[diana_eva]

Need a team for today at 2PM New York Time (8PM Central European Time)

[gszes]

I am constantly amazed at the lack of interest in playing (and learning from the experience) against some of the top players in the WORLD. In what other sport can one try to hone one's skills against future hall of fame players?? Even if you get slaughtered 3 good things will come from the experience.

1. You will begin to get rid of some of the butterflies that inevitably happen when playing in high level competition (some days in front of 1000+ kibitzers).

2. JEC graciously provides all the medical help you need to help heal those JEC MACK TRUCK TIRE WOUNDS:)))))))

3. No guarantee on this one but you might actually LEARN something if you study the results.

[barmar]

It was me+zebutin and diana_eva+ marintlc. We lost by 22, 49-27.

http://webutil.bridg...279173&u=barmar

My defense on 6 was lazy, that cost us really big. Zebutin was squeezed on 20, and declarer probably would have found it, but zebutin made it easy by pitching a club; unfortunately, Tracey didn't find it at the other table.

Board 9 was a gift, Garozzo miscounted his tricks.

What do people think of my reopening on 19? It was the only real bidding decision I had to make the entire session.

[FelicityR]

gszes, on 2017-April-15, 11:43, said:

I am constantly amazed at the lack of interest in playing (and learning from the experience) against some of the top players in the WORLD. In what other sport can one try to hone one's skills against future hall of fame players?? Even if you get slaughtered 3 good things will come from the experience.

1. You will begin to get rid of some of the butterflies that inevitably happen when playing in high level competition (some days in front of 1000+ kibitzers).

2. JEC graciously provides all the medical help you need to help heal those JEC MACK TRUCK TIRE WOUNDS:)))))))

3. No guarantee on this one but you might actually LEARN something if you study the results.

I recognise I am way out of my depth even to contemplate taking part in a JEC game, that I enjoy watching from time to time. But, and I can only speak for myself, playing against some of the world's top players who have honed every bid and card to virtual perfection with a pick-up partner is, in my view, a car crash waiting to happen.

I would not be nervous having people watch me - I have sung and acted in front of hundreds - but partnering someone who isn't a regular partner just makes the game doubly difficult, I feel.

Given that JEC's team beats established partnerships regularly, I assume the 'lack of interest' for want of a better phrase is a combination of factors including what I have written above.

Let's be honest, on a Saturday night, at 8pm European time, I would be getting ready for a night out at the theatre, or the cinema, or meeting friends for drinks, and I am sure there are many other European players who would be doing the same.

[Phil]

FelicityR, on 2017-April-16, 02:32, said:

I recognise I am way out of my depth even to contemplate taking part in a JEC game, that I enjoy watching from time to time. But, and I can only speak for myself, playing against some of the world's top players who have honed every bid and card to virtual perfection with a pick-up partner is, in my view, a car crash waiting to happen.

I would not be nervous having people watch me - I have sung and acted in front of hundreds - but partnering someone who isn't a regular partner just makes the game doubly difficult, I feel.

If you're a regular poster, there's a precedent for bringing in a partner who is non BBC.

While the play is strong, it's far from perfect. If you've been a performer you understand the way to develop poise is to frequently put yourself in a situation in front of a lot of people.

Jillybean used to sign up a lot and she advanced into a competent player as a result.

Please sign up in one of these weeks.

[FelicityR]

Phil, on 2017-April-16, 09:04, said:

If you're a regular poster, there's a precedent for bringing in a partner who is non BBC.

While the play is strong, it's far from perfect. If you've been a performer you understand the way to develop poise is to frequently put yourself in a situation in front of a lot of people.

Jillybean used to sign up a lot and she advanced into a competent player as a result.

Please sign up in one of these weeks.

Very kind words, Phil. Thank you. But I know my level, and I'd rather watch some young guns give the JEC team a run for their money than get involved myself. However I will keep on posting on the forums as it helps me learn, and helps others too, and it's good looking at all the replies to a specific question. It's stimulating.