What goals should the director have?
1. Hey this is a business. It's called building a bridge club. Did you forget that? Happy people will bring more customers. Unhappy people may not ever return to your game. Saying, "thanks for coming", at the end of the game. Is not motivational to the people you pissed off earlier in the game. Yelling SHUT UP at the top of your lungs is very unpleasant to hear.
This is a recreation, a fun past time, (cheaper than the movies) a good time for the participants did you forget that?
Of course it's competitive but that’s not your problem. Your problem is to make every one move along at a nice pace while they are having fun.
Well, can you be forceful and overbearing rude and nasty & strict and fun at the same time. I think that is really asking a lot of yourself.
2. So let's get right to business. You have to make sure each and every player is having a good time. People do not like being in trouble, they will be receptive to any suggestions that you can make, to help them speed up.
I don't care if they are playing well, winning or losing or whatever. They should be having a good time.
3. Make them have a good time. Do you think for 1 minute the terminology "hurry up, hurry up", will cause people to feel welcome or feel better about themselves of course not.
Patients my friend, show empathy and caring.
Let's suggest ways for them to hurry up.
a. One of the nicest directors I know helped a slow pair. By having the pair that would be passing the boards to them have them already in suits. Geez, what a good idea and that saves time.
b. Teach them how to claim correctly.
c. Suggest they stay focused in a friendly way, on what they are doing instead of letting their mind wander.
as in Oh, I didn't realize I was my turn to bid or play a card etc.
Threaten death and dying will not speed them up. Standing behind them and trying to rush them will not speed them up. Pull them to the side and ask them to help you. People like to help other people.
Ask them to help you by playing a little faster. They don't like to be embarrassed, by being screamed at by the director.
Take a board away from them politely, that will help. Don't threaten to take a board away. Just take it away with a smile and things will be back in time again.
Compliment them on playing faster, let them know that you have their best interests, they will appreciate you for it.
All you wanna be directors out there. So you know the rules and the movements. Of course keeping the game running smoothly is important, but what about the people.
That does not make you a good director.
A good director is fun to be around, people will be happy that you are coming to their table. Regardless, of the ruling. You have to act like a nice person.
You are in the entertainment business, you are not the bridge warden. You are not the jailer. You are not a jailer. You are not the Sherriff. Am I making a point.
Greet everyone of your players like they are old friends and glad to see them again. Be genuine.
I would really like to see the directors look at their jobs from a different light.
Sincerely,
Barry DePristo
Monday, November 30, 2009
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Take out double and responders bids
Take out double and responders bids
Takeout Double
If your opponent opens with a suit bid, a double by you promises:
• At least opening-bid strength (12+ pts.)
• Shortness in the suit the opponent opened.
• Support for all unbid suits. Your double forces partner to bid, so you must have at least 3-card length in any suit he will choose. Typical hands for a takeout double of an opponent's 1C opening would be:
KJ76 AQ92 KJ4 65
Q104 AK84 K10432 8
The exception: There is one type of hand where you can double without support for all unbid suits. You can start with a double if you have a hand that has one long suit and great strength (17+ pts.) -- The type of hand where you don't want to risk having partner pass a simple overcall of your suit. Your hand and your suit should be strong enough that you could make game if partner has as little as 4-6 pts. and a fit -- a hand like
KJ AQJ1084 AK65 7. To describe this hand, start with a double that forces partner to respond. Then "overrule" partner's choice by freely bidding your heart suit at your next turn.
Over call your own suit 8-15 pts
Double then bid your own suit 16-18 pts
Double then freely bid your own suit skipping a level 19-21+ pts
If the opponent opens 1NT, all the suits are unbid, so a double is not for takeout. A double of 1NT is always for penalty, showing 18+ pts. Use this double cautiously. Even if you have a lot of high-card points, you should avoid making a penalty double unless you have a strong suit to lead.
