Will declarer see that as his only chance at this point?|pg||
nt|lc: It would seem, from declarer's point of view that he needs the clubs -- am I missing something?  Anything else looks like defense will get a @S, a @D and 2@H for down 1.|pg||
pc|cA|pc|c5|pc|c4|pc|c2|pg||
pc|c7|pc|cT|pc|cJ|nt|lc: So, I expect him to finesse|pg||
pc|c3|pg||
pc|cK|pc|c6|nt|lc: His only chance.|pg||
pc|dT|pc|cQ|pg||
pc|c9|nt|warrens:  needs to pitch one diamond so S can't overruff dummy|pg||
nt|warrens:  well done|pg||
mc|9|pg||
qx|c43|st||md|1SQ752HQJ95D84C632,SAT83HAT83DQT6CA7,SKJ6H7DAK9752CQT5,S94HK642DJ3CKJ984|sv|o|nt|Vugraphzfd: zia grabs the board: "always making 4?"|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: looks at hamman's hands then moves on to  43|pg||
mb|p|mb|1N|nt|chorush: Zia's upgrade is going to get them to a non making game is my guess|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: zia asking kamil about the board while fleisher decides how/whether to come in|pg||
nt|jbgood: depends on N's action|pg||
mb|d!|mb|2C|nt|chorush: If they got to 3NT they would be pleasantly surprised by the result but 4H is their destiny, I think|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil points at 2@C - zia points at X and asks: "what is that? it's not penalty then system on"|pg||
nt|chorush: 2C here is Stayman I think|pg||
mb|p|mb|2H|mb|3D|mb|3H|nt|Vugraphzfd: yes, hamman wrote STAYMAN on his pad|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: but if X was penalty they may play some kind of runouts|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|chorush: Hamman is giving Zia room. I admit I would bid 4|pg||
pc|dK|nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher: 15-17, bob? hamman: yeah, 14 possible|pg||
pc|d3|pc|d8|pc|d6|pg||
pc|dA|pc|dJ|pc|d4|pc|dQ|pg||
pc|d9|pc|s4|pc|h5|pc|dT|pg||
pc|s5|pc|sA|pc|s6|pc|s9|pg||
pc|h3|pc|h7|pc|hK|pc|h9|pg||
pc|h2|pc|hJ|pc|hA|pc|d2|pg||
pc|cA|pc|c5|pc|c4|pc|c2|pg||
pc|c7|pc|cT|pc|cK|pc|c3|pg||
pc|c8|pc|c6|nt|chorush: on a good day 4 would make, but this isnt such a good day|pg||
mc|9|pg||
qx|o44|st||md|2SQJT3HJ754DA63C98,S4HKQ32DQJ9CAQT73,SK8762HADKT82CJ65,SA95HT986D754CK42|sv|n|mb|1C|nt|lc: Awkward West hand to rebid if you open 1@C and partner responds 1@S.|pg||
mb|1S|mb|d|nt|lc: Easier when opps bid @S  :)|pg||
mb|3H|an|mixed raise|nt|lc: Now some sort of 3-level bid -- a Mixed Raise?|pg||
nt|bigtrain: 3@H is a "mixed" raise|pg||
nt|lc: These days, with 9 trumps, most pairs know to get it to the 3-level ASAP and make it tough on the opps.|pg||
mb|4H|nt|warrens:  does X by W now show @H's? or just cards?|pg||
nt|lc: The thinking is you have 3-level saftey with 9 trumps, so just do it.|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|lc: Double now -- probably cards, I;d think.|pg||
pc|s2|nt|lc: Weinstein didn't want to bid 4@H -- but there was no room.|pg||
pc|sA|nt|lc: So, it looks as if the bad trump split will doom this -- Rodwell just has to tap declarer in @S to get a 2nd heart trick and the @DAK.|pg||
nt|lc: Similar to Board 38.|pg||
nt|bigtrain: a mixed raise is 4+card fit for the major and about 8-9 dummy points|pg||
nt|lc: With less, he'd have bid 3@S.|pg||
nt|bigtrain: basically a 4-fit single raise|pg||
pc|s3|pc|s4|pg||
nt|lc: Some people describe MIXED as: "more than a preempt, less than limit."|pg||
nt|lc: It is a nice tool -- but I find most of my students forget it (forget to use it, and forget when partner uses it).|pg||
nt|lc: I know a spec who is watching (i won't name him) who always forgets it.  :) :)|pg||
nt|lc: In case anyone thinks they can remember it, the Mixed Raise is used when: Partner overcalls, and you jump-cue bid the opponents suit on the 3-level.|pg||
pc|h6|pc|h4|pc|hK|pc|hA|pg||
pc|s6|pc|s5|pc|sT|pc|h3|pg||
