I was caught speeding by the Grandparents

 Last night while subbing for a robot in Sligo I thought I would try out my trademark weak no points opening being favourable vulnerability. Its a bad habit I have that I cannot get rid of 

So I wheeled out my weak 2 bid with no points but the hand was such that I was doomed and robots don't like jokes. After my robot bid a forcing enquiry 2NT the ever vigilant Grandma Finola pounced with a double and the always holding good cards Granda Tom left it roll. 

Even if I managed to escape unscathed there was no hope for me as down 3 even undoubled in a partscore board was always down bottom. 

However I will always follow the lure of the favourable vulnerability as I have loads of successes. 

Unfortunately I handed the Grandparents another victory in Sligo but they might have won anyway given they are so good. 

I will get them the next time there is robots in Sligo 

Watch this space !!

I went minus 500 for 0% score ... Bah 

I think they would have still won ..playing in 2S+1 but I would have done better ..maybe in 2nd place.

but nobody remembers 2nd place

Mairead runs a good show most nights on BBO

The Sligo Congress  face to face is coming next June 2022.

Saga of Learning Bridge from scratch ..a different approach including my own experience

 Good afternoon folks 

Here is my first video on Learning Bridge from Scratch .. or Zero 

Some stories some demonstration some explanations 

Learn to play Bridge (needs a redo)

A link above to my first recording about how to start bridge. Unfortunately I  cut off parts of the screen

so will need to redo this video showing all the information 

Hmmm disaster ... and I uploaded to Youtube and did not even notice 

However the content is good 

Battle of the Egos on Youtube Nprecision versus Murphyslaw

 Good afternoon folks 

I made a few videos from a new saga where 2 bridgeplayers go into battle but are learning at the same time. 

Nprecision versus Murphyslaw 

Nprecision Murphy playlist

Last night while running some bridge games this hand came up

After a pass by East the South player opened 1H. All the bridge teachers in Ireland tout open your longest suit but loads of people doubt those teachers. This chap said "But Eamon I was playing 5 card majors" 

Big deal open 1 club and then rebid the hearts about twice thus showing 5+ hearts and a longer club suit. 

Furthermore in another club from this one 

Here it is noticeable that 4 tables of the 9 only reached the 2 level in bidding but I was suggesting that the South hand bid at least 3 times almost on its own. I personally will be bidding this hand to 3H on my own before partner contributes so 2 level contracts are below my radar with this South hand. 

At 3 tables out of 9 in an established bridge club the bidding went PASS PASS 

There is a saying in bridge about 55 come alive ...well 65 is even more so 

Hand Evaluation ,,,,

Method 1 ... High card points 10 plus 3 for the 5th and 6th cards in length = 13 thus an opening bid

Method 2 ... CBAI rule of 19 or 20 add high card points and 2 longest suits if 20 then open bidding so 10 high card points and 11 for the long suits means 21 CBAI points 

Method 3 Zarpoints .. 26 Zars for an opening bid 

Add a) high card points b) controls A=2 K=1 c) 2 longest suits d) longest minus shortest 

10+3+11+6 = 30 ...well above the 26 required to open 

So how did 3 pairs produce a pass as opener and how did 4 tables only reach a 2 level contract.