UPDATE: Sorry folks, the original version of this post had some computer-generated analysis at the bottom, but it was for the wrong deal! Now everything matches up. Please excuse my mistake—things should run more smoothly now that I’m back in action with this thing.
We’re back!
I suspended publication of bridge deals in March of this year, but now that a few people have subscribed (and I thank you for that), daily posts of bridge deals will resume.
Daily posts will usually just give you the files of bridge deals without a lot of jibber-jabber. However, since this is the first post back from hiatus and since we have actual subscribers, some words are in order.
If you have questions about the blog or my bridge program, the best place to start is in the Computation Corner section, where I have written up several how-to posts. If you don’t find the answer you are looking for, just ask me via the comments in this blog, or drop me an email at mailto:christopher.jay.jones@gmail.com.
Monday is the day for completely random deals. Other days of the week have more targeted themes, such as 1-major openers, weak openers, etc. You can see how that works by looking back at older posts on the Substack blog. I chose to have a daily theme so as to give beginning players like myself a basis for studying specific types of deal; you may of course pick and choose which days’ deals you wish to use for your own purposes.
I am currently at work on enhancing my bridge deal generator to allow the user to configure the deal in as much detail as they want, and to randomize the rest of it. For instance, given a partial deal such as you see in problems in Bridge Bulletin, you could set up a deal where you specify one or two hands exactly, card by card, and let the computer generate the other two hands. And I will make it where you can optionally generate 16 versions of that hand, with dealer and vulnerability changing in the order shown on the typical bridge score sheet; that way, you can not only play out the hand as specified in the source book or magazine, but you can study it every which-a-way. That feature, combined with the current capability of generating mostly random deals based on a menu of characteristics, will make the deal generator quite useful. I am aware that BBO already offers this kind of thing. My goal in writing my own deal generator is to make it where I can easily generate mass quantities of deals as well as variations on deals, and support multiple file formats (e.g. LIN, PBN). Also, writing the program helps me study bridge.
Please let me know if you think of any improvements to the blog or to the deal generator program.
And now, what you would normally see in a daily post:
This is the link to the PBN file with 32 deals.
This is the link to the LIN file with 32 deals.
If you want to see how sets of deals are generated for this blog, or if you want to try to generate your own deals, check out my website and program that I use. This blog post has a link to the program website and to other useful information.
The following is the computer-generated analysis and auction for the deal displayed at the top of this post. This post describes the current state of the art for my analysis and auction. Please read that post before commenting on the analysis.
Bridge, Out Ahead - bridge hand analyzer
Sun May 22 2022 07:16:23 GMT-0500 (Central Daylight Time)
This deal is a random shuffle with no conditions.
Dealer: South
Vulnerability: Both.
Use length points: No.
Use dummy points: No.
It took 1 shuffle to find this deal.
==============================================================
South - Vulnerable
Spades (4)..: 10 9 8 5
Hearts (2)..: 10 3
Diamonds (4)..: A K 8 5
Clubs (3)..: 9 3 2
Shape: 4432 - The hand is balanced.
HCP. Total: 7-----Spades: 0---Hearts: 0---Diamonds: 7---Clubs: 0
Quick Tricks. Total: 2-----Spades: 0---Hearts: 0---Diamonds: 2---Clubs: 0
==============================================================
West - Vulnerable
Spades (3)..: K Q 7
Hearts (1)..: 7
Diamonds (3)..: J 10 4
Clubs (6)..: J 10 8 7 5 4
Shape: 6331 - The hand is not balanced.
HCP. Total: 7-----Spades: 5---Hearts: 0---Diamonds: 1---Clubs: 1
Quick Tricks. Total: 1-----Spades: 1---Hearts: 0---Diamonds: 0---Clubs: 0
==============================================================
North - Vulnerable
Spades (5)..: A 6 4 3 2
Hearts (5)..: Q J 9 8 5
Diamonds (3)..: Q 7 3
Clubs (0)..:
Shape: 5530 - The hand is not balanced.
HCP. Total: 9-----Spades: 4---Hearts: 3---Diamonds: 2---Clubs: 0
Quick Tricks. Total: 1-----Spades: 1---Hearts: 0---Diamonds: 0---Clubs: 0
==============================================================
East - Vulnerable
Spades (1)..: J
Hearts (5)..: A K 6 4 2
Diamonds (3)..: 9 6 2
Clubs (4)..: A K Q 6
Shape: 5431 - The hand is not balanced.