Responding to Partner's Takeout Double! If partner doubles an opponent's suit bid, you must respond unless:
• The opponent on your right has also entered the bidding, OR
• You have a long, strong holding in the opponent's suit and want to "convert" partner's takeout double to a penalty double.
Respond your longest unbid suit at the level that shows your point-count:
• 0-8 pts. -- Bid your longest suit at the lowest level possible (1H - DBL - Pass - 1S, 2C or 2D).
• 8+-11 pts. -- Jump a level in your longest suit to show strength (1H - DBL - Pass - 2S, 3C or 3D).
• 7-10 pts. -- Bid 1NT if you have good stoppers in the opponent's suit.
• 11-12 pts. -- Jump to 2NT if you have stoppers in the opponent's suit, but do not have length in an unbid major.
• 12+ pts. – Cue bid the opponents suit. 100% game forcing
Barry Depristo
Takeout Double
If your opponent opens with a suit bid, a double by you promises:
• At least opening-bid strength (12+ pts.)
• Shortness in the suit the opponent opened.
• Support for all unbid suits. Your double forces partner to bid, so you must have at least 3-card length in any suit he will choose. Typical hands for a takeout double of an opponent's 1C opening would be:
KJ76 AQ92 KJ4 65
Q104 AK84 K10432 8
The exception: There is one type of hand where you can double without support for all unbid suits. You can start with a double if you have a hand that has one long suit and great strength (17+ pts.) -- The type of hand where you don't want to risk having partner pass a simple overcall of your suit. Your hand and your suit should be strong enough that you could make game if partner has as little as 4-6 pts. and a fit -- a hand like
KJ AQJ1084 AK65 7. To describe this hand, start with a double that forces partner to respond. Then "overrule" partner's choice by freely bidding your heart suit at your next turn.
Over call your own suit 8-15 pts
Double then bid your own suit 16-18 pts
Double then freely bid your own suit skipping a level 19-21+ pts
If the opponent opens 1NT, all the suits are unbid, so a double is not for takeout. A double of 1NT is always for penalty, showing 18+ pts. Use this double cautiously. Even if you have a lot of high-card points, you should avoid making a penalty double unless you have a strong suit to lead.
Responding to Partner's Takeout Double! If partner doubles an opponent's suit bid, you must respond unless:
• The opponent on your right has also entered the bidding, OR
• You have a long, strong holding in the opponent's suit and want to "convert" partner's takeout double to a penalty double.
Respond your longest unbid suit at the level that shows your point-count:
• 0-8 pts. -- Bid your longest suit at the lowest level possible (1H - DBL - Pass - 1S, 2C or 2D).
• 8+-11 pts. -- Jump a level in your longest suit to show strength (1H - DBL - Pass - 2S, 3C or 3D).
• 7-10 pts. -- Bid 1NT if you have good stoppers in the opponent's suit.
• 11-12 pts. -- Jump to 2NT if you have stoppers in the opponent's suit, but do not have length in an unbid major.
• 12+ pts. – Cue bid the opponents suit. 100% game forcing
Barry Depristo
Wednesday, November 11, 2009
2/1
Basic Two-Over-One
The concept behind this sheet is for a player who is familiar with Standard American to be able to pick up 2/1 quickly. 2/1 is very similar to Standard American but there are two major differences: -
(a) A new-suit two-level response to a 1/ opening is forcing to game.
(b) The response of 1NT to a 1/ opening is forcing.
1. A new suit at the two level
2 Suppose you have this hand and partner opens 1. You play weak jump shifts
AKJ9542 and so respond 2 and partner bids 2. What now? Playing Standard you
• K72 would probably jump to 4, but there may well be slam if partner has the Q.
A6 In 2/1 it’s simple – take it slowly with a bid of 3. The auction is absolutely game forcing.
AK96543 And playing 2/1 makes life much easier for opener. You hold this hand and
A4 open 1 and partner responds 2. What do you do now? 3? 4?