nt|lc: I think 3@S was a make N-S, so WEinstein's decision to bid 4@H is no big deal. Instead of -140 he is likely to pay -100.|pg||
nt|casenjo:  they were in 4 spades down 1 at the other table|pg||
nt|lc: By putting your Cursor over "Closed Room" you see a similar auction, but North bid 4@S over 4@H.|pg||
nt|bigtrain: meckwell doesn't play bergen raises as most know them...  3@C and 3@D would have different meanings here|pg||
nt|lc: There is a motto to always bid "4@S over 4@H" -- but Meck suspected it would be -500, so probably wasn't tempted (event though it would have been down only 1)>|pg||
pc|c7|pc|c6|pc|cK|pc|c8|pg||
pc|h8|pc|h5|nt|lc: Well, 3@H was still sort of a jump-cue -- since East implied @H.  But you are saying it is always 3@H over @S?|pg||
nt|casenjo:  Weinstein will get the bad news in a minute|pg||
nt|bigtrain: yes|pg||
nt|bigtrain: 1 under|pg||
nt|bigtrain: in comp|pg||
pc|hQ|pc|s7|pg||
nt|lc: Well, the good news is the @H finesse will win. :)  And that would mean 3@S was making.|pg||
pc|cA|pc|c5|pc|c2|pc|c9|pg||
pc|cQ|pc|cJ|pc|c4|pc|h7|pg||
nt|lc: This news, though, means down a lot.  Nice to be not vul.|pg||
pc|hJ|pc|h2|nt|casenjo:  down2|pg||
pc|d8|pc|h9|pg||
pc|sJ|nt|casenjo:  or 3|pg||
pc|c3|pc|s8|pc|s9|pg||
pc|d3|pc|dQ|pc|dK|pc|d4|pg||
nt|casenjo:  one more trick for weinstein|pg||
mc|7|pg||
qx|c44|st||md|2SQJT3HJ754DA63C98,S4HKQ32DQJ9CAQT73,SK8762HADKT82CJ65,SA95HT986D754CK42|sv|n|nt|Vugraphzfd: zia: make 3NT, 5@C 2@H @S and a @D|pg||
nt|jbgood: nonvul perhaps 3 is good Ira|pg||
mb|1C|nt|Vugraphzfd: tray started on the wrong side, kibitzer willenken gestures to push it back|pg||
mb|1S|mb|d|mb|3C!|mb|4H|nt|chorush: Well, Jon, I would bid 3 would 4 clubs in a 4-4-3-2 and this hand is a trick better. but that's just me|pg||
nt|athene: 4@H is quite aggressive|pg||
nt|chorush: Certainly perfectly reasonable to bid 3|pg||
nt|athene: 3@C forces to 3@S so zia knows 3@H isn't ending the auction|pg||
nt|athene: he wants to actually give NS a problem|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: pulls pass, reconsiders|pg||
nt|jbgood: 4@h : bidding my cards. very often right|pg||
nt|bridge_one: 3@H correct with balanced weak hand - with 5431 need to bid more that 3 after dbl at 1 @S of p|pg||
nt|athene: people sometimes bid 4@H in these situations hoping to induce a 4@S sac which might be a costly phantom|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: did his thing of pointing around the tray, waved his hand as if giving up, pulled pass, then put it back|pg||
mb|4S|nt|athene: but at this vulnerability you don't expect north to bid 4@S without some chances of making|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|hT|pc|h4|nt|athene: 4@H would have been difficult with the bad break and a force on west's trumps|pg||
pc|h3|pc|hA|pg||
pc|s2|pc|s5|pc|sQ|pc|s4|pg||
pc|sJ|pc|c3|pc|s6|pc|sA|pg||
nt|athene: 4@S is just a boring one down|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: obvious to us but not to the players.  hamman still working it out|pg||
nt|athene: hamman might be working out if a heart continuation might help declarer into a dummy reversal for instance|pg||
nt|athene: but dummy is just way too short of entries for that|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: kamil bolding some of the minus scores on his scorecard|pg||
pc|h8|pc|h5|pc|h2|pc|s7|pg||
pc|c5|pc|c2|pc|c8|pc|cT|pg||
pc|c7|pc|c6|pc|cK|pc|c9|pg||
nt|athene: hamman knows now that if the diamonds are solid, the contract can't be beaten, and if they aren't, it can't ever make|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: players look a little weary.  20 boards and two more days to go|pg||
nt|athene: if zia has just the @DQ declarer will surely find it|pg||
nt|athene: so i don't think there is any way the defence are going to be able to influence events|pg||
