I hope one day in the foreseeable future BBO upgrades the group challenge feature to include as many participants as the creator desires (think mini-tournament volume) and longer time limits. This would be a great tool to utilize with casual players who do not have the time to play together very often but enjoy the discussion of playing the same hands.
Currently, the UGA Duplicate Bridge Club hosts a few such group challenges every week to practice away from the table and pinpoint themes in weaknesses that need to be addressed. The best part is that users can compare their results to other players to have some comparison for how the play could have gone.
This was necessary to grasp the right line on the following hand: (link)
One line that presents itself immediately is to play for hearts to split 2-2. Declarer can later ruff a club in dummy for the 10th trick. This also works when East has KJx.
Another line that improves on this is to adopt a cross ruff. The plan is to cash the HA and DAK prior to ruffing the black suits back and forth. It is important to preserve the CK as a winner later, as there will be two boss trumps outstanding that need to be removed.
Another hand illustrated the advantages of direct comparison in the challenge matches: (link)
When West leads a heart, declarer should recognize the need to pitch hearts on the DAK. After doing so, what is the best way to proceed?
Currently, the UGA Duplicate Bridge Club hosts a few such group challenges every week to practice away from the table and pinpoint themes in weaknesses that need to be addressed. The best part is that users can compare their results to other players to have some comparison for how the play could have gone.
This was necessary to grasp the right line on the following hand: (link)
One line that presents itself immediately is to play for hearts to split 2-2. Declarer can later ruff a club in dummy for the 10th trick. This also works when East has KJx.
Another line that improves on this is to adopt a cross ruff. The plan is to cash the HA and DAK prior to ruffing the black suits back and forth. It is important to preserve the CK as a winner later, as there will be two boss trumps outstanding that need to be removed.
Another hand illustrated the advantages of direct comparison in the challenge matches: (link)
When West leads a heart, declarer should recognize the need to pitch hearts on the DAK. After doing so, what is the best way to proceed?