• 10 Playing 2/1 it’s very easy, take it slowly with 2. This is just one of the great
AJ8 advantages of 2/1 – there is no need to leap about to set up a game force.
2. The forcing NoTrump
So what do you do with a hand of 10-11 points where you would have responded at the two level? The answer is the forcing 1NT. Over a 1/ opening a 1NT bid is forcing; it may be virtually any shape and anything from 5 to a poor 12 points.
7 Partner opens 1. Playing Standard you would bid 2• and hopefully arrive
542 somewhere sensible. Playing 2/1 you do not have the values for a game force
• KQJ752 and so you bid a forcing 1NT. If partner then bids 2, 2 or 2 you can bid
A72 3• to show this hand type exactly.
J3 Partner opens 1 and you respond 1NT. If partner bids 2 you bid 2• - to play;
54 if partner bids 2• you pass; if partner bids 2 you bid 2 and play in the 5-2 fit;
• KJ9752 if partner bids 2 you pass and play in the 6-2 fit.
J52
3. Responding to partner’s forcing NoTrump
Opener must respond. With a six card suit he can rebid it. With 54xx he can bid 2. A 5-card major is not usually rebidable and opener my sometimes have to bid a three card minor.
There is just one really awkward shape – 4522. After a forcing NoTrump opener cannot reverse into 2 without full reversing values so this one is a problem. If the 5 card suit is very good then rebid it, otherwise bid 2. Flannery solves the problem but it really is a bit excessive to use the 2• opening just to solve this one rare problem.
If opener has a big hand with game potential then he can jump/reverse whatever as normal.
4. The constructive raise
Q65 Partner opens 1. Playing Standard you would bid 2 and pray that partner
J42 does not make a game try. Playing ‘Constructive Raises’ in the 2/1 system
• K752 you show this poor raise by bidding 1NT and then 2 over partner’s 2/•/
742 response.
KJ65 Partner opens 1. This time you have a decent raise and the way to show that
Q42 is to bid 2 immediately.
• K752
742
5. A reverse by opener after a 2/1 response
AQ653 What do you open with this hand? Playing Standard a 1 opening has its
82 problems as you do not have the values for a 3 high reverse over 2•/.
• 2 But playing 2/1 there is no problem. A 2•/ response is game forcing and
AK742 it’s best to play that a subsequent reverse by opener does not show extras.
AQ65 Here you open 1 and get a 2 or 2• response. Without agreement to the
AQ982 contrary a 2 bid would show 16+ points. Playing 2/1 it simply shows the
• 2 shape and does not promise extra values.
742
6. The 11-12 point 2NT invitational bid
53 Partner opens 1 and you have a classic 2NT response; but most players
Q82 play Jacoby 2NT. In Standard you would bid 2 followed by 2NT but that
• AK86 is game forcing in 2/1.
K942 The answer is to bid a forcing 1NT and then bid 2NT over partner’s response.
7. The 3-card limit raise
KJ3 Partner opens 1. Playing Standard you would bid 2 and then 3 to show
82 just three card support.
• K863 Playing 2/1 you start with a forcing 1NT and then jump to 3.
A942
8. 1NT and two-level responses by a Passed Hand
Note that 2/1 only applies if responder is not a passed hand, so 1NT is natural if you have passed. If partner opens 1/ in 3rd seat or 1 in 4th seat then I like to play (two-way reverse) Drury. I do not play Drury if partner opens 1 in 4th seat as that is always a sound opener (whereas 1 may well be on the light side - rule of 15) but play natural methods.
____________________
The concept behind this sheet is for a player who is familiar with Standard American to be able to pick up 2/1 quickly. 2/1 is very similar to Standard American but there are two major differences: -
(a) A new-suit two-level response to a 1/ opening is forcing to game.
(b) The response of 1NT to a 1/ opening is forcing.
1. A new suit at the two level
2 Suppose you have this hand and partner opens 1. You play weak jump shifts
AKJ9542 and so respond 2 and partner bids 2. What now? Playing Standard you
• K72 would probably jump to 4, but there may well be slam if partner has the Q.
