Things Nobody Told You

Most of the posts here on BBi5M are intended for intermediate players. This one is for our newer players, and may be a useful review for those with more experience.

Welcome to the world of duplicate bridge! I am delighted to see you at the table, and hope you find the game fascinating and fun.

Here are a few suggestions to help smooth your way into duplicate bridge. No fancy conventions here, no card-play wizardry; just some bridge-table equivalents for things you might have learned in kindergarten.

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Mom's First Rule of Bridge: "No one cares if you are good or bad; just don't be slow." (David Yates).

Let your fingers do the walking in the Yellow Pages, not in the bidding box or the cards in your hand. Make up your mind what to bid or play, and only then reach for the bid or the card that you want.

Get the opening lead on the table. Nobody can play bridge until your lead is on the table. Then, and only then, write the contract on your private scoresheet, and enter the contract in the Bridgemate if that's your job.  Don't worry; the contract will not change while you are choosing your opening lead. (See Mom's First Rule...)

Get the dummy on the table. After the opening lead, nobody can play bridge until dummy's cards are on the table. If you are the dummy, be ready to place your cards before writing the contract on your scoresheet or messing with the Bridgemate. (See Mom's First Rule...)

Do something even if it's wrong. If you don't know what to bid or play after 5-10 seconds of thought, I promise you that another twenty or thirty seconds are not going to help, and might make things worse. Just go with your first instinct. (See Mom's First Rule...) The only exception is before playing to the first trick; that is the appropriate time to think through the hand and make a plan.

"There is a special place in Hell for card snappers." (Peg Kaplan) 'Nuff said.

The Director's last name is "Please." There are very few automatic penalties in bridge. When things get messed up (a play out of turn, an insufficient bid, etc.) the Director's job is to restore equity as much as possible. When there is an irregularity at the table, summon the director -- "Director, Please" -- and let the Director sort out how the rules apply in that situation. We've all made every mistake in the book; after all, that's why there is a book!

"To err is human; to forgive, divine." I doubt that Alexander Pope was thinking about bridge back in 1711, but it's good bridge advice nonetheless. I am a better-than-average tournament player, and I make mistakes on more than half of the hands in a session. You will make mistakes. Partner will, too.

It's a game! It's supposed to be fun. So, have fun!

-- Ray 
Better Bridge in 5 Minutes. Guaranteed! (or the next one is free)