[mike777]

Does it seem like there are many more experts on BBO?
Does it seem like there are many more experts who play and bid closer to beginner?

[Flame]

There are two ressons for that, first the higher your level his , you are more likely to access tables, and especially good tables. second most bridge players like most drivers see the action only from their point of view and always accuse the other person, the more time pass more players play eith other players and if they see that this "less skilled" is putting expert for his skill they will put expert for thier LEVEL

[mcphee]

The other day in a game at my table I saw an expert make a t/o dble of 1H holding Qxxx xx AQJxxx x. An unusual choice I think and not what most "experts" would choose I'm sure.

Bridge is an egotistical game. Many players are eagar to voice opinions, and share their views, warrented or not. It's my feeling you can tell who an expert is after 2 deals and make your own assesment. If it makes people feel good to claim expert status, who really cares. You can always find another player or opponent and suggest they find a different game. You only run the risk of offending them.

[inquiry]

mcphee, on Feb 11 2005, 10:50 AM, said:

The other day in a game at my table I saw an expert make a t/o dble of 1H holding Qxxx  xx  AQJxxx  x. An unusual choice I think and not what most "experts" would choose I'm sure.

I think this is not clear, Bob.

A polish expert, for instance, with this hand would probably over call 1NT (polish NT or raptor NT) showing a long minor and 4 spades. Other european experts playing equal level conversion might easily choose double with the idea that if partner bids clubs at any level they will bid 2♦ to show long diamonds and 4 spades without extra value (but if their minors were reversed, these "experts" would overcall 2♣ rather than double because if their partners bid clubs, they have to go the the next level (hence not equal level) to show their suit. A typical american expert would never dream of overcalling 1NT or doubling and then bidding diamonds on this hand... 1NT for them would be balanced strong, and to double and then bid diamonds would show a monster hand.

So a kibitzer moving from table to table might see a 1NT overcall on this hand and think (boy that guy is psyching), a double followed by diamond rebid and think (boy that guy just way overbid), and a 2D overcall and think, (finally, someone who knows how to bid)...and yet all three bids might be normal accepted practice by the partnership making the bid.

The point being, that to rate someone as expert based on how they treat one hand in an auction is probably not a good idea unless you know what their "style" unless they make some totally insane bid. But then I guess really, you already knew about equal level conversion and raptor, so I suspect this was an american making the double... :-)

Ben

PS.. btw way, I generally like raptor, but have been toying with 1NT overcall being specifically top/bottom two suits along with equal level conversion with hands like this... michaels with longer upper two suiters, and 2NT for minor two suits... playing this style, instead of 1NT raptor, with this hand I could "double" and then correct to diamonds at cheapest level if need be. This combination raptor, equal level thing is exploratory right now.

[Walddk]

inquiry, on Feb 11 2005, 10:20 AM, said:

Other european experts playing equal level conversion might easily choose double with the idea that if partner bids clubs at any level they will bid 2♦ to show long diamonds and 4 spades without extra value

You contradict yourself and violate the laws of bridge. Bid 2♦ at every level when partner bids clubs.

xxx xxx x AKQxxx

So now I have to guess whether partner really has a take-out double or an equal level conversion? So I must bid 2♣ with that hand just in case? Because I don't want to hear 3♦ if I jump to 3♣, do I?

Excuse me, but then bridge becomes too difficult. I fully agree with Bob. The hand is no take-out double by 10 miles. It's a simple 2♦ overcall (or 3♦ if you are so inclined). If you have a preference, bid your suit, if you do not have a preference, let partner decide and make a take-out double.

You have a clear preference with a hand like this.

Roland

[cherdano]

Walddk, on Feb 11 2005, 04:23 PM, said:

inquiry, on Feb 11 2005, 10:20 AM, said:

Other european experts playing equal level conversion might easily choose double with the idea that if partner bids clubs at any level they will bid 2♦ to show long diamonds and 4 spades without extra value

You contradict yourself and violate the laws of bridge. Bid 2♦ at every level when partner bids clubs.

xxx xxx x AKQxxx

So now I have to guess whether partner really has a take-out double or an equal level conversion? So I must bid 2♣ with that hand just in case? Because I don't want to hear 3♦ if I jump to 3♣, do I?

WTP? Ben bids 2♦ over your 3♣, and you are in a makeable contract.

[inquiry]

Well of course, I meant 3♦ over 3♣, 2♦ over 2♣. etc with equal level conversion.

Now the discussion might should be, what do you bid with AKQ=sixth opposite a take out double.... but we save that for another day.. .and you are hardly worse after (1H)-2D-(P) as you probably are not passing with that hand anyway....

Ben

[luke warm]

i still think, with the example hand, one should bid 2♦ rather than double... partner needs some way to know whether or not you hold 13 or 16, or even 19 hcp... i understand the 'equal level' stuff, but i don't quite agree with it

as for what mike said originally, yeah it's true... but there isn't much to do about that...

[Flame]

Not saying i know how to play equal level coversion, i dont have expirence with it, but it seems like a really bad idea to use double with this hand even if you play equal level coversion, i would save this double to a more equal 2 suiter like a 5-4 hand and not a good 6 bad 4 hand. Its not exactly right to compare equal level coversion and raptor, raptor show 2 suiter, equal level coversion doublt might be a 2 suiter, this must mean you should be more conservative with the suits when you double as an equal level coversion than when you bid 1nt raptor.
In general i think its usually a bad idea to show a 6-4 with a 2 suiter bid, and as i explained definationly not with something that only could be a 2 suiter.

[Crazy Dice]

i think there is exist defintion about who is expert and advanced plr
in 'rules' and 'help' section of BBO
i hope u all done reading that

[mila85]

inquiry, on Feb 11 2005, 10:20 AM, said:

So a kibitzer moving from table to table might see a 1NT overcall on this hand and think (boy that guy is psyching), a double followed by diamond rebid and think (boy that guy just way overbid), and a 2D overcall and think, (finally, someone who knows how to bid)...and yet all three bids might be normal accepted practice by the partnership making the bid.

2♥ cuebid is also possible in some partnerships...