HCP. Total: 17-----Spades: 1---Hearts: 7---Diamonds: 0---Clubs: 9
Quick Tricks. Total: 4-----Spades: 0---Hearts: 2---Diamonds: 0---Clubs: 2
==============================================================
Starting the auction.
==============================================================
Entering Bid Driver for South
Check if opening bid already made.
Opening bid not made. See if this player can open bidding.
Entering the slam opening bid qualification routine.
A slam opening bid requires at least 33 points.
The hand does not have enough points to open with a slam bid.
Entering the strong opening bid qualification routine.
The strong opening bids are 2NT, 3NT, or 2C. All require 20-32 points. Check point range first.
The hand does not have enough points for a strong opening bid.
Entering the one level opening bid qualification routine.
This involves opening 1 major, 1NT, or 1 minor based on points and hand shape.
All 12-21 points hands can open at least at the 1 level.
We also will open at the 1 level with 11 points if we have a six-card suit or two good five-card suits (with some exceptions).
The hand does not have enough points for a 1-level opening bid.
Entering the weak opening bid qualification routine.
This involves opening with fewer than 12 points.
We consider, in order, Rule of 20 + 2, Rule of 20, and preempts.
Rule of 20 + 2: the lengths of the two longest suits plus total HCP is at least 20, and there are at least 2 quick tricks in the two longest suits.
Entering Rule of 20 + 2 evaluation. First see if any two suits satisfy the rule.
No two suits satisfy the rule. No further evaluation.
This hand cannot open based on Rule of 20 + 2.
Check for Rule of 20: the lengths of the two longest suits plus total HCP is at least 20. No quick trick requirement.
Entering Rule of 20 evaluation. First see if any two suits satisfy the rule.
No two suits satisfy the rule. No further evaluation.
This hand cannot open based on Rule of 20.
Check for preempt at the 5 level: 5-10 points and a 9-card suit in diamonds or clubs, situational.
Entering 5-level preempt evaluation. Basic requirements are 5-10 points and a nine-card diamond or club suit.
We did not meet the basic requirements. End evaluation.
This hand cannot open with a preempt at the 5 level.
Check for preempt at the 4 level: 5-10 points and an 8-card suit, situational.
Entering 4-level preempt evaluation. Basic requirements are 5-10 points and an eight-card suit.
We did not meet the basic requirements. End evaluation.
This hand cannot open with a preempt at the 4 level.
Check for preempt at the 3 level: 5-10 points and a 7-card suit, situational.
Entering 3-level preempt evaluation. Basic requirements are 5-10 points and a seven-card suit.
We did not meet the basic requirements. End evaluation.
This hand cannot open with a preempt at the 3 level.
Check for preempt at the 2 level: 5-10 points and a 6-card suit, situational. Cannot bid 2 clubs--reserved for strong artificial bid.
Entering 2-level preempt evaluation. Basic requirements are 5-10 points and a six-card suit other than clubs.
2C is reserved for strong artificial bids.
We did not meet the basic requirements. End evaluation.
This hand cannot open with a preempt at the 2 level.
The hand didn't qualify for any other bid. Pass.
==============================================================
Entering Bid Driver for West
Check if opening bid already made.
Opening bid not made. See if this player can open bidding.
Entering the slam opening bid qualification routine.
A slam opening bid requires at least 33 points.
The hand does not have enough points to open with a slam bid.
Entering the strong opening bid qualification routine.
The strong opening bids are 2NT, 3NT, or 2C. All require 20-32 points. Check point range first.
The hand does not have enough points for a strong opening bid.
Entering the one level opening bid qualification routine.
This involves opening 1 major, 1NT, or 1 minor based on points and hand shape.
All 12-21 points hands can open at least at the 1 level.
We also will open at the 1 level with 11 points if we have a six-card suit or two good five-card suits (with some exceptions).
The hand does not have enough points for a 1-level opening bid.
Entering the weak opening bid qualification routine.
This involves opening with fewer than 12 points.
We consider, in order, Rule of 20 + 2, Rule of 20, and preempts.
Rule of 20 + 2: the lengths of the two longest suits plus total HCP is at least 20, and there are at least 2 quick tricks in the two longest suits.
Entering Rule of 20 + 2 evaluation. First see if any two suits satisfy the rule.
No two suits satisfy the rule. No further evaluation.
This hand cannot open based on Rule of 20 + 2.
Check for Rule of 20: the lengths of the two longest suits plus total HCP is at least 20. No quick trick requirement.
