To make it more interesting, the human player gets a good hand every deal (a solid opening hand or better each time). So you are much more likely to declare, and your bidding/play is more important than the robots. GIB plays a fairly standardish system, but sometimes makes odd calls.

But it does play quickly. I seem to be able to get 10-12 deals done in 25 minutes. I'm not sure it's real bridge, but it's a pretty reasonable facsimile (and it does let you practice your declarer play opposite opponents who pay attention). And, without having to worry about partner's pesky feelings, the stacked deck aspect is fun. I don't think I'd pony up money for the experience, but I'd play free robot races again. And not just because I won the 2nd one I entered (with 5,000 points and 49 entrants).

Update: I see from the BridgeBase notes that the human player isn't given an opening deal ... instead you get the best hand dealt. Presumably you swap with the original recipient. So while that doesn't guarantee an opening hand, it's pretty close and it would make counting interesting when you get an 11 point hand.

Ax KJxx AKJxx Kx

Answer -- Learn to count to 19. Yes, your humble narrator stopped counting at 16 points, which was not the correct answer. I saw the King of Clubs, but declined to assign it any value. I specifically thought "AKJ twice is sixteen." Needless to say that cost me a cold (vul) game. Minus 10.

Despite this disaster, I managed a second overall (out of 30 pairs) when none of my other decisions were particularly bad (I gave away an overtrick here and there -- me likey IMPs), and several were good. Several gifts were donated, of course, but generally a solid game. I believe this ranks as my best tournament finish.

Which is just a roundabout way of gloating and way of mentioning why I'm not discussing other games. So ... no new content for you!

Howard Weinstein opens 1 with

Axxxx xx J9x AJ9

Partner wheels out a 5 bid.

After careful consideration, Weinstein passes. Apparently he thought he was being asked to bid 6 hearts with a top heart.

Gartner held

KQJTxx -- AKx Kxxx

As it turns out, the grand slam makes when clubs behave nicely.

One day I hope to be good enough to have my bridge lessers make snarky comments about my bidding disasters. To be fair to Weinstein, I've never heard that auction and "Super Splinter" wouldn't be the first thing to pop into my head.

Update: Michael points out this page, positing the Law of Total Trumps ("You should have more trumps than they do") and showing numerous violations at high levels.

As for gaming, I've played (and taught) some Bridge and Race. I've always thought of myself as a solid intermediate at Bridge, but it may be that I'm comparing myself to strong players (and usually playing with pickup partners). I'm going to try and start playing at least semi regularly (say, twice a month). That may interfere with new games. Oh well. I've already got my award.

If anyone knows of a free 1-page summary of Standard American (to give to novices) I'd appreciate it. So far the best I've seen is Karen Walker's Cheat sheet, but that's HTML (which means it doesn't necessarily print well). I could also spring for some placemats, I suppose. [Or just build a word file].

Update: I've heard that the play mats are Goren (ish). Also, one emailer pointed me towards a 1-page Standard American Yellow Card summary, which isn't bad, if I want to teach Transfers and Jacoby 2NT ...

But I didn't play in Raleigh mainly because I didn't like the clubs. I do like the club in San Antonio, and finally got back to it a few weeks ago. So I'm playing bridge again. So I'll post about it every now and then. [If you don't play, you Ekted's great review will help you comprehend the basics].

Right now the most amusing part is that I know the system I play fairly well, but sometimes forget conventions names. So, while discussing system with a new player "Do you play Smolen?" "Uh ... I think so. What is that again?" "After a stayman sequence, a jump to the other" "Yeah, I play that. Forcing?"

My last games were fine, which is to say that I would have made the same mistakes if I played a decade ago. I had a glorious mistake online recently though.

	63 AKQ QJT43 AJT
		AQJ98 8 AK8 Q876

The auction is neither here nor there (which is to say that several people messed up quite nicely), but declarer has shown hearts & diamonds and a weak hand. Partner leads the five of spades. So, how do you set the contract (this is IMPs, don't worry about over/under tricks) I'll post the rest of this sordid tale later.

Update: The contract is Three Diamonds.