[uva72uva72]

My link

Matchpoints, ACBL Robot Individual

I am a meticulous note-checker. I never make assumptions about what a robot bid means, and I always check what my own bids will mean before I make them.

I am finding that this is not always such a good thing.

After North's ♥raise, I considered a slam try, but first checked the notes and (thought I) was glad I checked when I learned that North had no minor suit controls (not to mention impressed that the raise carried so much specific information). I (thought I) was relieved at not having made a move when the defense went ♦over, ♣ back, holding me to 4. I was definiately not expecting a 37% score. 4 players didn't read (or didn't believe) the note and went directly to 6♥, without benefit of Blackwood. 5 additional players didn't read or believe the notes, but did invoke Blackwood and stopped in 5♥. All got the lead of ♣A and a ♣ and made 6 when the ♠s were moderately friendly.

I don't see much that can be done about this. So just file this under "a word to the wise." Note to self: Next time be sure to use Blackwood and stop in 5 (Don't have the nerve to bid a slam off two Aces knowingly).

Corollary: On two occasions, the auction and the notes have let me figure out that a slam had a "no better than a finesse" chance of succeeding - missing a side Ace, 8-card trump fit missing the K, no way to tell if North has the trump J. On both occasions I stayed out of the slam as odds against. On both occasions North had the trump J and the finesse worked. Guess I'll bid the slam if the situation comes up again.

[Bbradley62]

Maybe the others just figured something was fishy when the description of 4♥ stated that North held 14+ cards.

[iandayre]

There are many candidates for the worst description of a GIB action, but the one for 4H gets my vote for the best. It is EXACTLY what 4H should mean, and at least in this case, GIB is not overriding it.

[Bbradley62]

iandayre, on 2015-February-17, 15:10, said:

There are many candidates for the worst description of a GIB action, but the one for 4H gets my vote for the best. It is EXACTLY what 4H should mean, and at least in this case, GIB is not overriding it.

The 4H bid should show 14+ cards?

[iandayre]

Bbradley62, on 2015-February-17, 17:01, said:

The 4H bid should show 14+ cards?

Well yes obviously at least one of the minors must be 2 cards. But it does say "balanced hand" so I really don't see any possibility of confusion.

[georgi]

Fixed in next version.

3NT here would show -> Balanced minimum, no minor control. -- 2-3 ♣; 2-3 ♦; 3+ ♥; 5+ ♠; 11+ HCP; no ♣AK; no ♦AK; 12-15 total points