Real success in limited national events (1st NAP C, 2nd 0-1500 LM Pairs, 3/4 GNT B, 4th 0-5000 Blue Ribbons) and limited success in real national events (11th national 2-day swiss, 22nd mixed swiss, 22nd 3-day swiss, 26th fast pairs, and other low overalls)
I try to nearly always ask leads and carding as the lead is being faced before the dummy is displayed and without regard to what is in my hand.
I think there are real bridge reasons for knowing if the the A could be from AK even when you know ...
The table counts are included at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_American_Bridge_Championships and the SF NABC was bigger than 3 of the past 5 fall nationals, more than 50% larger than last year (Honolulu - much nicer climate, but much fewer players). For the year there were more tables than last ...
Here's my not great CC/disclosure in a top event (but not against top pros):
On day one of the NABC+ swiss I'm playing a team that is clearly not american (they were young players wearing a uniform) and wanted to see the CC before the match so ...
If you are asking why upgrade, each A or T away from average is worth about 0.5 points (average hand has 2, this hand has 5!). A 5 card suit is worth about an extra 0.5 (maybe more since it is HHHxx). Even the spots past the honors ...
Imho N bid perfectly. South should bid 4♥, not 3♥, although at match points I can understand sometimes not pushing for every thin game so it isn't the awful mistake it would be at imps.
There was a blow up yesterday in the regional open pairs when someone didn't have a convention card at the start of the evening session (not my table, but impossible to miss). The director was called three times (at least) in the opening round and the pair with no ...