[gneuz]

I've been playing with GIB robots to improve my game, and have come up with a recurring problem. The situation is partner and I have both passed while opps bid up the contract. Occaisionally they reach a contract I think we have a good chance of stopping, so I double. This is always interpreted by the robot as a takeout when I meant it as a penalty. The question is, how do you communicate to partner the specifics of a double? I always understood takeout was limited to first round of bidding. Is this something people encounter with human partners?

[helene_t]

When playing with GIBs, you have to adhere to its system. There is no way of instructing GIB to change its definitions of doubles and other calls.

With a human partner you can of course make agreements, but when a double is take-out and when it's penalty is a very complex matter. As a beginner I remember I was perplexed by the issue. There are some rules of thump that will help you out in most cases, but to really master doubles requires lots of experience.

It is certainly not true that t/o doubles are restricted to the first round. For example
p-p-p-1♠
p-2♠-x
is take-out.

[CSGibson]

Playing with the GIB robot to improve your game is frought with danger. They do not bid like a human would, and if you bid like the GIB robot, then you'll probably be in some ridiculous contracts.

[helene_t]

Disagree. GIBs bid better than most BBO'ers and most players at my club.

[jdonn]

helene_t, on May 23 2009, 10:51 AM, said:

Disagree. GIBs bid better than most BBO'ers and most players at my club.

I think Gibs bid a lot worse than most bbo'ers, but they certainly play way better. Of course the big advantage is you can generally know just what to expect, so if you aren't sure what a double would be, wave your mouse over it and see.