nt|athene: hamman might be thinking about two down|pg||
pc|c4|nt|chorush: if Bob returns another Heart Zia is in a 3 suit squeeze|pg||
pc|s3|pc|cQ|pc|cJ|pg||
nt|athene: it wouldn't help; zia could happily just throw everything except his diamond stopper|pg||
nt|chorush: Bob didnt want to do that to Zia|pg||
nt|athene: declarer has to lose a diamond, twist and turn as he may|pg||
pc|d3|pc|dQ|pc|dK|pc|d4|pg||
pc|s8|pc|s9|pc|sT|mc|9|pg||
qx|o45|st||md|3ST742HT8DJ953CK42,SAJ9653H53DQTCT96,SKHAK964DK64C8753,SQ8HQJ72DA872CAQJ|sv|b|nt|lc: I have to leave -- but I hope everyone enjoys the final 20 boards of this tight Qauality match!|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfc: thanks very much Larry |pg||
nt|casenjo:  Thanks Larry!!|pg||
nt|lc: thanks all -- arrangers, fellow commentators, audience -- bye.|pg||
nt|warrens:  thanks Larry.  |pg||
nt|bigtrain: thx larry|pg||
nt|lc: and vugraph,m of course!|pg||
mb|1H|mb|1N|nt|lc: And bbo.|pg||
nt|lc: bye|pg||
mb|p|mb|4H|mb|p|mb|4S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|casenjo:  It appears system was forgotten in the other room to get to 5 diamonds down 4|pg||
pc|hT|nt|Vugraphzfc: an accident in the other room|pg||
nt|bigtrain: seems hammand and zia had a slight misunderstanding on this board|pg||
pc|h3|pc|hA|pc|h2|pg||
pc|c5|pc|cQ|nt|warrens:  well, I don't think 4@S will do well, but not -400|pg||
pc|cK|pc|c6|pg||
pc|h8|pc|h5|pc|hK|pc|h7|pg||
pc|c7|pc|cA|pc|c2|pc|c9|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|s2|pc|s3|pc|sK|pg||
pc|c8|pc|cJ|pc|c4|pc|cT|pg||
pc|s8|pc|s4|mc|8|pg||
qx|c45|st||md|3ST742HT8DJ953CK42,SAJ9653H53DQTCT96,SKHAK964DK64C8753,SQ8HQJ72DA872CAQJ|sv|b|mb|1H|mb|1N|mb|p|nt|athene: 3nt might work out here|pg||
mb|3S!|mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfd: can't read zia's explanation|pg||
nt|athene: most people play system on after a 1nt overcall, don't they? obviously not here|pg||
mb|4D|mb|p|mb|4S|mb|p|nt|chorush: Looks like a misunderstanding|pg||
nt|athene: if declarer finds the @CK before he has to attack trumps he might drop the @SK, but that doesn't really help unless he can get a trump coup going|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: Hamman crosses his arms and looks askew at the tray|pg||
mb|5D|nt|Vugraphzfd: something seems to have gone awry|pg||
nt|chorush: definite misunderstanding|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|nt|athene: hamman perhaps thinks it was system on in which case 3@S might be both minors with short spades|pg||
mb|p|nt|athene: that's a common response to 1nt - 3major = minor 2-suiter|pg||
nt|chorush: In the normal course of events 3S would probably have been a singleton with 5-4-3-1 pattern|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher asking.  zia: he probably forgot that's a natural bid. all 3bids after NT overcall are natural|pg||
pc|hT|pc|h3|pc|hK|pc|h2|pg||
pc|c8|nt|athene: it seems to be a bit masochistic to play a *slightly* different system after a 1nt overcall|pg||
pc|cQ|pc|cK|pc|c6|pg||
nt|athene: just asking for memory lapses|pg||
pc|h8|pc|h5|pc|hA|pc|h7|pg||
nt|chorush: sure found one here|pg||
pc|c3|pc|cA|pc|c4|pc|c9|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|s4|pc|sA|pc|sK|pg||
pc|cT|pc|c5|pc|cJ|pc|c2|pg||
nt|athene: well it's lucky perhaps for EW in a sense, in that the other room probably won't be making a game|pg||
pc|s8|pc|s7|pc|s9|pc|d4|pg||
nt|athene: but still they are going to lose some imps|pg||
nt|chorush: Other side seems likely to be down 1 in 3 spades|pg||
pc|d6|pc|d2|pc|d3|pc|dT|pg||
pc|dQ|pc|dK|pc|dA|pc|d5|pg||
pc|hQ|pc|d9|pc|s3|pc|h4|pg||
pc|s2|pc|s5|mc|7|pg||
qx|o46|st||md|4SA2HK43D74CAT9852,SQJT8HAJ987DAQ9C3,S964HQT65D865CQ74,SK753H2DKJT32CKJ6|sv|o|mb|1D|mb|2C|mb|2H|mb|p|mb|2S|mb|p|mb|4C|mb|d|mb|4S|nt|warrens:  a splinter from W and E will slam on the brakes|pg||
mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|casenjo:  Levin is not impressed with 2 hearts or the splinter and will sign off|pg||
pc|cA|nt|casenjo:  He will be pleased to see the AQ of diamonds|pg||
pc|c3|pc|c4|pc|c6|pg||
pc|h3|pc|hA|pc|h5|pc|h2|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|s6|pc|s3|pc|sA|pg||
pc|s2|pc|sJ|pc|s4|mc|11|nt|Vugraphzfc: 2 more and a short break|pg||
pg||
qx|c46|st||md|4SA2HK43D74CAT9852,SQJT8HAJ987DAQ9C3,S964HQT65D865CQ74,SK753H2DKJT32CKJ6|sv|o|nt|Vugraphzfd: zia again examines hamman's hand then taps the tray and says: "next one"|pg||
nt|athene: weinstein tried exactly the same thing in the other room on the spades vs hearts hand|pg||
nt|athene: on board 44|pg||
nt|athene: but north didn't bite|pg||
nt|athene: and bid the "easy" 4@S over 4@H|pg||
mb|1D|nt|athene: and indeed 4@H fell apart with the 4-1 break|pg||
mb|2C|mb|2H|mb|p|mb|2S|mb|p|mb|4C|nt|chorush: quick rejection here|pg||
mb|p|mb|4S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|athene: hard to see how hamman could have a worse hand, on the bidding, true :)|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: indeed the rejection was so quick fleisher held the tray|pg||
nt|chorush: and a quick 450|pg||
nt|athene: hard lead problem for south|pg||
nt|athene: even though opps had a sniff at slam you still have to try to beat the contract, in theory, at imps|pg||
pc|h4|nt|Vugraphzfd: loud discussion from the next table. zia: the italians are losing|pg||
nt|chorush: Hamman may still be lamenting the fact that he can't open this hand with 1 spade|pg||
pc|hA|pc|h6|pc|h2|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: zia strolls out unescorte|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|s6|pc|s3|pc|sA|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: connection shaky here|pg||
nt|chorush: Hamman=Zia got very lucky on the board where they had a misunderstanding. They lost only 5 imps since 4 spades went set 2|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: four tables in this room.  corresponding four tables down the hall|pg||
pc|cA|pc|c3|pc|c4|pc|c6|pg||
pc|hK|pc|h7|pc|h5|mc|11|nt|Vugraphzfd: could not follow the rest of the play because of the lag but there wsa nothing to it|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: fleisher's turn to run to the men's room|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: christal reviewing folder of what look like system notes|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: zia, kamil discuss whether 3S would make on the 5D hand|pg||
pg||
qx|o47|st||md|1S86HJ43DKJT85CQT9,SAKQJT5HQ75DA9CJ6,S97HTDQ6432CAK872,S432HAK9862D7C543|sv|n|mb|p|nt|casenjo:  and much thanks to our wonderful vugraph operator ;)|pg||
mb|1S|mb|p|mb|2S|mb|p|mb|4S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|jillan:  nd I am sorry but HAVE to go to bed.. it is 3 am here. Need my beauty sleep BADLY|pg||
nt|casenjo:  the last quarter will be 16 boards and start after a short break|pg||
nt|warrens:  thanks Jill|pg||
nt|casenjo:  and I have to go to bed after these two, since I get up at 7am for bridge lessons|pg||
pc|cA|pc|c3|pc|c9|pc|c6|pg||
pc|cK|pc|c4|pc|cT|nt|casenjo:  but I am sure the 4th quarter will be just as exciting!!!|pg||
pc|cJ|pg||
mc|11|pg||
qx|c47|st||md|1S86HJ43DKJT85CQT9,SAKQJT5HQ75DA9CJ6,S97HTDQ6432CAK872,S432HAK9862D7C543|sv|n|mb|p|mb|1S|mb|p|mb|1N|nt|athene: hamman thinks the hand is too good for 2@S?|pg||
mb|p|mb|3N|nt|chorush: He might. We will never find out|pg||
mb|p|nt|chorush: Im sure he will bid 4 spades here|pg||
nt|athene: maybe he was worried his partner might pass a 2@S raise with a minimum hand but heart fit and they could miss 4M|pg||
