October 2022 - 49

Newer Players
BY LYNN BERG
lynn7ntxx@icloud.com
A
t its best, playing bridge is a
creative process. It's not just
the memory of and application
of rules. With the billions of
card combinations and only 15 words
available to describe them, we have
to improvise to deal with new situations.
Add to this mix the personalities
and abilities of the players, and
we have a dynamic process which
changes all the time. No wonder the
results can be so different from one
table to another.
At its best, a partnership is also
a creative process. Its basis is an
agreement on bidding and defensive
style - what we call " Standard American "
or " 2/1 " or whatever. One of the
best ways to achieve this part of the
partnership is to fill out a convention
card together. The Laws require that
we each have a card and that they be
alike. Even if you play with the same
partner all the time, compare notes
and check the accuracy of your card
often. If you play with several different
partners, have a separate card for
each one. Not only are the opponents
entitled to an accurate description
of your agreements, but you and your
partner will play better if you both
know what you've agreed to.
If you aren't sure how to fill out
your card, get help. The two of you
can find a teacher, a director, or a
good player willing to mentor to go
over the card with you. You can also
find all sorts of information on the
ACBL website. Just type in " convention
card " in the search box on the
home page to access the great assets
of the League. Download the free
Convention Card Editor and you
can produce professional quality
cards for you and your partners. The
Startup Bridge
Creating a partnership
Conventional Wisdom series, which
is currently in the process of being
updated for the new convention card,
has a separate explanation for each
box on the card.
The more important element of
developing a partnership isn't so easy
to quantify. It begins with having a
compatible idea of the game. It's no
fun if you like taking chances and
your partner is not only timid but disapproving
when you push. Attitude
is more important than skill level.
Whether you are looking for a mentor
or a partner, don't commit long-term
until you've had a chance to make
sure you have the same approach to
the game. If you both love the game
but can't seem to get along, stay
friends but not partners. This applies
to spouses and best friends, too. How
important are rules? Can you differ a
little from your card without upsetting
your partner?
An important element of the partnership
is how you deal with adversity
- when things go wrong, how do
you behave? Can you tolerate lapses
of memory and mistakes? Can you
talk about disaster without placing
blame? Can you take the blame? Do
you know when to quit talking about
a problem because enough has been
said? If one of you loves analysis and
the other never wants to talk about
hands, you probably don't have a happy
future as partners.
How do you go about changing your
agreements? Are you comfortable
with your bidding system as it is
while your partner keeps wanting to
add gadgets and tweak the system?
Do you get a mental version of hives
when you're faced with new ideas?
Effective partnerships do change, but
carefully. Whether you have a comfortable,
successful team or you are
making changes because of problems,
add only one new item to your card
at a time. And remember that even
desired changes create stress as you
try to remember and to make adjustments
to deal with the new ideas.
Nothing is more satisfying than the
creation of an effective partnership.
West hands for the
October Bidding Box
Bid these hands with a partner. The East
hands are on page 52. The North-South
players are silent unless otherwise
noted. Scores on page 38-41.
Problem 1. North deals. None vul.
Q J 10 5 2 kA Q 5 4 l9 2 'J 8
Problem 2. East deals. N-S vul.
A J kA Q 10 7 l2 'A K Q 9 4 3
Problem 3. South deals. E-W vul.
South opens 2k.
A 10 8 7 6 kA Q lK 5 'K Q J 4
Problem 4. West deals. Both vul.
A kK Q 8 5 4 3 lQ J 2 'Q 10 9
Problem 5. North deals. N-S vul.
North opens 3l.
J 6 4 kK 8 7 lJ 7 'A K Q J 8
Problem 6. East deals. E-W vul.
9 kA K 9 8 4 lQ 9 8 'Q 7 6 4
Problem 7. South deals. Both vul.
A K 8 3 kK lK Q J 6 3 'K J 8
Problem 8. West deals. None vul.
A J 2 kQ 9 8 2 lA Q J '9 8 6
October 2022 | Bridge Bulletin |
49
October 2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of October 2022
