I'll be running 2 new tourneys over the weekend

Saturday Sizzler - 8 board 4x2 pairs IMPs 6mins per board  will start on Sat 14 Dec 7pm UK/UTC 2pm Eastern

Serious Sunday - 1st one ran on Sun 1st Dec. I would like this to be 16 boards 4x4 MP Pairs but for the first one I cut it down to 12 bds to accommodate our Indian players. Going forward, I would like it start at 6.30 UK/UTC, 1.30 Eastern. This will also now be 6 mins per board, cut down from the 7min standard as requested by the players in the first tourney.

Please let me know what are your preferences

OK Thurs 3rd May I will continue with Interventions over 1NT - and then I think we should move on to a new topic. Please suggest something folks, otherwise I'll cover Ace asking bids: Blackwood, Minorwood, Gerber, RKC and with a little help from my friends, showing voids within RKC.

I went through pretty much the same thought processes as Todd, and came down to a  I don't see that any particular  has merit, but decided on the T.

Sorry I was allegedly slow in responding, there are times when I can go a whole day without hitting any websites except my email, Facebook and BBO.

Thx all,
   Ken, yes 'Good riddance' was pretty much my reaction. If I've done something wrong, I hope my Partner, even a pick up partner, to talk it over with me. Saying '1S 18pts' and then leaving is just grossly rude imo, and yes, I rarely encounter anyone 'flouncing off; when playing with other IAC players

    Todd, as noted I only play LTC when I'm playing with someone who's agreed to play it with me. However, LTC is not my sole hand evaluation technique. I generally start with raw HCPs and downgrade for any quacks, and may use Bergen Hand Evaluation if agreed with my p. I will almost certainly use Bergen for the rebid 

     Oliver, as noted I am not a great fan of game-openers. However, I assure you, they are still in widespread use - and I have 1 IAC partner who plays them regularly

     Grant, I agree entirely with your response. I may have to think about acquiring some revolting UK candy in readiness of any further poor behaviour

Hi,
  I believe my problems with the 'Play' code are associated with my Java environments on each machine.

Desktop PC - I de-installed Java, intending to upgrade the Java release as AABridge didnt like the release level I had. When I attempt to re-instal the new Java release, the Instal package refuses to run. I am mystified by this and still trying to figure what to try next

Laptop - Iwas intending to upgrade Java on the laptop, however, it has since pretty much died on me. The battery is constantly flat, and my power line also needs to be replaced. ie I need to buy a new laptop.

Notebook: I have a notebook-PC which I occasionally use when the the other 2 are unavailable. This runs a cut-down old version of Windows Vista, and I havent upgraded Java on it. I tried going into 'Play' on it - and it works fine!!!

I fully understand that an Admin may not always be available, and as I confirmed, I logged on about half hour later than anticipated. I do have all the IAC Admins marked as friends and in a special group so that I will always spot someone if they are online. Please let me know when the new TD gets Admin priviledges so that I can move him over to my IAC Admins group.

thanks, Ian

I was playing in the Main room with an IAC friend and his reg non-IAC partner. I picked up a p identifying himself as an expert.

I opened the following hand in 1st seat with 1 . All pass and I make +3. Partner says '1  18 pts?' I say 'Yes, how would you bid it, p?'. By answer, he leaves the table.

I don't usually play LTC unless I'm with a p that's playing it. There was no mention of LTC in the expert's profile.

My IAC friend suggests that maybe I should open this hand with 2  - which I might well do if I was playing LTC.

In hindsight, it occurs to me that I might open it with 4  . I'm not a big fan of opening at game level, as it generally doesn't need much from p to be in slam territory, and game openers are generally played as shut out bids.

I got told off by Hoki for suggesting a 2 opening on a similar hand last week.

Thoughts appreciated

My hand:
  AKQ732
  A3
  KQ52
  4

My p's hand
  J4
  T85
  JT96
  JT53

After trick 3, you still have all suits under control so the QH finesse attempt can do no harm. If the finesse fails, opps lead a Club which you take with the Ace and then cash your contract out

Sorry I never got the prototype spreadsheet up to the Admin area before being thrown out of the Admin group. So I guess its back to you Oliver.