Entering Rule of 20 evaluation. First see if any two suits satisfy the rule.
No two suits satisfy the rule. No further evaluation.
This hand cannot open based on Rule of 20.
Check for preempt at the 5 level: 5-10 points and a 9-card suit in diamonds or clubs, situational.
Entering 5-level preempt evaluation. Basic requirements are 5-10 points and a nine-card diamond or club suit.
We did not meet the basic requirements. End evaluation.
This hand cannot open with a preempt at the 5 level.
Check for preempt at the 4 level: 5-10 points and an 8-card suit, situational.
Entering 4-level preempt evaluation. Basic requirements are 5-10 points and an eight-card suit.
We did not meet the basic requirements. End evaluation.
This hand cannot open with a preempt at the 4 level.
Check for preempt at the 3 level: 5-10 points and a 7-card suit, situational.
Entering 3-level preempt evaluation. Basic requirements are 5-10 points and a seven-card suit.
We did not meet the basic requirements. End evaluation.
This hand cannot open with a preempt at the 3 level.
Check for preempt at the 2 level: 5-10 points and a 6-card suit, situational. Cannot bid 2 clubs--reserved for strong artificial bid.
Entering 2-level preempt evaluation. Basic requirements are 5-10 points and a six-card suit other than clubs.
2C is reserved for strong artificial bids.
We did not meet the basic requirements. End evaluation.
This hand cannot open with a preempt at the 2 level.
The hand didn't qualify for any other bid. Pass.
==============================================================
Entering Bid Driver for North
Check if opening bid already made.
Opening bid not made. See if this player can open bidding.
Entering the slam opening bid qualification routine.
A slam opening bid requires at least 33 points.
The hand does not have enough points to open with a slam bid.
Entering the strong opening bid qualification routine.
The strong opening bids are 2NT, 3NT, or 2C. All require 20-32 points. Check point range first.
The hand does not have enough points for a strong opening bid.
Entering the one level opening bid qualification routine.
This involves opening 1 major, 1NT, or 1 minor based on points and hand shape.
All 12-21 points hands can open at least at the 1 level.
We also will open at the 1 level with 11 points if we have a six-card suit or two good five-card suits (with some exceptions).
The hand does not have enough points for a 1-level opening bid.
Entering the weak opening bid qualification routine.
This involves opening with fewer than 12 points.
We consider, in order, Rule of 20 + 2, Rule of 20, and preempts.
Rule of 20 + 2: the lengths of the two longest suits plus total HCP is at least 20, and there are at least 2 quick tricks in the two longest suits.
Entering Rule of 20 + 2 evaluation. First see if any two suits satisfy the rule.
No two suits satisfy the rule. No further evaluation.
This hand cannot open based on Rule of 20 + 2.
Check for Rule of 20: the lengths of the two longest suits plus total HCP is at least 20. No quick trick requirement.
Entering Rule of 20 evaluation. First see if any two suits satisfy the rule.
No two suits satisfy the rule. No further evaluation.
This hand cannot open based on Rule of 20.
Check for preempt at the 5 level: 5-10 points and a 9-card suit in diamonds or clubs, situational.
Entering 5-level preempt evaluation. Basic requirements are 5-10 points and a nine-card diamond or club suit.
We did not meet the basic requirements. End evaluation.
This hand cannot open with a preempt at the 5 level.
Check for preempt at the 4 level: 5-10 points and an 8-card suit, situational.
Entering 4-level preempt evaluation. Basic requirements are 5-10 points and an eight-card suit.
We did not meet the basic requirements. End evaluation.
This hand cannot open with a preempt at the 4 level.
Check for preempt at the 3 level: 5-10 points and a 7-card suit, situational.
Entering 3-level preempt evaluation. Basic requirements are 5-10 points and a seven-card suit.
We did not meet the basic requirements. End evaluation.
This hand cannot open with a preempt at the 3 level.
Check for preempt at the 2 level: 5-10 points and a 6-card suit, situational. Cannot bid 2 clubs--reserved for strong artificial bid.
Entering 2-level preempt evaluation. Basic requirements are 5-10 points and a six-card suit other than clubs.
2C is reserved for strong artificial bids.
We did not meet the basic requirements. End evaluation.
This hand cannot open with a preempt at the 2 level.
For 3rd and 4th seat opening bids, we also use Rule of 15.
The rule says if points + number spades is at least 15, open 1S. I add the further requirement of 1 quick tricks in spades.
This hand cannot open 1S based on Rule of 15.