nt|athene: but surely 2@S is the normal action|pg||
nt|chorush: Think he is worried that there could be a slam as indeed there would if pard had the club ace instead of diamond ace|pg||
mb|4S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|nt|Vugraphzfd: zia picked up his cards before the tray was pushed back|pg||
pc|cK|pc|c3|pc|cT|pc|cJ|pg||
pc|cA|pc|c4|pc|c9|pc|c6|pg||
mc|11|pg||
qx|o48|st||md|2SA32HJ763DQ76C864,SKT97654H2DAT5C92,SJ8HKQ94DK984CQ73,SQHAT85DJ32CAKJT5|sv|e|nt|warrens:  oh come on Jo Anne, no one takes bridge lessons that early!|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfc: thanks Jo Anne, Water, Warren and thanks specs for being here|pg||
mb|2S|mb|p|mb|4S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|hK|nt|casenjo:  Bigtrain, Walter Johnson, gave me my first bridge lessons, 1,000 years ago|pg||
nt|jillan:  I know it wil be, but if I should function at ALL tomorrow I have to go...|pg||
nt|warrens:  another friendly hand, with Jx of @S|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfc: and thanks, Jill (thought you had left)|pg||
nt|jillan:  >)(|pg||
nt|jillan:  getting sleepy|pg||
pc|hA|nt|jillan:  just have to end this poker game and I am off to bed...|pg||
pc|h3|pc|h2|pg||
nt|poohbear: Rodwell can make declarer guess by ducking the @s but not likely to get it wrong|pg||
pc|sQ|pc|s2|pc|s5|pc|s8|pg||
nt|casenjo:  : and here is the site for score updates - http://www.bridgewinners.com/round-of-8|pg||
nt|casenjo:  I was asked for this address again|pg||
pc|h5|pc|h6|pc|s6|pc|h4|pg||
pc|sK|pc|sJ|pc|h8|pc|sA|pg||
pc|d6|pc|d5|pc|dK|pc|d2|pg||
pc|d4|pc|d3|mc|11|nt|casenjo:  nite all and thanks|pg||
nt|casenjo:  stay for 4th quarter|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfc: thanks all|pg||
nt|bigtrain: i've gotten extremely lonely all of a sudden  :)|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfc: back in a few minutes -- thanks again|pg||
nt|jillan:  Thanks Joe|pg||
nt|bigtrain: live streaming site - http://www.ustream.tv/channel/bridgeunion|pg||
pg||
qx|c48|st||md|2SA32HJ763DQ76C864,SKT97654H2DAT5C92,SJ8HKQ94DK984CQ73,SQHAT85DJ32CAKJT5|sv|e|nt|athene: hearts a better slam than spades :)|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: zia says if hamman bids a suit over 3Nt it should be a cuebid for spades.  fleisher then asks kamil how they play it|pg||
mb|3S|mb|p|mb|4S|mb|p|mb|p|mb|p|pc|hK|pc|hA|pc|h7|pc|h2|pg||
pc|sQ|nt|Vugraphzfd: zia very fast again - not one to take time making plans - fleisher has to ask to see the spots again|pg||
nt|athene: south might duck this to give declarer a losing option - he could then try a low spade playing for Ax / Jxx|pg||
nt|athene: but he shouldn't do that because with Ax the defender should not duck the queen|pg||
nt|athene: it would just be a grosvenor|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: zia: you are thinking right? just wanted to make sure you knew I played|pg||
pc|sA|pc|s4|pc|s8|pg||
pc|d6|pc|d5|pc|dK|pc|d2|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: 3 called but 2 played|pg||
nt|athene: if anyone is not sure about "grosvenor" - the basic idea is, you should not play for a defender to have done something "wrong"|pg||
nt|athene: so|pg||
nt|athene: let's say south did duck the @SQ|pg||
nt|Vugraphzfd: zia: "I thought you were showing out!" when kamil took @SA|pg||
nt|athene: you should still continue with the king from hand, not a little one|pg||
nt|athene: because if the ace was doubleton, they could always have got 2 tricks legitimately anyway|pg||
nt|athene: so you never lose by it|pg||
pc|d4|pc|d3|nt|athene: what you want to avoid is losing 2 tricks where you "shouldn't" with best play all round|pg||
mc|11|nt|Vugraphzfd: everyone clusters around to check the score.  that's all for now, back in maybe 20 minutes|pg||
pg||
