[blml] Online Bridge

[Adam Beneschan]

Richard Willey wrote:
 
> I would argue that online bridge taking place in venues like Bridge
> Base Online and OKBridge are the future of the game.  The number of
> tables played each day on BBO dwarfs the ACBL Nationals or any other
> large face to face tournament.  

I generally agree with your conclusion that online bridge is the
future, but it doesn't help your case to use meaningless arguments.  I
think it's just as valid to say that the number of tables played each
day in clubs all over the world dwarfs the ACBL Nationals or any other
single large tournament.  You're comparing apples and oranges, as far
as I can tell.

> Assume for the moment that partner and I are playing in an ACBL
> sectional.  Partner and I are using Bridge Base Online's Full
> Disclosure application.  (For anyone not used to BBO, Full Disclosure
> is an application that automates the alert/announcement process.  BBO
> provides standard scripting files that document a number of different
> standard bidding systems.  Players have the option of customizing
> these files.  Alternatively, players can create their own files
> document more esoteric methods.  Once a file has been loaded, its
> pretty much "fire and forget".  These system will automatically
> generate an alert or announcement for any sequence that it knows
> about).
> 
> Lets assume for the moment that partner and I agree to play Standard
> American Yellow Card and load the BBO's SAYC FD file.  During the
> tournament, the following bidding sequence crops up.
> 
> I open 1C - FD announces that this is a constructive opening,
> promising 3+ Clubs and 11+ HCP.  Partner will typically open 1C with
> 3-3 in the minors and 1D with 4-4 in the minors
> 
> LHO passes
> 
> Partner bids 2N - FD announces that this is an invitational response,
> showing 11-12 HCP and denying a 4 card major)
> 
> Here's the rub.  Partner and I both think that 2NT is a forcing
> response, promising 13-15 HCPs.  The FD file does not accurately
> describe our agreements, however, we agreed that this script documents
> our agreements.
> 
> The opponents get annoyed and complain to the TD.
> How should one rule?

The same way as you'd rule if a pair in F2F bridge had a mismarked
convention card, and an opponent became misinformed by looking at the
CC without asking you a question.  It looks like essentially the same
situation to me.  

                                -- Adam