I am a frequent GIB tourney player. And as far as I know the number of people who plays GIB events is increasing. This is a good thing.
As you can check this forum, I am not a "GIB complainer" Which means I do not come here and cry or whine for every move or bid GIB makes which does not fit in my personal "right things to do" list. And we all appreciate that you guys are doing your best to improve the GIB to make it more satisfying for the expectations of players. And there had been some improvements that I like, such as not having to play 5-2 m fit after I open 1 NT and GIB xfering to a minor with 5332 hands and so on.
But recently something went wrong and went wrong badly imo, in the process of improving GIB. First I thought it was just another bug to be fixed. I recently saw;
- GIB overcalling with 1 hcp, not even a weak jump overcall, it overcalled 1♠ with a T high suit and did not even have a wild shape.
- Frequently, alerts that explains the bid of GIB turning out to be totally wrong. Especially doubles made by GIB saying that 2+ card in the doubled suit. Happened 2 times and both times GIB had void in that suit.
- 2 times, when I made a T/O double over RHO 1m opening, GIB responds a simple 1 level suit, and when I tried to bid 1 NT with 19 hcp, it shows my bid as 11-14
I started to use, finally, web version of BBO about a year ago I believe. And the problems like the ones I listed and I am sure others have experienced different problems/bugs are OK up to a point. As long as they are not frequent incidents. However, particularly after last 2 or 3 updates, things have gotten worse. Not only regarding the frequency, but also regarding the scale of absurdity.
I don't know what others think, but I'd rather play with GIB which transfer to 5 card minor after my 1 NT opening than with the GIB which makes absurd things like I listed above or bids like the one below and which started to do these things frequently.
Would you please check the last 2-3 updates if it has anything to do with it, or these were just bugs which already existed and I started encountering them coincidentally after those updates.
Thanks
Timo
EDIT: Oh well, I got kicked out of tourney due to time while I was typing this in forums