The hand didn't qualify for any other bid. Pass.
==============================================================
Entering Bid Driver for East
Check if opening bid already made.
Opening bid not made. See if this player can open bidding.
Entering the slam opening bid qualification routine.
A slam opening bid requires at least 33 points.
The hand does not have enough points to open with a slam bid.
Entering the strong opening bid qualification routine.
The strong opening bids are 2NT, 3NT, or 2C. All require 20-32 points. Check point range first.
The hand does not have enough points for a strong opening bid.
Entering the one level opening bid qualification routine.
This involves opening 1 major, 1NT, or 1 minor based on points and hand shape.
All 12-21 points hands can open at least at the 1 level.
We also will open at the 1 level with 11 points if we have a six-card suit or two good five-card suits (with some exceptions).
Check for possible opening of 1 of a major suit.
Requires at least 5 of a major suit, which precludes a NT opening.
We have enough spades or hearts to open bidding.
Hearts are longer than spades. Open 1H.
==============================================================
Entering Bid Driver for South
Check if opening bid already made.
Overcalls not implemented yet. Pass.
==============================================================
Entering Bid Driver for West
Check if opening bid already made.
Entering the response to 1H opening bid qualification routine.
Check for possible 4H game bid. Assume opener has at least 12 points.
Check for possible 3H limit raise with 4+ hearts and 10-12 points.
Check for possible 3NT bid with balanced hand, no hearts support, 13-15 points, stoppers in unbid suits.
Check for possible 1S response to 1H. Requires 4+ spades and 6+ points. Possible hearts fit, but check spades first.
However, if also have exactly 3 hearts and 6-7 points, do not bid spades at this point. We will bid 2H eventually.
Let opponents seek their spade fit, and if they win the auction we can ambush them with our spades.
Check for possible 2NT bid with balanced hand, no hearts support, 11-12 points (or 10-12 with rich 10-pointer), stoppers in unbid suits.
We know we have < 4S because we checked for the possible 1S response.
Check for possible 2D response to 1H. Requires 4+ diamonds, 10+ points, and diamonds are not shorter than clubs.
Check for possible 2C response to 1H. Requires 4+ clubs and 10+ points, and clubs are longer than diamonds.
Check for possible 2H response to 1H. Requires 3+ hearts and 6-9 points.
Check for possible 1NT response to 1H. Requires < 3 hearts, and 6-9 points (or 6-10 with poor 10-pointer).
I have < 3 hearts, and 6-9 points (or 6-10 with poor 10-pointer). Bid 1NT.
==============================================================
Entering Bid Driver for North
Check if opening bid already made.
Overcalls not implemented yet. Pass.
==============================================================
Entering Bid Driver for East
Check if opening bid already made.
Rebids not implemented yet. Pass.
==============================================================
Entering Bid Driver for South
Check if opening bid already made.
Overcalls not implemented yet. Pass.
==============================================================
= Auction =
= NOTE: This auction is limited by the author's knowledge of bridge.
= Auction will be enhanced as time allows, but for now here are the key limitations:
= Opener only bids pass, 1M, 1m, 1NT, 2C, 2NT, 3NT, or preempts up to 5 level.
= No overcalls. Once a player opens, partner is the only other bidder.
= Only 1 round of response bidding to 1-Major or 1-minor openings.
= No opener or responder rebids.
= No response to 1NT opening.
= No response to 2C, 2NT, 3NT opening.
------------------------------------------------------------
Round: 1
Player Position: South
Call: Pass
Non-forcing
------------------------------------------------------------
Round: 1
Player Position: West
Call: Pass
Non-forcing
------------------------------------------------------------
Round: 1
Player Position: North
Call: Pass
Non-forcing
------------------------------------------------------------
Round: 1
Player Position: East
Call: 1H
Caller is opener
Non-forcing
Shows points in range 12 to 21
------------------------------------------------------------
Round: 2
Player Position: South
Call: Pass
Non-forcing
------------------------------------------------------------
Round: 2
Player Position: West
Call: 1NT
Caller is responder
Non-forcing
Shows points in range 6 to 9
Note: I have < 3 hearts, and 6-9 points (or 6-10 with poor 10-pointer). Bid 1NT.
------------------------------------------------------------
Round: 2
Player Position: North
Call: Pass
Non-forcing
------------------------------------------------------------
Round: 2
Player Position: East
Call: Pass
Non-forcing
------------------------------------------------------------
Round: 3
Player Position: South
Call: Pass
Non-forcing