A6 In 2/1 it’s simple – take it slowly with a bid of 3. The auction is absolutely game forcing.
AK96543 And playing 2/1 makes life much easier for opener. You hold this hand and
A4 open 1 and partner responds 2. What do you do now? 3? 4?
• 10 Playing 2/1 it’s very easy, take it slowly with 2. This is just one of the great
AJ8 advantages of 2/1 – there is no need to leap about to set up a game force.
2. The forcing NoTrump
So what do you do with a hand of 10-11 points where you would have responded at the two level? The answer is the forcing 1NT. Over a 1/ opening a 1NT bid is forcing; it may be virtually any shape and anything from 5 to a poor 12 points.
7 Partner opens 1. Playing Standard you would bid 2• and hopefully arrive
542 somewhere sensible. Playing 2/1 you do not have the values for a game force
• KQJ752 and so you bid a forcing 1NT. If partner then bids 2, 2 or 2 you can bid
A72 3• to show this hand type exactly.
J3 Partner opens 1 and you respond 1NT. If partner bids 2 you bid 2• - to play;
54 if partner bids 2• you pass; if partner bids 2 you bid 2 and play in the 5-2 fit;
• KJ9752 if partner bids 2 you pass and play in the 6-2 fit.
J52
3. Responding to partner’s forcing NoTrump
Opener must respond. With a six card suit he can rebid it. With 54xx he can bid 2. A 5-card major is not usually rebidable and opener my sometimes have to bid a three card minor.
There is just one really awkward shape – 4522. After a forcing NoTrump opener cannot reverse into 2 without full reversing values so this one is a problem. If the 5 card suit is very good then rebid it, otherwise bid 2. Flannery solves the problem but it really is a bit excessive to use the 2• opening just to solve this one rare problem.
If opener has a big hand with game potential then he can jump/reverse whatever as normal.
4. The constructive raise
Q65 Partner opens 1. Playing Standard you would bid 2 and pray that partner
J42 does not make a game try. Playing ‘Constructive Raises’ in the 2/1 system
• K752 you show this poor raise by bidding 1NT and then 2 over partner’s 2/•/
742 response.
KJ65 Partner opens 1. This time you have a decent raise and the way to show that
Q42 is to bid 2 immediately.
• K752
742
5. A reverse by opener after a 2/1 response
AQ653 What do you open with this hand? Playing Standard a 1 opening has its
82 problems as you do not have the values for a 3 high reverse over 2•/.
• 2 But playing 2/1 there is no problem. A 2•/ response is game forcing and
AK742 it’s best to play that a subsequent reverse by opener does not show extras.
AQ65 Here you open 1 and get a 2 or 2• response. Without agreement to the
AQ982 contrary a 2 bid would show 16+ points. Playing 2/1 it simply shows the
• 2 shape and does not promise extra values.
742
6. The 11-12 point 2NT invitational bid
53 Partner opens 1 and you have a classic 2NT response; but most players
Q82 play Jacoby 2NT. In Standard you would bid 2 followed by 2NT but that
• AK86 is game forcing in 2/1.
K942 The answer is to bid a forcing 1NT and then bid 2NT over partner’s response.
7. The 3-card limit raise
KJ3 Partner opens 1. Playing Standard you would bid 2 and then 3 to show
82 just three card support.
• K863 Playing 2/1 you start with a forcing 1NT and then jump to 3.
A942
8. 1NT and two-level responses by a Passed Hand
Note that 2/1 only applies if responder is not a passed hand, so 1NT is natural if you have passed. If partner opens 1/ in 3rd seat or 1 in 4th seat then I like to play (two-way reverse) Drury. I do not play Drury if partner opens 1 in 4th seat as that is always a sound opener (whereas 1 may well be on the light side - rule of 15) but play natural methods.
____________________
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