[asbell]

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What the **** is 2NT? Simultaneously denying a fit with me in spades, when it has 4 of them, and proclaiming a stop in diamonds, when it has Qx. A TOTAL JOKE.

[benellis58]

Yes, Asbell. I think you may have come up with a very effective motto and marketing slogan for the GIB/GIBBO robots: "A Total Joke". Do you have an extensive background in advertising? I ask, because you seem to have a great talent for that industry.

[msheald]

Hello! I agree. Robot's bid and the bid description do not match - an on-going problem for the BBO robots.

As a teaching point for me, I had always played the 2NT bid by opener [1C-pass-1S-(2diamond)-2NT] as showing 11 to 14 points. Reviewing SA, I understand that folks play it as 18 to 19 points. I had played that if I, as opener opposite this bidding, had 18 to 19 points, I would automatically go to 3NT (assuming I had a diamond stopper!). Responders bid shows a minimum of 6 points, and is unlimited at the high end, so the partnership has points and distribution for a 3NT game. Partner then would know that he might consider slam evaluation if the 1 spade response was looking for a 4-4 spade fit while having 13+ points. 2NT in such a situation then would invite partner to bid 3NT game with 11 to 14 points.

The downside of using 2NT as 11 to 14 points is that partnership might only have 17 points, but then down 2 undoubled and not vulnerable is likely a good score. As opener, I would likely pass if vulnerable with 11 to 14 points as is common in SA.

I asked in the past in the intermediate forum what a 3NT bid would mean instead of a 2NT bid in SA with this type of bidding sequence, but folks did not know, so I thought that I would ask here. What are the advantages of using 2NT bid with 18 to 19 points rather than 3NT? And, if 2NT means 18 to 19 points, what would a 3NT bid mean in SA?

Thank you and best regards. Mike

[harikannan]

I think it would mean AKQJxxx in clubs and a diamond stopper.

[diana_eva]

asbell, on 2026-October-29, 13:55, said:

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What the **** is 2NT? Simultaneously denying a fit with me in spades, when it has 4 of them, and proclaiming a stop in diamonds, when it has Qx. A TOTAL JOKE.

Thanks for posting the hand. We sent it to Lorand to investigate what went wrong there.

Meanwhile we refunded your entry fee both for the tourney where this happened, and for the robot rented. Sorry about this, we'll check and fix in the next GIBBO upgrades.

[asbell]

Many thanks Diana, I hope it gets fixed.

Many humans would just open the robot's 21HCP 2NT which probably solves most of the problems - I imagine the robot got confused about the priority of showing a big hand (NB the 18-19HCP description is yet another wrong feature of the bid) as opposed to either just bidding the obvious 4♠, or doing something forcing like 3♦.

[msheald]

Like a gambling 3NT opening? Has to be alerted, I would think, since it is not standard? What would pure SA 3NT bid instead of 2NT bid mean?. Mike

[benellis58]

As I just wrote in another thread, Diana is the MVP of BBO. She is the best, and her actions here continue to prove that she is the best. We are all very lucky to have her dedicated and exceptional service.